Lawmaker Backs off Rules for Wind Energy - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Lawmaker Backs of Rules for Wind Energy

By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

(06-06) 15:50 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

A House committee chairman from a coal-producing state backed away
Wednesday from requiring regulations for the wind energy industry to
protect birds and bats, rules the industry said would halt development
of wind farms as an alternative to coal.

Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., had put into
an energy bill a requirement that the Interior Department regulate the
siting and operation of energy wind turbines to ensure the safety of
wildlife.

His action unleashed intense lobbying by the wind industry and renewable
energy advocates, who argued that such restrictions would stop wind farm
development at a time when wind is viewed as the most viable renewable
alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power for producing electricity.

As his committee began final crafting of the energy package Wednesday,
Rahall relented and agreed to support, instead, a less-sweeping measure
offered by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. It calls on the Interior Department
to develop "guidelines" for protection of wildlife from wind turbines, not
regulations.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/06/06/national/w152953D55.DTL

[NNadir]

1. If someone thinks this is a coal vs. wind deal...

...they don't know very much about either coal or wind.

They are not alternatives to one another.

The wind industry will have almost zero effect on the coal industry.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Another Curve

I know you don't like them, but that's the way it goes.

[NNadir]

3. I have nothing against curves.

Curves with a modicum of mathematical knowledge are important tools.

What I have something against is misleading units and misrepresentations of what they mean.

First off, power is not energy. A mega"watt" is really misleading if the "plant" operates 20% of the time.

Secondly you cannot shut off a coal plant to replace it with wind unless you are willing to <em>waste</em> vast amounts of energy, the energy that is lost heating the coal plant back to boiling after it cools. Coal plants are <em>continuous</em> energy.

I <em>am</em> going to throw up if I see one of these silly curves, but not because I have something against curves.

Denmark has no plan to phase out fossil fuels, by the way.

[snappyturtle]

4. Thank you so much for this information. K&R

I had posted the issue earlier yesterday and was most concerned that Rahal's efforts would be damaging to the wind industry and have more sweeping negative implications for establishing renewable energy resources in our future. Again, thank you.

[snappyturtle]

5. My e-mail to Rep. Markey:

Dear Representative Markey,

Thank you so much for your decisive input into needed changes in Subtitle D of H.R.2337 yesterday! Wow!

Many of us at Democratic Underground were dismayed by Congressman Rahal's proposal..."guidelines" we want, to protect wildlife, however, excessive fines,possible imprisonment and more regulations we saw as detrimental to a viable renewable energy source: wind power. THANK YOU!

Sincerely yours,
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