Get wind power facts straight
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Published: August 6, 2005
avid Hoopes's Aug 3 letter claims that wind-power electricity plants provide "miniscule productivity" and that "their complete absence of reliability" has been well documented. I invite Mr. Hoopes to identify the sources of his claims. The sources I read paint a different picture: 1) large-scale wind farms generate electricity at rates competitive with fossil-fuel plants, even after accounting for windless days; 2) they cost less to build and operate and are very reliable; 3) they produce none of the pollution or safety hazards associated with fossil-fuel and nuclear plants; 4) their impact on wildlife has been exaggerated. Readers who wish to reach an informed opinion about wind power should go to www.awea.org and www.cleanpowervt.org.
There may be a legitimate debate about whether the aesthetic impacts of wind turbines exceed their economic benefit. But a debate based on ignorance and false claims will lead to bad decisions. In a few years Vermonters may face large rate increases as Vermont Yankee is retired and the Hydro Quebec contract expires. Neither tourism nor any other Vermont industry is likely to fare well with rates exceeding 16 cents per kilowatt-hour. An understanding of the facts will convince most Vermonters that wind power should be included as part of Vermont's energy future.
Rick West
Worcester
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