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Somerset (PA) wind farm proposal generates a tempest over birds (just get the Kennedys on it then!)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | September 04, 2007 | Don Hopey

Posted on 09/04/2007 3:12:43 PM PDT by buzzyboop

CAIRNBROOK, Pa. -- Since 1989, Angelo and Marian Mincone have made weekly 80-mile trips from their home in Allegheny County to an Appalachian ridge top to count the migrating raptors that ride the thermal winds.

Mr. Mincone fears that a Gamesa Energy USA proposal to build 30 wind turbines on nearby Shaffer Mountain could endanger the hawks, falcons and, especially, the eastern golden eagles that fly low to feed along the Allegheny Front. He doesn't want to see a repeat of the mistake that has resulted in the deaths of more than 4,700 birds, including 1,300 raptors, each year at the much larger Altamont Pass wind project near San Francisco.

"Those raptors at Altamont are killed by the turbines because they're flying low and hunting, just like our birds here are hunting," said Mr. Mincone, who last year helped the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch count nine species of raptors and a record 18,000 birds.

"The golden eagle is our big concern because the population is only 1,000, and one-third of them go through the wind turbine site and could get whacked."

(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: nimby; turbines; windpower
Perhaps we should drop in a coal-fired plant or (horror of horrors) a NUCULUR station... actually, nuclear is a fine idea.
1 posted on 09/04/2007 3:12:50 PM PDT by buzzyboop
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To: buzzyboop
Since 1989, Angelo and Marian Mincone have made weekly 80-mile trips from their home in Allegheny County to an Appalachian ridge top to count the migrating raptors that ride the thermal winds.

Do they walk that 80 miles or drive? Seems like someone is creating an unnecessarily large carbon footprint just for bird watching.

2 posted on 09/04/2007 3:19:00 PM PDT by OCC
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To: OCC

Where is Commander Ted “Quixote” Kennedy when you need him?


3 posted on 09/04/2007 3:22:39 PM PDT by A_Tradition_Continues (THE NEXT GENERATION CONSERVATIVE)
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To: A_Tradition_Continues
Migrating Raptors.


4 posted on 09/04/2007 3:27:48 PM PDT by OCC
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To: buzzyboop
Perhaps they'd appreciate people sending them their favourite fricassee recipes.


5 posted on 09/04/2007 3:28:56 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: buzzyboop
I just drove by these windmills last Thursday coming back from Gettysburg. They are really hugh.

Also,they are not far from the flight 93 Memorial.

6 posted on 09/04/2007 3:29:55 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (Sorry Mr. BOR.)
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To: buzzyboop

Just how much excess energy and pollution are these folks producing with their weekly 80 mile trips?


7 posted on 09/04/2007 3:34:23 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: buzzyboop
Windfarm Benefits.

8 posted on 09/04/2007 3:39:47 PM PDT by ricks_place
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To: 4yearlurker
They are really hugh.

Are you series?

9 posted on 09/04/2007 4:04:50 PM PDT by OCC
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To: buzzyboop

I have driven past them as well. Pretty sure there is enough space for birds to fly over the treetops and not get hit.


10 posted on 09/04/2007 4:13:45 PM PDT by ikka
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To: OCC
I am hughly series about this subject.
11 posted on 09/04/2007 4:24:32 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (Sorry Mr. BOR.)
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To: 4yearlurker

Hugh would be proud :)


12 posted on 09/04/2007 4:26:57 PM PDT by OCC
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To: ikka

Just how many birds are killed by these windmills? Any? Or is this another lib scam to try to force back to the 1800’s?


13 posted on 09/04/2007 4:44:10 PM PDT by MPJackal ("From my cold dead hands.")
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To: buzzyboop
There is a trailer house in Nimbyville?
14 posted on 09/05/2007 7:04:19 AM PDT by Between the Lines (I am very cognizant of my fallibility, sinfulness, and other limitations.)
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