Bird deaths causing concern about true value of wind farm

Houston Chronicle ^ | 12-21-2003 | Rone Tempest

[buffyt]

When the giant Altamont wind farm sprouted here two decades ago, the only major objections were aesthetic. Local residents didn't appreciate the forest of 7,000 ungainly wind towers cluttering their view.

No one, apparently, thought about the birds.

Since the phalanx of giant windmills began churning the air above the Altamont Pass east of San Francisco Bay, an estimated 22,000 birds have died, including hundreds of golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and other raptors, after flying into the spinning blades of the wind turbines.

Now, some environmental groups that routinely supported wind power as a clean, alternative source of electric power are opposing the renewal of permits for the wind farm, the largest in the world in number of turbines, until steps are taken to reduce the bird deaths.

"Renewing these permits without addressing the cumulative impacts of wind energy on migratory birds, especially raptor species, will give a black eye to wind power," said Michael Boyd, president of Californians for Renewable Energy, a Santa Cruz-based organization that generally supports alternative energy sources such as wind power. Joining in the effort is the Center for Biological Diversity, a national nonprofit group known for its litigious approach to wildlife protection.

The two organizations have asked the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to reverse a recent decision by a local zoning board granting permit renewals to some of the wind power operators. Quoting from recent research for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the California Energy Commission, they estimate that over the past 20 years, 22,000 birds have died in the Altamont windmills.

"When you turn on your lights you kill something, no matter what the source of electricity," said Paul Kerlinger.

[Mackey]

"Save the planet. Kill yourself."

That's the motto of those hate-yourself, hate-America, hate-God loonies in a nutshell, ain't it?!? To them I say:

"Save the humans. Kill yourself."

[henderson field]

Perhaps a federal program could be started in which birds are cross-bred with bats to produce a bird that has radar and can avoid the blades. Or we could station an environmentalist at the base of each windmill with a stick to ward off the birds.

[snopercod]

I drove through Tehachapi Pass on a windy day three weeks ago. 90% of the thousands of wind generators there were not turning at all. I assume they were broken.

[Age of Reason]

"When you turn on your lights you kill something, no matter what the source of electricity," said Paul Kerlinger

And the more immigrants we import, the more people there will be turning on lights, and more dead birds we'll have.

Save the birds. End immigration. We are out of room and resources.

[Bernard Marx]

Ok, let's all feel guilty about getting out of bed in the morning. We are all monsters who kill every time we move our monstrous carcasses.

Yes, the only solution to this crisis is to get rid of human beings. I propose we all commit suicide ASAP, starting with the Greenies of course, since they're the most concerned about the problem. When they've all offed themselves I'll do the same...I promise I will...don't you believe me?

[chiller]

Not once this news gets out. Change the plans !

[chiller]

pigeon slicers

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm warming to this idea...for my back yard.

[Grut]

...over the past 20 years, 22,000 birds have died in the Altamont windmills.

7000 windmills x 20 years = 140,000 windmill years. Divide 22,000 bird deaths by 140,000 and we get .16 birds/windmill/year. Hard to see where there's a lot of room for improvement.

[al baby]

drove through Tehachapi Pass on a windy day three weeks ago. 90% of the thousands of wind generators there were not turning at all. I assume they were broken.

They were showing solidarty with the grocery store unions and went out on strike

[stylin_geek]

I did not think it was possible to make an ugly place uglier until I saw the wind turbines in the Tehachipi area.

[Tax-chick]

Ground raptor meat is an excellent substitute for hamburger in most recipes. Someone's missing a real business opportunity here.

[pageonetoo]

Divide 22,000 bird deaths by 140,000 and we get .16 birds/windmill/year.

I think I saw that many starlings in a flock last year in NC. I see nothing to be worried about. Besides, these generators are not flying, they are rotating, and not all that fast. Crying about nothing.

Glass windows kill more birds each year, when birds try to fly into them!

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Is there some kind of STUPID PERSON award we can give to this person???????????????????????

I'm not sure if he's smart enough to qualify...

[speekinout]

Why are the Dutch windmills considered picturesque and the US windmills an eyesore?

Dutch windmills are mostly brick structures in an isolated location. US windmills are windmill "farms" with very many ugly metal structures covering entire hillsides.

Have you ever seen one of the farmer's fields with just one oil rig painted to look like a grasshopper? Those are kind of neat (IMO) and a lot different than an entire oil field.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Damn birds! I was innocently crusing along I-40 going west and a damn bird flew right into the spokes n my Harley's front wheel! Beny a couple of spokes and made a bit of a mess of my gas tank and chromed lowers....and I feel really guilty!

But was the bird tasty? That's what I want to know...

[kittymyrib]

I see no problem with this. In a few BILLION years, birds will have developed the ability to sense these windmills and avoid them if the evolutionists are right.

[Polybius]

Why are the Dutch windmills considered picturesque and the US windmills an eyesore?

Because they are?

[boris]

ping

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!