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Wind turbines could more than meet U.S. electricity needs, report says
Los Angeles Times ^ | 4/2/09 | Jim Tankersley

Posted on 04/02/2009 11:50:21 PM PDT by Nachum

Reporting from Arlington, Va. -- Wind turbines off U.S. coastlines could potentially supply more than enough electricity to meet the nation's current demand, the Interior Department reported Thursday.

Simply harnessing the wind in relatively shallow waters -- the most accessible and technically feasible sites for offshore turbines -- could produce at least 20% of the power demand for most coastal states, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said, unveiling a report by the Minerals Management Service that details the potential for oil, gas and renewable development on the outer continental shelf.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: electricity; needs; turbines; wind
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Riiiight...
1 posted on 04/02/2009 11:50:21 PM PDT by Nachum
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To: Nachum

Well that’s good for coastal areas. How about the loss during transmission to the interior parts of the country, or did the geniuses not consider that?


2 posted on 04/02/2009 11:51:47 PM PDT by ABQHispConservative (A Blue Dog Democrat is an oxyMoron!)
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To: Nachum

at 50 times the present electricity prices


3 posted on 04/02/2009 11:52:47 PM PDT by GeronL (http://tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com)
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To: Nachum

Don’t call it LaLa Land for nothin’!


4 posted on 04/02/2009 11:55:56 PM PDT by antceecee (Bless us Father.. have mercy on us and protect us from evil.)
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To: ABQHispConservative
"How about the loss during transmission to the interior parts of the country, or did the geniuses not consider that?"

Energize the economy by investing in superconducting transmission lines...no energy loss.

5 posted on 04/02/2009 11:56:42 PM PDT by blam
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To: ABQHispConservative

Right here in Appalachia, we’re going to burn the coal for electricity. We’ll let Obama know when our supplies are close to exhaustion-—and tell him not to hold his breath...


6 posted on 04/03/2009 12:00:53 AM PDT by Rudder (The Main Stream Media is Our Enemy---get used to it.)
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To: Nachum

It’ll never get past the Sierra Club and the California Coastal Commission.


7 posted on 04/03/2009 12:03:52 AM PDT by kaehurowing
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To: Nachum

Now what’s going to happen to the climate(s), when all these windmill’s suck all the energy out of the breeze(s)? $ says they’ve not a clue and it’s just the thought that counts.


8 posted on 04/03/2009 12:04:47 AM PDT by spunkets
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To: Nachum
Nuclear is less ugly

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

9 posted on 04/03/2009 12:06:40 AM PDT by ansel12 (Romney (guns)"instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people")
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To: Nachum

Hey Obama! Blow Me!


10 posted on 04/03/2009 12:21:37 AM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ("It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
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To: ansel12

Isn’t amazing how engineering gets in the way of socialism? Or is it vice versa?


11 posted on 04/03/2009 12:24:06 AM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ("It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
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To: Nachum

How many houses do the windmills in Tehachapi serve? How many windmills are up there?! Most of them are idle. What’s the point?


12 posted on 04/03/2009 12:27:04 AM PDT by abigailsmybaby (No taxation without lubrication.)
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To: Nachum
Simply harnessing the wind in relatively shallow waters -- the most accessible and technically feasible sites for offshore turbines -- could produce at least 20% of the power demand for most coastal states, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said,...

Could? That's strong. 20%? That isn't quite 100% is it? Of coastal states? So interior states aren't even considered when talking about "meeting U.S. electrical needs?" That has to make it easier.

Apart from that nitpicking; I wonder how saturated with windmills America's coastal waters would need to be to provide "20% of the coastal states" electricity.

13 posted on 04/03/2009 12:27:55 AM PDT by TigersEye (Cloward-Piven Strategy)
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To: TigersEye

I have no doubt that if you put solar collectors on the roof tops of all the homes on the Southwest you would have enough electricity to power the nation. But who’s footing the bill?


14 posted on 04/03/2009 12:40:37 AM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ("It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
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To: Nachum

This would make GE rich. That is all.


15 posted on 04/03/2009 12:42:11 AM PDT by Cheap_Hessian
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To: ansel12

Those things are freakin ugly.


16 posted on 04/03/2009 12:44:04 AM PDT by kamikaze2000
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To: Hoosier-Daddy

Better solar panels than windmills. But do you want your rooftop to be part of a national electrical grid?


17 posted on 04/03/2009 12:49:27 AM PDT by TigersEye (Cloward-Piven Strategy)
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To: TigersEye

Well, as long as I own the land rights and the air rights, but I concede your point.


18 posted on 04/03/2009 12:58:39 AM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ("It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
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To: Hoosier-Daddy

It wouldn’t be a bad idea if the government didn’t act like it owned everything and everyone they have any connection to. People who have solar electric sell their excess electricity back to the utilities now. That’s good for them. I just get a funny feeling when I try to imagine a national program of residential power generators.


19 posted on 04/03/2009 1:07:20 AM PDT by TigersEye (Cloward-Piven Strategy)
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To: Nachum

Ummm..., it reminds me of the pictures of the oil derricks in people’s front and back yards, during the oil boom in Oklahoma and Texas. I can just see it now..., those wind turbines in everyone’s yard — front and back — and everywhere you look. That would really make it a “sight to behold”... LOL...


20 posted on 04/03/2009 1:12:56 AM PDT by Star Traveler
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