[biblewonk]

I just read in my latest issue of windpower monthly that the latest poll in England showed that 80 percent of the population is pro wind power and even more interestingly, 70 percent are pro wind even if it is very near their house. This with a huge propaganda campaign against wind going on right now in England. Another interesting fact is that when people have windpower developed near their town, they become even more pro-wind. It is still very rare and most people don't even know what a modern windturbine looks or sounds like or how much power it can produce at what price.

[LisaS]

Thanks. I will see if I can find it on line. However, these surveys are usually conducted by and for the wind industry. That said, what would you expect a xx (fill in your favorite New England state) Liberal who voted for Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry to say when asked if they are pro-wind? Like most liberals, they are ill-informed on the subject and permit their emotions to decide for them - in this case they wouldn't be caught dead saying they oppose alternative energy sources.

I have seen these polls and, equally important, have read the counters to them (of course the opposition surveys are never picked up by anything but the very local media).

The wind companies go to local public hearings with these bogus surveys (along with the ones that claim increases in property valuations within the viewsheds)and the small townsfolk look at each other and wonder why they don't feel that way. The anti-wind crowd is politely told that they are selfishly trying to protect their own backyard and that they are standing in the way of progress - nothing could be further from the truth.

Wind is simply too unreliable (averaging output at 30-35% capacity) - it is hard to justify placing these massive towers on our New England ridgelines. The gain is simply not there.

You are correct, there are places where wind power makes sense. And N. Dakota is one such place where land is not productive but the wind sure does blow. Even if we turned N. Dakota into a huge wind electricity plant for the US, it is far too remote. Cost of electricity distribution would be prohibitive.

[LisaS]

Oops - my mistake. I misread England for New England in your posting. Well, anyway, the UK would vote for Kerry is asked:)

The surveys I referenced were conducted in MA and VT on a regional level (not statewide) by the wind industry that showed equivalent percentages.

--Lisa