Archive for September 22, 2009
Edgewood Mayor Expresses Wind Turbine Concerns
Editor’s note: NM-Central.com has published several articles raising questions regarding Edgewood’s approach to alternative energy: Edgewood Considering Windmills Without Requiring Permits, Everyone Knows It’s Windy, and Edgewood Energy Planning Needs More Diverse Approach. While we remain supportive of properly planned and sited wind projects, we wish to reiterate our concern that not all projects are appropriate for all places, and there are certainly places within Edgewood’s existing boundaries that would not likely be appropriate as sites for wind turbines. We again call on Edgewood not to rush to judgment on this issue, and not to simply brush off concerns simply because it may take time and effort to resolve them. Once the money is spent and a wind turbine is up and running, it’s a bit late to come to the realization that one should have looked at the project more closely. We also caution Edgewood that the Town could well face legal action from cell tower proponents who may feel that they are receiving unequal treatment under the law if they allow wind turbines to be built without restrictions. Of course, the cell tower proponents could go with a “stealth” design that makes the tower look like a wind turbine…
by Bob Stearley, Mayor, Town of Edgewood
It is important for the World to develop energy alternatives to oil and gas. Wind energy generated by small turbines in Edgewood, however, does not appear to be an economical choice at this time. The cost of even a small system (~2.5 kW) is around $20,000. A good-case scenario might be for it to be built on a 63 foot tall tower, and to be located in an area where there are no buildings, trees, or hills, and a (computer predicted) wind class of 3, where it would be predicted to generate an average of 440 kWh per month and a savings of $58 per month. If there are buildings, hills and trees in the area, and the predicted wind class is 2, the energy generation would be 270 kWh and a savings of $36 per month. If the tower is 35 feet tall the (predicted) savings would be only $30 per month. Even if the Federal Government provides $5,400 (of our tax money) to subsidize the cost, the net cost of $14,600 is still out of line with a potential return of from $30 to $58 per month. »» Edgewood Mayor Expresses Wind Turbine Concerns