Vermont Yankee nuclear plant currently provides 36% of the
state's electricity. Its operating license expires in 2012,
and may not be renewed for security, safety or environmental
reasons. Shortly thereafter our contracts with Hydro-Quebec
will expire. Hydro-Quebec provides 35% of our power, but Canada's
growing power needs make future supply from Hydro-Quebec doubtful.
Yet Vermont's demands will certainly continue to grow, especially
since conversion to cleaner forms of transportation will also
greatly increase demands for electricity.
How
will Vermont make up for the loss of these supplies and increasing
demands in an environmentally responsible way?
Conservation and energy efficiency should be high priorities
for smart energy planning, but these efforts will not eliminate
the need for additional generating sources. Wind energy is
a viable complement to other renewable energy sources necessary
to meet our future building, industrial and transportation
needs.
In the very near future, we will also need to move away from
our dependence on fossil fuel in the transportation sector
in order to slow the effects of climate change on Earth’s
ecosystems. This will create an enormous new demand for clean,
renewably generated electricity such as provided by these
windfarms.
If we refuse to develop wind energy in Vermont we will be
even more dependent on high priced out-of-state sources of
power, potentially hazardous nuclear power or fossil fuels
that pollute from extraction to end burning.
Generating electricity by burning fossil fuels causes serious
environmental damage in Vermont. Climate change and acid rain
may destroy Vermont’s maple-beech-birch forest by the
year 2100, and our average temperature at that time is expected
to be closer to Richmond, Virginia’s. Global warming
threatens Vermont’s ski industry, our fall foliage tourist
season and our sugaring industry – all vital elements
of Vermont’s tradition and culture. Recent studies show
that up to 37% of Earth’s species may be at risk of
extinction by 2050 due to escalating global warming rates.
Vermont's environment will be devastated by carrying on with
"business as usual". Wind power is a positive step
we can easily take to help reverse these impacts.
Fairwind Vermont believes that wind powered electric generation
is an important part of the solution to these environmental
and supply problems. Wind power is clean, renewable and sustainable.
The fuel is (and will forever remain) free, plentiful in Vermont
and surprisingly predictable over broad periods of time. Various
state agencies, the Legislature, major environmental and citizen
groups have all recommended adding wind power into Vermont’s
energy mix. For environmental and power demand reasons, we
urgently need to move forward with a reasonable amount of
wind power in Vermont.
Then
What is the Problem ?
Windfarm
development in Vermont requires access to higher elevation
ridgelines, which have the most dependable wind flow. Some
people see ridgelines as scenic resources, which they do not
want developed. Some see risks to property values near windfarms,
wildlife habitats and tourism.
But our choice is not between windfarm development and doing
nothing. Environmental, societal and energy priorities can
no longer be separated. All sources of electric generation
have environmental impacts and supply issues, so either we
chose renewable sources including wind, or much more damaging
and risky fossil fuel sources or nuclear power with all of
its security and waste disposal problems.
Fairwind Vermont believes wind energy resources can be developed
responsibly in a manner fair to all of Vermont’s residents,
communities and to its uniquely beautiful and fragile environment.
Fairwind Vermont believes that the inclusion of wind in our
energy policy, respectful of all parties concerned, can be
achieved in a timely fashion through an honest and open discussion
of the issues and the facts.
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The
choice is yours… pick a power source for your
grandchildren. |
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