I live in a part of Wyoming where the winds blow regularly with hurricane force–literally.
Weathermen break our forecast into two parts–sustained winds and wind gusts, as in “We will have SUNNY skies today with sustained winds at 40-50 miles per hour with gusts up to 70!” Somehow they always make it sound so…bubbly.
So it’s really no surprise that places like this are quite attractive to the wind industry. Just south of my home a large wind farm is planned to break ground any day. To the west turbines are springing up all across the sage covered prairie. To the southwest plans are speeding along for the largest wind farm in the world.
As a hunter and angler, I have a certain glass half empty/glass half full attitude toward this massive development.
On the half empty side, we here in Wyoming, and indeed across the west have been burned many times by the promise of responsible development. Every turbine that goes up on public land represents more acres that are disturbed, more acres that are off limits and more acres that are no longer wildlife friendly.
So it goes without saying that a little foresight would be a welcome addition to the expansion of these renewable projects.
And here at TU, as anglers, as hunters, as conservationists–we have a stake in that.
Enter: The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act or H.R. 6154
This bill would put money from renewable royalties back into fish and wildlife, preparing for a future where we can have both: clean energy and clean, cool water–domestically sourced power and healthy game herds. It would create a competitive lease system, which would help plan those wind and solar farms, and put them in places that make sense for everyone involved. And perhaps most importantly, as a bipartisan bill, wonder of wonders, it actually stands a chance of passing congress.
Which brings us to the half full side. These are renewable energy sources for a country that desperately needs to plan for long term energy needs. Clean energy is a good thing. Developing said energy responsibly and thoughtfully? Also a good thing. Developing it with a goal of maintaining our game herds and coldwater fisheries?
Not just good–revolutionary.
Take action to support this bill
By Walt Gasson July 24, 2012 - 3:01 pm
Great point, Shauna. My family’s been in Wyoming for more energy booms (and busts) than we can count. Until we can develop energy that’s clean and sustainable and compatible with the other uses of this wild country, that cycle will continue to repeat itself. With the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, we’ve got a chance to do just that. Thanks for telling us about it!
By David Vigue July 24, 2012 - 8:46 pm
Before everyone gets giddy about this, do some research on some of the issues involved with putting up the tower for the wind turbines. Huge foundations are required to support the up to 400′ tall tower which means a lot of excavation work and concrete pours. Multiple towers need to be erected to make it economically feasible. There is considerable noise coming from the rotating blades. There is also a strobe effect as the blades rotate and create shadows. They will most likely be up on a ridge making them visible for miles. The 100′+ long blades can throw ice formed on the blades a considerable distance. I don’t know what affect the noise will have on wildlife, but I’m sure the area will be restricted so it doesn’t matter. Other sites have had issues killing the local bat population and causing interference with bird migrations.
And these are the things that come to mind. I’m sure there are other issues as well. I’m not saying that it’s a bad idea, I just think more thought is required before everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Bottom line, if TU wasn’t going to get part of the trust fund, would they care about this?