Wind Farm Data Tower example essay topic

Henry David Thoreau's book CAPE COD describes the natural beauty of the Cape. Thoreau, if alive today would be enraged because of Cape Wind Associates' plan to build 130 wind turbines. These turbines would stand 417 feet high on 24 square miles of Horseshoe Shoal (see attachment A) in Nantucket Sound. If approved this wind farm would be the nation's first and the largest in the world. The average output could provide about 75% of the Cape's usual electric demand (web visited March 3, 2003). However, the electricity generated would be sold to the New England power grid for all users and not directly benefit Cape Cod residents.

The potential developers, Cape Wind Associates, contend that this is "good for Cape Cod" and will create a new source of economic activity and in doing so make the Cape a domestic leader in renewable energy avenues (Coleman, Jack. March 8, 2003. Cape Cod Times Newspaper). As for the actual towers themselves, proponents state that Europe and Great Britain's ocean wind farms have been studied thoroughly revealing no harmful environmental impacts. Additionally, in Denmark they are sailing destinations for recreational boaters (see cover page). The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound wants Nantucket Sound to be designated a natural marine sanctuary, which would stop commercial development but would maintain recreational / commercial fishing, sailing and other current uses.

This ocean wind farm proposal has become a hot button issue to say the least. Opponents such as fishermen, homeowners, business people, pilots, and boaters believe the benefits of an unlimited supply of non-polluting local energy are negated by the towers visual scar and harmful impact on oceanfront homes. More importantly tourism, seabed shoals, the plethora of ocean birds and marine life - including the feeding grounds for the endangered Northern Right Whale all may be adversely affected. An example of wildlife hazards transpired in Altamont Pass California when several hundred birds, many of them raptors turned up dead in the surrounding area of 7000 wind turbines during a two-year study. Most of the birds had collided with the turbine blades.

The power company implemented technical measures such as painted blades and anti-perching devices, but these have only been somewhat effective (Raven and Berg. 2001. Environment). On March 7th 2003, I spoke with Legislative Liaison Joshua Mant from State Senator Murray's office (personal communication). He stated that there has been hundreds of calls and e-mails opposing this potential ocean construction on Nantucket Sound. This is the hottest issue in the district now and the Senator's stance is to wait until all the environmental studies are completed.

In closing because Mr. Mant is a Falmouth resident he personally contends that he is against these 130 wind turbines. The study that Senator Murray is referring to is U.S. Senator Kennedy's request for a $500,000.000 grant having the National Academy of Science analyze the impact of this offshore project. Senator Kennedy (March 2003) wrote in his press release. ".. there is no existing federal regulatory regime to govern the siting, construction, maintenance and ongoing oversight of such projects in federal waters". Indeed, Senator Kennedy is correct; we do not know what environmental impact will be. The ultimate unknown is the extent to which these turbines will effect Massachusetts' energy costs. As for other political leaders, only two, U.S. Congressman William Delahunt and State Attorney General Thomas Reply have had the courage to publicly oppose this wind farm.

Congressional Aid Mark Forest stated that Congressman Delahunt submitted a bill in Congress that would designate Nantucket Sound a National Marine Sanctuary (personal communication March 3, 2003). Another high level public figure opposing the wind farm is retired CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite. Mr. Cronkite, who lives on Martha's Vineyard said (Cape Cod Times. Jan. 30, 2003) "Those towers would be obstructive to various aspects of life on Nantucket Sound- fishing and recreational boating and very particularly to wildlife".

Cronkite filmed a commercial for the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound for free. This is airing on local cable systems. Sal No cella, a local fisherman from Mashpee, is upset over the proposed project and states the wind farm will "look like shit" out on the ocean where he fishes (personal communication April 4, 2003). Cape Wind Associates contend this is a low impact project and does not harm any wildlife or the local economy pursuant to tourism.

This project will bring new jobs and reduce Massachusetts dependence on fossil fuels and the accompanied pollution. However, they do admit visual impacts from the shore will be modest. Cape Wind states on clear days the wind turbines will look like small masts on the horizons depending on where you are standing. Mark Rodgers, Cape Wind spokesman, spells out how the company is currently working on obtaining permits via U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Admin., and Massachusetts Departments of Energy Facilities Siting Board, Executive Office Environmental Affairs, Coastal Zone Management (Cape Cod Times. Jan. 2003). The first round of the fight was lost when the Alliance was unsuccessful in getting a judge to block the wind farm data tower.

This tower will collect scientific data from air and sea, thus helping engineers to develop the suitable turbine design. Additionally, the data will reveal answers to State and Federal regulators before any more towers are erected and play a crucial role when Senator Kennedy's request is funded. Mechanically, the wind turbines operate the opposite of a fan. They use wind to make electricity. The up winds turn the blades (roughly 4-5 seconds a rotation) which spin a shaft connecting to a generator that creates electricity (see attachment B). An assemblage of underwater cables connect it to the mainland power grid.

Globally offshore wind farms are big business and the United Kingdom plans to build 38 turbines, towering 300 feet near Great Yarmouth, three miles out in the North Sea. Energy Minister Brian Wilson thinks that by the summer of 2003 there could be 76 megawatts of electricity generated. Ireland has approved plan's for the world's largest (200 turbines, bigger than Cape Wind's plan) wind farm located on a sand bank south of Dublin in the Irish Sea. Their Marine Minister, Frank Fahey predicts this will produce 10% of Ireland's electric needs and eliminate 13 million tons of greenhouse gases (BBC News. web). LOCATION is everything pursuant to a wind farm. Consequently, LOCATION for WIND is superior on Horseshoe Shoal, level 6 (see attachment C).

Cape Wind wants this site, but do the tourists / residents who ferry by Horseshoe Shoal on way to Nantucket? Cape Cod is about 80% ocean / beach tourism. The tourism percentage with regards to locations of the wind farms in Ireland and the U.K. is much lower. The battle will continue until all data is collected, this could take years. Million dollar oceanfront homes on the Cape and Islands could have some new distant masts with nightlights to gaze at! Cape Cod would then be America's first viable ocean wind farm.

Henry David Thoreau's spirit to preserve the natural beauty of the Cape will end in a courtroom.

Bibliography

BBC News. web, visited April 24, 2003 Cape Cod Times 2003.
web visited March 3, 2003.
Coleman, Jack. March 8, 2003.
Kennedy calls for Federal Study. Cape Cod Times Newpaper. Edel, Kent worth. Windmills. Invention and Technology, Volume 18 #4: 48 Learning, Jack. January 30, 2003.
Wind Farm: Ad enlists Cronkite's Prestige. Cape Cod Times Newpaper. Raven and Berg. 2001.
Environment Harcourt College, Orlando, FL. Page 279 Thoreau, Henry David. 1865.