Energy Opportunity for Delaware
December 6th, 2006 by PerryAs NRG Energy attempts to get approval for constructing a second coal fired electricity generating plant at Indian River, Delawareans are being presented with an opportunity to construct wind powered generators just off of our coast. We are fortunate to have near ideal conditions for wind power, and can supply all our electrical needs and then some from the wind.
Coal burning not only increases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into our air, but also produces deadly mercury compounds plus an array of toxic gases like oxides of sulfur and nitrogen and finally, emphysema and lung cancer producing fly ash. Moreover, the strip mining of coal lays waste our mountains and streams of the likes of West Virginia and Kentucky. NRG’s proposal claims they can do carbon sequestration, “putting the stuff away somewhere”, but the technology is not yet economically feasible, according to Leonard Schwartz, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UD.
A documentary film called “Kilowatt Ours” demonstrates these negative aspects of coal mining and burning, yet our national government has been promoting the coal industry, exactly the opposite of what we should be doing. This film will be shown again in Sussex County in early January, along with a presentation by Dr. Willett Kempton from UD. When the date is set, I will announce it here.
Since the decision on the future of power generation in Delaware is now being considered by the Legislature, it is imperative that citizens contact their Representatives and Senators to express concern about another coal fired plant at Indian River.
For additional information on this topic:
http://abettersussex.blogspot.com/
http://www.cleartheair.org/regional/factsheets/factsheetDEfinal.pdf
December 6th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Good post Perry, I had hoped to make the first showing of Kilowatt Hours but was otherwise engaged. Guess I’ll shoot for the January date …
Congrats on the first blog entry …
December 7th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
The wind power guy was on the radio tonight speaking half truths about how visible those things would be from the coast. I like to look out across the ocean, and a giant wind farm would spoil the view.
December 8th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
It is a question of priorities. There is no major decision that does not have it’s downsides. Somehow I don’t think there are too many people so self-centered that they would consider preserving a view more important than reducing mercury and fly ash contamination of the air we breathe, contaminated by coal burning power plants. And then there is also the greenhouse gas emission reduction achieved by a switch to wind power from coal burning to generate our electricity. Finally, in the longer run, it will be cheaper.
December 8th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
put up pictures of what it will really look like and see how huge the uproar will be.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Health issues from burning coal, global warming from burning fossil fuels like coal, and the cost of electricity will be much more important to most people than a few wind turbines off of our coast, in my view.
Let the people decide through their representatives in Dover. We should not pass on this opportunity!
There are plenty of other states concerned about this issue: http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/120806EB.shtml
“Facing a mandate to slash toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, 23 states are thumbing their noses at a federal cleanup plan and are instead developing their own far tougher plans to deal with mercury.â€
December 9th, 2006 at 9:49 am
in the grand scheme of things the longterm health concerns ARE more important, BUT the immediacy of an ugly view is something very apparent and real to everyone, while potential, future, tough to measure benefits might as well be complete fiction to most people. You give people way too much credit.
December 9th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
You sound just like Teddy Kennedy — NIMBY.
Moreover, apparently you don’t buy into global warming!
And, you are also in favor of steeply increasing electricity costs.
That’s novel!
Actually, I find the huge windmills rather attractive, compared to offshore oil drilling platforms.
One potential problem not mentioned so far is that they do produce a low frequency sound that could have harmful effects on humans.
December 9th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
I wasn’t speaking for myself necessarily. I was saying that the eyesore factor will be more enraging to your average resident than the intangible, maybe they don’t understand/believe, potential benefits.
December 10th, 2006 at 7:23 am
Point taken. Of course the complete list of pros and cons needs to be publicized so that a hopefully rational decision can be made.
You should hear the presentation of UD’s Dr. Willett Kempton on the subject. As I promised, I will give notice for his next public presentation, which should occur sometime in early January.
So far to me the issue is almost a no-brainer: Delaware should choose to go with the wind, ASAP!
December 10th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
I would much rather see a local company like De. Elec Co-op install and maintain wind farms off our coast, rather than some foreign company from Europe. I sounds like our electricity costs will increase with this scheme.
Why jump on the first bandwagon to come along, instead of doing it for ourselves?
December 11th, 2006 at 9:30 am
The question is, is there a DE company who can jump in on wind power? I am not aware of any.
Academically, DE is in the thick of it, as I already referenced UD’s Dr. Willett Kempton and his group. For a more comprehensive view of UD’s involvement, you can consult the following:
http://www.ocean.udel.edu/windpower/
Regarding East Coast activities in this wind power arena, there is information in the following abstract for a thesis on the topic:
http://www.ocean.udel.edu/windpower/docs/whitaker-thesis.pdf
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
As I promised to inform you, the next presentation by Dr. Willett Kempton of UD on wind power for Delaware will be tomorrow evening, January 4th, 6:30 at the Lewes Library on Kings Highway. The film “Kilowatt Ours”, an excellent film on the problems with coal fired electricity generation, will also be shown. Light refreshments will be served.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
If you are planning to attend Perry, would love to hear your report on this presentation as I am very interested in this topic, but unfortunately not in the area at this time. Thanks.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
BTW Perry, nice play on words, “Light” Refreshments. They should also serve “Energy” drinks