[at-l] NIMBYISM

[Bob C." <ellen@clinic.net (Bob C.)]

"...Your  precious "viewshed" is not worth global warming, acid rain, pipelines,
or oil spills." says Terrapin.

And  he's  obviously  right.  But  wind  towers  on  all  the  mountains  of the
Appalachians  won't  prevent  "global  warming,  acid  rain,  pipelines,  or oil
spills." either.

 If  the  argument is that we have to use alternative energy regardless of where
 and  how much damage might be caused, let's start with an extreme case and work
 back.  I consider the Appalachian Trail the nation's premier national park. one
 of  the  few, perhaps the only National Park where to enjoy it, you have to get
 out of your car and walk.

 Despite  that  it  has  as many visitors -- and visitors who tend to spend more
time  -- then all the more recognized parks. So if we are seeking maximum energy
to  minimize  "global  warming,  acid  rain,  pipelines,  or  oil spills," while
minimally impacting users, let's start by damming the Grand Canyon.

You  say,  that's  comparing apples and oranges. Okay, let's put a wind tower on
Half  Dome,  and  arrays  in  Tuolumne Meadows, the Northern Cascades, the Grand
Tetons....

Yes.  Hydro Turbines and Wind Turbines are simply ways of using solar energy. As
is the burning of fossil fuels, for that matter.

This  nation needs a rational energy policy. Forty-story high wind towers, 2,000
yards  from  the  trail  in  one  of the wildest and most remote sections in the
wildest and most remote eastern state does nothing to promote a rational policy.
It  does  the  opposite.  It  continues  and  expands  on the present illogic --
establishing a very dangerous precedent.

Weary



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