 Email this article to a friend  Printable Version FREE Email Newsletter
(NaturalNews) With recent energy blackouts impairing large U.S. cities, experts say the answer to America's energy problems may be found in wind power.
Though wind power currently accounts for less than 1 percent of the nation's electricity, the 2,400 megawatts of power produced by domestic wind-energy parks in 2005 was enough to power 650,000 American homes for a full year. President Bush predicts that wind energy could someday provide as much as 20 percent of U.S. electricity, much like Germany, which generates 10 to 25 percent of its power from wind.
Opponents of wind power say the large turbines -- some up to 40 meters long -- will mar scenic landscapes along beach areas, which make ideal spots for wind energy fields. Critics also cite bird safety and difficulty with integration into existing utility grids. However, John Dunlop, senior outreach representative with the American Wind Energy Association, says wind power can be easily integrated into the grid, "and it doesn't need backup power or changes to the utility system."
Wind power advocates say more remote locations could also be utilized to collect power without disrupting the skyline or impeding farmers using wind turbine land, as cattle can graze around the bases of the tall turbine poles, and crops can also grow around the poles. However, since people don't tend to live in such remote areas, transporting the energy to population-dense areas could be problematic.
While Steve Fetter, dean of the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy, says wind power likely couldn't provide more than 5 or 10 percent of the nation's power, Dunlop says the United States' potential production could be closer to that of Germany: "Germany leads the entire world in installed wind-energy capacity, but Minnesota alone has five times the wind-energy resources as Germany. We have the capacity."
###
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
(FREE) Thursday evening, Dec. 3 at 6pm Pacific (9pm Eastern), call in to hear the NaturalNews Talk Hour with special guests Nick Stern, Sun Warrior Protein & KC Craichy, LivingFuel - "Super Foods, Optimal Health" - Register via email to receive call-in number:
|
|
Explore NaturalPedia.com, the internet's largest natural health encyclopedia of knowledge, covering over 50,000 topics. It's free!
Visit NaturalPedia.com.
|
 FREE Report: The Five Best Anti-Viral Products to Beat Influenza, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and SARS
• Top anti-viral remedies
• Where to get them now
• Four things to avoid
• Become self-reliant
• Boost your family safety
Click here to read the FREE report now.
|
W.H.O. Declares Global Pandemic
Turn FEAR into Confidence!
Listen to the complete 3.5 hour recording on 4 audio CDs of the Health Ranger's Swine Flu Advanced Preparedness Course, covering natural anti-virals, family safety, infrastructure disruptions, quarantine, preparedness gear and much more.
Testimonials:
"Mike Adams' preparedness course turned our fears into confidence. This is POWERFUL information, coming from a trusted source. If you want to save yourself countless hours researching and getting prepared and if you want to do everything in your power to protect your family, I highly recommend the Health Ranger’s Advanced Preparedness Course."
- N. Nelson (Arizona)
"This is packed information no one should miss."
- T. Valenzuela
"Thanks Mike... during this class you covered prevention and preparedness from A to Z with integrity, brave honesty and outstanding knowledge! Thank you for your steadfast, thorough and cool-headed approach to well being. With deep gratitude for your service." - Bev
Available NOW for immediate shipping.
100% satisfaction guarantee
 NEW Product: Valley of Longevity Shampoo from the Health Ranger
• 98% Organic
• 100% Natural
• 100% Fragrance Free!
• No SLS
• No Parabens
• No synthetic chemicals
• FREE shipping in U.S. on orders over $75
Click here to read more...
|
|
|
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: 
