I just read this article on the possibility of developing wind farms offshore on the Great Lakes: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060606/...akes_windmills
There appears to be some opposition to it because the windmills may ruin the landscape and hurt tourism.

I don't know, I've seen land-based wind farms in both Wisconsin and California, and I've found them more mesmerizing to look at than distracting.

I realize the energy generated from these is not used for the same purpose as oil, but it seems to me that turning one's nose up at such an economical, non-polluting source of energy is counter-intuitive and/or short-sighted. Then again, I'm not against drilling in Alaska, either.

Any other opinions?

There are already a number of places with windmills for electricity in Michigan but not for commercial production. The big objection is the fact that the windmills will be IN THE LAKES. Michigan just has too many boaters who don't want the lakes disturbed.

"Michigan just has too many boaters who don't want the lakes disturbed."

I'm sorry, I just had to laugh at the irony in that statement.

I'm laughing with ya, Weasel!!!!

Their is opposition all across the US on windfarms. Seems people with power and money don't want their landscape "ruined" by windmills.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...54,print.story

On Cape Cod, in spite of the slant of the last article there is concern about the placement of the turbines. It's not just about "power and money." It is very near channels for ferrys, shipping, fishing and recreational boating & 1/2 hourly flights to the islands plus the bird flyways. Not to mention the platforms w/the hydraulic fluids for servicing the windmills.

We have not had a hurricane recently. Bob in 1991 was the last one but we are due. The Northeasters we get (remember The Perfect Storm?) are also something to reckon with.

Just something else to consider.

The two giant windmills near the Mackinac Bridge don't seem to have hurt tourism.

The only complaints have been noise complaints from people living a few hundred yards away.

This wind farm in Kansas is a bit of an attraction: http://www.kansastravel.org/graycountywindfarm.htm

Keith

Keith

My biggest complaint with the windfarms is the fact that they are getting FREE acess to federal land, and because of it, are able to build them for cheap AND get government subsidies to build them.

On the Cape for example, these private companies will reap the benefits of the grants AS WELL AS, the ability to then sell the power to the power companies.

They try and sell you with the fact that it can power large areas for cheap, but in reality, all the power just gets put on the grid, and the companies make all the money....you wiull not see a reduction in your electric bill...

In contrast, a religious school in Portsmouth, RI just built a wind turbine on THEIR OWN LAND, and now have the ability to power their own school, and sell back any extra power to the power companies....THAT'S how it should be done....

milemarker0: well put.