Lots of components coming through town... (Duluth, Virginia: live in, cost, moving)

[demtion35]

Man have there been alot of these Wind Turbine Components in the past few weeks or months, just had to comment on that.

Today this morning for example I saw three seperate rigs rolling through Hwy 53 headed North, with several smaller regular sized rigs with major sub-assemblies.

These parts are moving through almost daily it seems.

[rockyinyourradio]

These wind turbines are springing up like weeds it seems like. What's so crazy is that if you do the research, they don't produce as much energy as to what we've been led to believe. I live in Oklahoma (but a big fan of Duluth and the Lk. Superior area) and these wind turbines are coming in regardless of what the public input is. I'm wondering about the Norwesters outside of Thunder Bay, they were suppose to know last week if they were getting a bunch of these. Also, I remember seeing literally hundreds of these turbines just north of the Soo when I was there in August.

I'm all for less reliance on energy from overseas, but according to many different sources here in Oklahoma.. they aren't as efficient as once thought, and the wind blows here at least 10mph or more 330 days out of the year. They also are bird killers and some folks have reported increased illnesses who live close to them ... however I somewhat question that last allegation.

Are there potential places near Duluth where these wind turbines are going up? Hopefully not near the Skyline Parkway.. I can see them eyeballing that.. who cares on how it looks and possible adverse effects. Duluth is actually on my list to relocate to later in 2011 or '12. I hope they won't be a permanent fixture to the beautiful landscape that surrounds Duluth.. I see enough of these here in Oklahoma!

I invite responses from both sides of the issue as I'm sure this will be a hotly contested topic, especially if plans do come to fruition that these turbines come to the area.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by rockyinyourradio

These wind turbines are springing up like weeds it seems like. What's so crazy is that if you do the research, they don't produce as much energy as to what we've been led to believe. I live in Oklahoma (but a big fan of Duluth and the Lk. Superior area) and these wind turbines are coming in regardless of what the public input is. I'm wondering about the Norwesters outside of Thunder Bay, they were suppose to know last week if they were getting a bunch of these. Also, I remember seeing literally hundreds of these turbines just north of the Soo when I was there in August.

I'm all for less reliance on energy from overseas, but according to many different sources here in Oklahoma.. they aren't as efficient as once thought, and the wind blows here at least 10mph or more 330 days out of the year. They also are bird killers and some folks have reported increased illnesses who live close to them ... however I somewhat question that last allegation.

Are there potential places near Duluth where these wind turbines are going up? Hopefully not near the Skyline Parkway.. I can see them eyeballing that.. who cares on how it looks and possible adverse effects. Duluth is actually on my list to relocate to later in 2011 or '12. I hope they won't be a permanent fixture to the beautiful landscape that surrounds Duluth.. I see enough of these here in Oklahoma!

I invite responses from both sides of the issue as I'm sure this will be a hotly contested topic, especially if plans do come to fruition that these turbines come to the area.

No they won't be along skyline. They are shipped through the port to place like Oklahoma and also manufactured in places like ND and shipped out of the port.

The only place up north that I know of is along the Laurentian Divide near Virginia.

They do kill birds because they are placed along migratory paths in some places. Also I hear that a lot of bats are killed too.

In high winds they get turned off and the component pieces wear out before the turbines have paid for themselves. I think as they produce more of these turbines that the technology will imporve in time to address some of the drawbacks.

[Beenaroundabit]

A lot of the components come through Duluth because they're produced in Dennmark and shipping through the Great Lakes is more cost effective for turbines being built in the Midwest - not necessarily because Duluth is the where they'll be assembled.

That's what I was told, anyway.

Only problem I have with wind turbines is they they kill a lot of wildlife - though I believe changes can be made to their operation ot alleviate some of that.