Wind Power for the Garden State

BELMAR BEACH, NEW JERSEY

On March 12, 2007 an article by Todd B. Bates, Environmental Writer for the Asbury Park Press caught my attention. In it Mr. Bates writes that New Jersey is preparing an 18 month study of birds and marine life 20 nautical miles offshore prior to the pilot project that will enable New Jersey to reap the benefits from the use of this Wind Generated Energy Alternative. This study is in advance of the Wind Turbine test that was included in the State's 2007-2008 budget at a cost of $4.5 million, including the $2 million from the Clean Energy Fund for a Wind Power Ecological Baseline Study.

I was curious to know exactly how many of these This Wind Generated Energy Alternatives were actually up and running. Last year, the US Naval Station on Guantanamo Bay Cuba completed the installation of a pair of wind turbines on John Paul Jones Hill, the base’s highest point.

The world's largest wind farm at Altamont Pass, California, USA, consists of 6,000 wind turbines generating 1 TWh of electricity per year. Wind farms supply about 1.5% of California's electricity needs.

The EERE Information Center (The US Dept. of Energy Efficiency and Renewal Energy) has listed Installed Wind Capacity data of where various Wind Farms are located http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/

Energy alternatives are topics that no one should shy away from. There are sources for questions about Wind Energy. The Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS Information Center, is an online center for Energy Development, check out the FAQ's on this site,
http://windeis.anl.gov/index.cfm

I believe New Jersey is making positive strides in helping the climate and quality of life for our residents. While there will always be PROS AND CONS to anything. In my opinion this is a winning proposition for our beautiful Garden State. I believe most of us are PRO change but there will always be critique and CONS. What do you think?