Spring Break
Cigar wrong about renewable energy
Issue date: 10/16/03 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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10/16/03 - To the Cigar,
This letter is in response to the Oct. 8 article entitled, "Wind Turbine Proposed for Bay Campus," which included some inaccuracies about the renewable energy project. Renewable energy is a growing field and has many benefits including: little or no production of greenhouse gases or air pollution, less reliance on the import of foreign fossil fuels and a boost to the local economy. In the long run, renewable energy can help stabilize energy costs.
The two main purposes of the wind turbine proposed for the Bay Campus are: to educate and to allow the public to become more familiar with renewable energy. It will not necessarily provide a large amount of electricity relative to the campus's usage, certainly nowhere near the amount reported in the article. It will possibly provide enough for one building.
The article also mentioned the issue of oil leakage. This issue has been raised in relation to offshore wind farm and has little factual basis. Oil leakage is not likely to be a problem with the Bay Campus turbine.
The proposal for the turbine is in the beginning stages, but is looking promising. In the months ahead, researching will be done on issues such as possible wildlife impacts, concerns the local community might have and sources of funding.
Support is growing among university staff and students, but much more is needed. Assistance on numerous topics, ranging from forestry issues to community involvement to engineering knowledge, is still wanted. No experience is necessary. If you would like to become involved or have questions/comments, please e-mail me at uriwind@yahoo.com, or come to the next wind meeting on Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in room 314 of the Memorial Union.
Sincerely,
Courtney Blodgett
This letter is in response to the Oct. 8 article entitled, "Wind Turbine Proposed for Bay Campus," which included some inaccuracies about the renewable energy project. Renewable energy is a growing field and has many benefits including: little or no production of greenhouse gases or air pollution, less reliance on the import of foreign fossil fuels and a boost to the local economy. In the long run, renewable energy can help stabilize energy costs.
The two main purposes of the wind turbine proposed for the Bay Campus are: to educate and to allow the public to become more familiar with renewable energy. It will not necessarily provide a large amount of electricity relative to the campus's usage, certainly nowhere near the amount reported in the article. It will possibly provide enough for one building.
The article also mentioned the issue of oil leakage. This issue has been raised in relation to offshore wind farm and has little factual basis. Oil leakage is not likely to be a problem with the Bay Campus turbine.
The proposal for the turbine is in the beginning stages, but is looking promising. In the months ahead, researching will be done on issues such as possible wildlife impacts, concerns the local community might have and sources of funding.
Support is growing among university staff and students, but much more is needed. Assistance on numerous topics, ranging from forestry issues to community involvement to engineering knowledge, is still wanted. No experience is necessary. If you would like to become involved or have questions/comments, please e-mail me at uriwind@yahoo.com, or come to the next wind meeting on Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in room 314 of the Memorial Union.
Sincerely,
Courtney Blodgett
