Twitterby Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009)
Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Not so long ago, when the Edgewood Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) allowed me to make a few remarks during one of their deliberations on the possibility of Edgewood having its very own wind energy ordinance, hopefully to be followed by wind turbines, I jokingly said that in my 60 plus years of living in New Mexico, I had called the wind Mariah or on occassion, the blankedy-blank wind. Some members of the commission chuckled, after which I urged them to continue to use common sense as they deliberated and stated that I felt sure many citizens of Edgewood would support their common sense approach toward resolving the issues which had at that time been brought before them.
I spoke before the commission because I believe we should seize every opportunity to provide our society with, so far as is possible, sustainable models of power generation. Not that I subscribe to the theory, some would say proof, of global warming. As I look forward, and I don’t have forever to look in that direction, sustainability is not the same as taming “global warming.” It is much more. It is weaning ourselves from dependence on those who do not particularly like us, but that love our money and a lot of it. Sustainability also means that we have enough energy of every kind imaginable, so that we remain strong and ever ready to defend ourselves from those who are hellbent on our destruction.
We do have a lot of wind in New Mexico and it doesn’t always (seldom actually) quit when the sun exits our horizon … as the sun must for at least several hours. Wind tests to determine adequacy for electricity generation have found that some areas of the Edgewood community have such wind on a more or less consistent basis.
So, it seems that the wind cooperates, those that market wind generation systems are likely to cooperate, those that are sold on the idea of wind generation will cooperate and there is no reason why our various levels of government should not do the same.
Speaking of wind generation for power, it looks like Santa Fe County has finally approved its first application for a wind turbine. The turbine has been erected, albeit after a seven month process, and is now providing energy for its owners who reside west of Santa Fe City. Here’s hoping that Edgewood will scurry safely along and spin the props before too much longer.
You can read more about Santa Fe County’s first wind turbine approval here. Altogether, it is a great story, but it does state that the wind turbine approved by the County of Santa Fe is the first electricity generating turbine in the county. Tain’t so. There used to be two here in Edgewood and one still spins along. Can you place its geographic location? Where was the other one?
Jul 20, 2009 @ 07:27:10
I’ve been a general proponent of wind energy, with the caveat that it is especially important to ensure that wind applications are implemented appropriately, with full consideration of ecological considerations and in harmony with existing and planned future development. I am in favor of a full suite of energy options, and wish that the Edgewood committee had given more time to examining a balanced portfolio rather than immediately pursuing wind in an apparently exclusive manner. I understand that there is a grant opportunity, seemingly associated with a 200-foot wind turbine. The current move toward eliminating all restrictions – height, setbacks, etc. is simply another indication that the Town committee is dominated by those who would suborn all other considerations to promote a technology that has the support of key members. In my mind, this is short-sighted and likely to prove divisive.
Jul 20, 2009 @ 11:05:53
Thanks for your reasoned comments. As always you mention salient points that others might miss. As a new member of the energy committee (EC), I can offer no absolute assurance that your concerns have been addressed point by point. I can only say, based on what I have been told and what little I’ve observed, that the EC is looking at the opportunities that include other appropriate opportunities. How far along they may be I cannot say at this juncture, but I promise to offer whatever information I find regarding the committees work.
Since I am just now getting into the EC effort, I can’t say for certain, why the EC seemingly (that’s a big seemingly) has approached wind with a more forceful (no pun intended) effort. But, as I’ve said before, I suspect it has something to do with deadlines and other issues for submitting documents for the application of wind energy grants. One other possible reason, and I have no independent knowledge of this, is that the tangle of requirements for solar permitting are or will be much less onerous, than that which is likely to be settled on in the case of wind, i.e. height, noise, flyways, etc.
I agree that Edgewood needs to consider any option that is viable for a full plate of opportunities.
Jul 20, 2009 @ 13:50:52
As One who has attended several meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission where Wind turbines have been discussed, I am somewhat disappointed in John’s comments above. While the town of Edgewood may not employ an engineering staff comparible to Sandia Labs, Rey Fulwiler, John Bassett, and other members of that commission have gone to great lengths to obtain manufacturer’s and user data on wind turbines. This material has been presented in great detail to the commission and the audience present (for one such recent meeting I was the only person in the audience!). I must really commend P & Z for their efforts on this and related issues!
While he may not get all the publicity that other members of our community do, John Abrams, Chairman of the Energy Committee, is doing a lot of work on this and other related energy issues. I have posed several questions to Mr. Abrams and he has always been responsive.
SUGGESTION: If any of the Blog readers are truly interested in what Edgewood is doing regarding energy, they could attend the meetings of the two committees and voice their concerns and/or opinions. I am certain that those who are doing the ground work on energy would value their assistance!
Jul 21, 2009 @ 08:41:15
I don’t dispute that the P&Z Commission is working hard, nor do I doubt the enthusiasm and energy invested in this by the Energy Committee. What I am seeing through publicly available channels is that there appears to be a headlong rush toward wind – and wind without restrictions. The minutes available on the Town web site reveal little discussion other than that associated with wind. Recent newspaper articles show a movement toward reducing or eliminating restrictions on wind towers, reversing previous consideration of residents’ interests. What is lacking is a measured, comprehensive approach to developing a renewable energy strategy that considers not only all practicable approaches, but takes into account such issues as ecology and current/projected land use.
While my current schedule keeps me from attending most meetings, I did send a letter to the Town detailing all my concerns and suggesting a more balanced approach. As discussed in my most recent NM-central.com article on the Town’s energy strategy, it would appear that the concerns voiced in that letter were briefly discussed and given very little actual consideration. Certainly there has been no change in direction or broadening of scope – in fact, the push toward a wind emphasis seems to have increased in intensity. Regardless, I maintain that Edgewood should be considering a strategy that allows wind turbines to be installed where they are appropriate, and restricted where they are not – potentially with different restrictions in different places, depending on development and environment.
It will be interesting to see how companies seeking cell phone tower sites will see this. It may be difficult for the Town to demonstrate that it is not being arbitrary and capricious in allowing one type of tower virtually anywhere and restricting another.