In addition to ten steps to wind farming, the handbook has web addresses at the end of each Step that complement the content in the step.
Before we can profit from- rather than curse- every windy day, we have to develop wind with as much desire as we raise crops and livestock.
In The Wall Street Journal, 15 October, p. A1, is "Northern Vintage: Canadian Wines Rise with the Mercury," Gary Kennedy, a farmer in Tappen, British Columbia, told TWSJ "We've literally bet the farm that this is going to work," said . He sold his dairy cows to raise Pinot Noir grapes on his farm.
The borders of the world's grape-growing regions are shifting north, as global warming encourages vintners to press even futher north. At Mr. Kennedy's winery- Granite Creek- a heavy snowfall in the mountains meant a possible early frost when the grapes needed another two weeks of sun for the best harvest.
Mr. Kennedy spent two years studying the region's climate data after learning his children didn't want to continue operating his dairy farm. Once he was confident about his business change, he sold the livestock and took out a hefty loan to start Granite Creek.
[South Dakotans have a similar choice to make in the face of climate change and the growth of marginal ag land. Wind farming, like deciding to raise grapes, also requires "doing your homework," with the understanding that electricity consumption continues to grow nation-wide. In SD alone, consumption by a typical household has increased from an average of 780 kWhs per month to 900 kWhs of electricity.
266 lbs. of coal had to be burned each month to generate 780 kWhs of electricity. Now we burn 307 lbs. coal each month to generate 900 kWhs. That's pounds more of ash settling on our lakes and land, and more mercury and radioactive cadmium in our wildlife.]
In the 19 October issue of The Wall Street Journal, on p.A13, "Builders get energy goals in California," the California PUC and the California Energy Commission proposed energy efficiency improvements for new homes and buildings. The report highlighted
--homes are to be capable, by 2020, of generating as much energy as they consume; new buildings are to meet the same standard by 2035
--new homes are to be 35% more energy efficient by 2020 than now; buildings are to be 35 more energy efficient by 2035 than now
--with these new standards, the two agencies may be establishing a foundation for community-, subdivision-, and commercial-level energy self-sufficiency.
--utilities are required to develop proposals to motivate builders to voluntarily meet the goals.
--achieving the goals could save California consumers $10 billion in energy costs and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to taking 1.8 million cars off the road.
[In addition to fossil fuel or biofuel-fired micro steam turbines, mid-size to sub-1 megawatt wind turbines may play important roles in helping to achieve better energy efficiencies. Community- or subdivision-level generation will also help the state achieve its Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal.
California, Minnesota, and other states are taking steps to reduce the impacts of burning fossil fuels; South Dakota wind farmers can deliver the "green" power they want in their RPSs.]
The Watertown (SD) Public Opinion, 19 Oct., p. 10B; "Farmer [turns to] wind energy," the report observed "squeezed by higher energy prices and more overhead costs, some small farms are exploring ways to increase their energy efficiency and lower costs. These efforts by small farms are becoming more common."
[Farm energy production methods such as wind turbines and biodiesel production were mentioned along with looking into energy effieciency. Solar panel use and biomass converstion were not discussed.]
A disappointing report on environmental activism was provided by the Farm Forum Green Sheet, 12 - 17 Oct., p. 74F. "Ill winds for Montana wind power project" highlighted
--two years of discussing and marketing didn't sway environmental groups opposed to the original 500 MW wind development
--political will, tax breaks, and good to excellent wind were not persuasive
--in an unsuccessful attempt to appease the groups, the project was cut from 500 MW to 170 to 50 MW. Completion of the minimalized wind farm is in doubt.
U.S. Jon Tester (D-MT) offered a realistic appraisal of wind development: "We need to figure out a way to make these [wind power] projects work. Or we all start riding bicycles."
[Environmentalists want the luxuries of modern life- electric lights, central heating/cooling, refrigerators, cars to take them dozens (if not hundreds) of miles to their next rabble-rousing-while preventing power generating projects that sustain modern life with the least negative impact on the environment.
Such environmentalists have not fully thought through how society changes to meet needs and the pace at which people change. Environmentalists have become as rigid as ultra-conservatives; both hinder rather than help their causes.]
