Is the answer blowin' in the wind?
The idea of generating your own electricity from the freely blowing wind has an inherent appeal. And anyone who has observed a full round of seasons in Western New York knows that the wind is a powerful and relentless force during the months when energy bills rise.
A new generation of home-sized turbines, subsidized with government energy credits, has put the dream of wind power within reach for many. A miniature version of the giant Steelwinds towers on Lake Erie can provide enough electricity for a typical home. Every watt generated by the wind is one less that has to come from burning coal, gas or oil.
But harnessing the wind has its own problems. Manufacturers insist that they have reduced the noise from the spinning blades, but there's no getting around their visibility. To be effective, towers must rise above obstructions like trees and roofs - making them prominent by design.
An application for two towers in Hamburg is pending, and more "small wind" projects are likely waiting in the wings. Should wind continue to be restricted to rural areas and to special utility projects like Steelwinds, or is there a place for turbines in the areas where most people live?
--- Fred O. Williams
