Random Thoughts: Ohio Blows First, Wins My Heart (Again)
Congratulations for the state of Ohio & its governor, Ted Strickland, for embracing change.
Over the next 2 years, Ohio will be building the United States’ first off-shore wind farm in fresh water – more specifically, in Lake Erie. Current plans include 5 wind turbines, which will generate at least 20 megawatts of power by 2012; enough to power 7,000 homes year-around. The turbines will be built 6 miles off the shores of Cleveland, Ohio, north of the Cleveland Browns football stadium.
After reading the news a few days ago, I told my mum about it. We lived together in the Cleveland area for near 4 years & still retain fondness for Ohio. She was elated. We went on to discuss similar off-shore projects that have hit major snags, like the proposed wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. Common arguments against wind farms: loss of tourism money, noise pollution, & they’re eyesores. I say: bullshit; you’re afraid of change. Mum agrees: “Things have always changed, and they will continue to change. You can’t fear the change; it’s going to happen with or without you.”
With disdain in her voice, my mum continued, “50 years ago, telephone & electricity lines used to be wrapped around poles that ran up & down every street. No one said ‘Oh no, that’s ugly, don’t put those up – I’ll live without a phone or electricity.’ Why are people doing the same with wind turbines?” Amen, woman!
When Europeans arrived to formally settle what is now know as the United States, it looked nothing like it does today. We did that – we created that change. Why should we stop now? The ongoing needs & pollution-heavy realities of our energy system can not be denied any long – hello, Gulf of Mexico oil spill! We’ve used windmills to generate power for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Now, we are giving new life & versatility to an invention nearly forgotten.
Are wind turbines perfect? No – nothing is perfect, but the drawbacks are far less than those of oil, coal, or nuclear power. We are all living in a world of drastic change: socially, financially, and environmentally. Alternative energy IS our future; embrace it or get the f*ck off the planet – I’m sure Mars would be happy to take your in.
Irony worth pondering: have you noticed that middle America has begun embracing alternative energy methods (wind, solar … etc.) with little hesitation, while near-coastal states (with certain exceptions) do nothing but bitch & moan as they continue rack up more power usage than that of central states … why is that?
[Image courtesy of Martin Pettitt]
