An Ill Wind….Opposition to Wind as an Alternative Energy Source in N.J.

On September 2, 2010, Americans for Prosperity staged a rally in front of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority windmills to protest against offshore wind turbines as a waste of taxpayer money. Ironically, according to the ACUA, its five wind turbines save it $600,000 a year in electricity bills.

The protest comes less than one month after Governor Christie signed the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act into law. The Offshore Wind Economic Development Act establishes an offshore wind renewable energy certificate program that will require a percentage of electricity sold in NJ to come from offshore wind energy. New Jersey hopes that the new law will spur economic development and job growth in the state.

There are currently three offshore wind projects underway off the coast of New Jersey.

Of more concern to wind projects in other states is the military’s opposition to wind turbines because of feared interference with radar. The New York Times reported that a number of major wind projects have been stalled by Pentagon concerns. Part of the problem is radar systems that date back to the 1950s and cannot differentiate between a moving airplane and a wind turbine.

In his September 7 blog, Paul Mulshine, a columnist for the Star Ledger, worries that the proposed off-shore wind turbines will not be able to withstand the forces of a hurricane such as Earl.

Wind, as an energy source, although cleaner than oil, apparently brings its own problems and opponents.