Wind blows when it wants to, not when users of wind energy need it to.
Wind power generation isn’t reliable.
It’s often not there when needed the most during extreme cold and heat.
That issue prevents it from being a reliable base load power source.
The necessity of maintaining less inefficient intermittent back up energy sources increases overall cost compared to more efficient natural gas plants without wind.
Wind power generators are exposed to weather full time.
Unlike generators enclosed in power plants, wind turbines are vulnerable to:
Ice storms, common in the northeast and south.
Turbine blade icing
Lightning and hurricane force high mountain winds.
The consequence is higher costs for maintenance.
Wind turbine farms are unsightly.
Wind turbines negatively impact tourism, an important NH industry.
Wind turbines devalue property.
Wind generation cost isn’t competitive to other centralized power generators.
Government incentives focus primarily on installation.
Limited replacement and repair budgets lower cost, but result in poor maintenance and shorter lifetime.
Wind power drives dramatic energy cost increases, as it did in Europe, hurting those on fixed incomes
Rising energy costs hurt the economy by driving away businesses and jobs. In Europe, this has caused Spain, Germany and the UK to stop subsidies as prices and unemployment skyrocketed.
Wind farms have negative impacts on wildlife, health and other issues.
Migrating birds (including endangered species) are killed by contact with wind turbines.
Pressure waves impact the health of nearby humans, including consequences of sleep deprivation.
Wind turbines affect weather radar and aviation by triggering false alarms.
Posted by GST Board Member Joe D’Aleo