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Tam Hunt and Megan Birney: Wind Power Is On the Way
Wind power is on the way in our very own Santa Barbara County. The first utility-scale renewable energy project is up for a decision before the Planning Commission on Tuesday. Pacific Renewable Energy Group, a subsidiary of Acciona USA (part of a larger Spanish company), has proposed a wind farm at a site in the hills near Lompoc. This wind farm will ultimately provide enough energy for about 40,000 homes, or about 10 percent of our county’s total electricity demand. The avoided carbon dioxide emissions are equivalent to replacing 380,000 incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs every year.
The Community Environmental Council’s Fossil Free by ’33 has long highlighted the potential for wind power in our county, both onshore and offshore. Under the CEC’s regional energy blueprint, we project that wind power can provide the equivalent of all our county’s electricity demand by 2030 and about 20 percent of our county’s total energy demand — which includes petroleum, natural gas and electricity. Our blueprint also highlights the wind potential in this particular region, and we have concluded that this is indeed the best site for wind power in Santa Barbara County.
Even with our aggressive goals for renewable energy and energy efficiency, we carefully analyze the implications of every actual energy project before lending our support. We have followed the Lompoc wind project’s progress for three years and, after discussing the pros and cons of this project, our board of directors voted unanimously to endorse it. This is a first for CEC, but hopefully not the last time we are able to endorse a significant renewable energy project.
Over the last few years, we have highlighted the major problems facing us in the near future, including climate change, declining oil availability (“peak oil”), air pollution and national security concerns about increasing dependency on foreign fossil fuels. Any impacts from this wind farm project must be weighed against the larger trends we see. At the same time, this project — and others like it — offer significant opportunities for our region.
We are in a climate crisis that affects our weather, health, sea level, water supply, food production and biodiversity. The International Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report found that approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of species assessed were at increased risk of extinction if temperatures exceeded 1.5-2.5 degrees Celsius, and projected “significant extinctions” — 40 percent to 70 percent of species assessed — if average temperature increases exceeds 3.5 degrees Celsius. This emergency is much bigger than us and we must begin to think on a global scale if we have any hope of minimizing the degree and impacts of climate change.
Wind energy is a big part of the solution, and here in Santa Barbara County we have great potential to use wind energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. By utilizing this clean, renewable energy source, we can reduce air emissions like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. These air pollutants are detrimental to the health of California residents and can lead to numerous afflictions in including asthma, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Of no less importance, this project can have positive implications for the local economy. This one project will provide 50 to 100 construction jobs, lasting for one to two years, as well as 10 permanent jobs. It will also provide about $3 million in tax revenue each year for Santa Barbara County.
This project is not perfect by any means. As the environmental review notes, there are significant and unavoidable impacts, including likely bird and bat impacts, as well as visual impacts seen from Jalama Beach and San Miguelito Road. For the Planning Commission to approve this project, it will have to issue a statement of “over-riding considerations,” which explains that these impacts, while unavoidable, are acceptable considering the benefits of this project. Based on our analysis of the current state of our environment and economy, this is also our view. This project is far better than building new natural gas, coal or nuclear plants.
Regarding viewsheds, the location of the turbines has been set to minimize visual impacts; but we recognize that some parts can be seen. The turbines are unobtrusive from afar and we consider the viewshed impacts from Jalama and Miguelito Canyon Road acceptable, given the benefits of this project.
Bird and bat impacts, given the studies already completed or under way, are likely to be low compared to other wind power projects (one to two birds per turbine per year). This is the case because today’s large turbines spin quite slowly and have smooth cylindrical towers that are not suitable for bird perches. The site is also away from migratory bird corridors, and bird populations at the site are medium to low compared to surrounding areas. While any wildlife deaths or injuries are tragic, we believe the potential impacts from climate change and air pollution mentioned above outweigh these local impacts.
We urge all interested residents to come to Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting and make your voice heard.
— Tam Hunt is energy program director and an attorney for the Community Environmental Council, and is a lecturer in renewable energy law and policy at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. Click here for the CEC’s regional energy blueprint. Megan Birney is a senior energy program associate at the Community Environmental Council.
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» on 09.27.08 @ 09:55 AM
Those wind turbines are butt ugly.
I sure don’t want to look at any of those as they ruin the aesthetics of the rural environment. Many of those monsters are on massive 200 feet towers and have 100 feet blades.
Any landowner would have to be an idiot to allow any of these ugly things on his land.
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» on 09.27.08 @ 02:25 PM
But those oil derricks are oh so attractive.
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» on 09.27.08 @ 07:56 PM
The only real solution to our energy problem is more nuclear power plants.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 08:38 AM
The CECs support for wind power and other *green* sources of power is commendable. But Mr Tam’s truth stretching is not. Wind power will never provide all our electrical needs. Wind is an intermittent source of energy. It needs a back up source of power that can turned on when the wind is not blowing and off when it is. Yes the wind may blow in one place while not blowing in another but to connect all the places would require fast new power distribution lines.
As to the potential for bird kills, it is not only high it is assured. And not just song birds or crows. This is a wild area of the County with perfect conditions for raptors. I have been there and seen Red Tail Hawks, Red Shoulder Hawks, Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons among others. Mr Tam rightly claims that these wind machines turn slow. But he fails to mention the because the blades are 100 feet long the speed of the blade near the tip will be near the speed of sound….and clearly invisible to birds of any kind. If the kill zone is the 50 feet of the blade furthest from the tower then the kill zone of each machine will be around 6000 square feet. So the 60 machines will total about 360,000 square feet of a death zone for birds.
Now the County has proposed that if any single machine is shown to kill three or more endangered/protected (listed) birds a year the County can require that that machine be turned off. But if the operator can show economic hardship the County can wave the requirement. And who goes out and checks for dead birds every day? No one.
The bird issue above all else should kill this project. It is simply in the wrong environment. A far better place would be the Cuyama Valley.
Bob
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» on 09.28.08 @ 09:53 AM
Yeah! Finally someone is going to make good use of the irritating wind in the Lompoc area. Unlike “say no,,” I LOVE seeing the wind farms, not only because of what it represents, but also because they have a strong, elegant attractiveness about them. Granted, it would be best if we didn’t have anything interupting our view of nature, but the wind turbines are much more pleasing to the eye than just about all the other energy source structures. Power to the wind proponents!
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» on 09.28.08 @ 10:11 AM
Why not use the Gaviota area at Hollister ranch and Point Conception as a basis for a wind farm. That area is always windy on a continuous basis and would be an ideal location.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 12:54 PM
I just got back from the East where they have been installing a lot of wind farms.
I agree that they are just plain ugly.
There has to be a better way with less visual blight.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 02:39 PM
Tam needs a serious reality check on his fantasy of wind power suppling all of our county’s electrical needs in 20 years - and who wants to look at hundreds of hideous giant industrial turbines covering the horizon at Gaviota & Pt Conception. Talk about negative environmental impacts!
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» on 09.28.08 @ 02:49 PM
So the CEC is willing to kill thousands of hawks, songbirds, bats and the occasional eagle monthly under the banner of their global warming crusade. Your dogma is outweighing your karma Tam… What if you are wrong about global warming and have just gotten caught up in another youth induced movement?
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» on 09.28.08 @ 04:00 PM
This is so ironic - first we hear - wind farms, solar. Do not drill - there’s only enough oil for one year off our coast and it is not worth it. And I agree.
Now to hear the same people say wind cannot produce more than a percentage of our power - so why do it. And I disagree.
What do you guys want?
Black Outs or Black Beaches?
I take wind mills.
They are not ugly and this one is ten miles out of Lompoc.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 04:12 PM
The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is not an real environmental group. They are simply a law firm that represents clients for fees in land use issues.
That is why on one hand they support off shore oil but on the other hand oppose renewable energy.
Take two recent examples - Plains Oil:
EDC was hired to support off shore oil so EDC supported off shore oil drilling by a small underfunded oil company with no real track record. EDC supports them drilling closer to shore and brining the oil into Lompoc to an old - facility via a pipeline through our neighborhoods - within yards of family homes and schools.
Take a second example - Wind Farm:
EDC has been hired to opposed this Wind Farm. So even though EDC has stated dozens of times over the years they support wind and other renewable, when the money is waived at them - they oppose. The wind farm is 8 or 9 miles out of town - you cannot hear it, and can only see the tips from a few locations.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EDC AND ANY OTHER LAWYERS HIRED TO SUPPORT OFF SHORE OIL. IS EDC OPPOSING A WIND FARM BECAUSE THEIR OIL COMPANY CLIENT SAYS TO?
Do not be fooled by their concern about silly little issue with the wind farm - they are paid to be opposed.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 04:22 PM
If our choice is oil from the middle east or oil from off our coast or a wind farm on shore? It is an easy choice for me.
What hurts more animals - pollution from oil and gas or coal plants or a wind farm. Again and easy choice for me.
Where would you rather live next to a oil refinery or a wind farm? Easy choice for me.
Wind farms are renewable and clean.
The only people opposing them our greedy neighbors and their hired lawyers.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 04:52 PM
How fun to read today that the same people who hate off shore oil and claim we have to stop and trade in oil for wind, now oppose wind.
Maybe they just want us all to go back to the caves without any energy whatsoever.
My co-workers and I have always said these fringe nuts opposed to oil are opposed to a civilized world with energy.
I think wind is very cool and would be a great means of getting more power. Our oil is not unlimited and we need alternatives.
Trust me - up close and from a distance - a wind turbine is prettier than and oil platform.
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» on 09.28.08 @ 06:42 PM
Oh yes they are ugly. Very ugly!
Imagine lots of 200 feet monster towers each with 100 feet monster blades.
This is as tall as a 20 story building. Nothing attractive about them. Pure ugly.
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» on 09.29.08 @ 08:05 AM
Bye Bye Birdie is the exact example of BS and facts. So after years of study and review - it has been proven that there are very very few birds in the area but Bye Bye Birdie says ” . . . .thousands of hawks, songbirds, bats and the occasional eagle.”
Really.
So instead lets drill baby drill?
I say birdie maybe it’s time for you to stop using all energy.
Mr. “Say No To Wind Farms” do you know the word YES or do you have any reason whatsoever?
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» on 09.29.08 @ 09:59 AM
reply to Bye Bye truth:
Of course I know the word yes.
And I do have a very valid reason for opposing wind farms: they are just plain butt ugly!
They have a 20 story 200 feet high massive mast and monster 100 feet blades. This is way out of human scale and results in visual blight to the countryside.
Have you ever seen one? I thought not! I have seen them and they are just hideous looking. a true visual blight!
Preserve the scenic beauty of Santa Barbara County and say No to wind farms!
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» on 09.29.08 @ 02:45 PM
To: “SAY NO TO WIND FARMS”
I have seen Wind Farms. I have seen coal plants and I have seen coal mines and been on off shore oil platforms. I have seen oil spills and I have seen fly ash deposit sites where the left overs of coal power are stored in places like Casmalia - nothing is perfect.
Wind is not perfect but compared to other power sources it is very close to perfect. No pollution. They are big, but they are not ugly.
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» on 09.29.08 @ 04:09 PM
The truth is that the oil platforms are teaming with every type of sea life - they are 1 big artifical reef supporting thousands of fish, shell fish, seals, sharks and even those terrible humans that like to fish and dive! Wind farms have a huge negative environmental impact plus they kill thousands of birds. The anti oil zealouts at CEC are losing touch with reality. Tam & Megan: there really are birds in Lompoc. I dare you to drive your Prius’s out there sometime and look up in the sky.
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» on 09.30.08 @ 09:57 AM
How can a man made object 20 stories high, which is way out of human scale, not be a blight on a pristine rural countryside. They stick out like a sore thumb.
They are much uglier than an oil platform which when lighted at night looks like a ship passing.
Just because some things are uglier does not make it right to deface the countryside this way. Better to respect nature rather than defacing it. There are better ways to generate electricity which have less visual blight.
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