Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about wind turbines in Nova Scotia, specifically around the effect they will have on their community. I'm a firm believer that wind turbines need to be designed with proper community input and using sufficient set-backs for noise (something that hasn't been done at some wind farms in NS), but a lot of the more subjective "affects" of turbines I'm not so certain about. One argument is that they are a visual "blight" on the landscape and that they will stop tourists from visiting already popular areas. This article posted earlier this week tells the exact opposite is happening in areas where wind energy is already being developed...
Turbine tourists blown away by country's wind farms
They're cropping up all over Canada and visitors get quite a charge out of seeing the electricity-producing windmills up close, writes Kathryn Young.
Kathryn Young, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Tuesday, October 02, 2007So many drivers are gawking at the enormous wind turbines along Lake Erie that they're creating a safety hazard, while in Alberta, TransAlta Corp. responded to visitor demand by creating an iPod audio tour for people keen to learn more about its three wind farms.
Wind farms have surprisingly become tourist attractions across Canada, luring thousands of visitors -- some from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Europe -- curious about the electricity-generating turbines.
Municipalities are responding by constructing viewing areas, opening interpretive centres, printing maps, welcoming tour buses and selling T-shirts, ball caps, windmill models, pins, aprons, photographs and postcards.... read more
4 comments:
Dan,
I don't think wind farms will ever be a destination resort.
Here is an opinion on the huge project in Nantucket Sound that might be wrth including in your arsenal.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/03/29/audubon_review_supports_wind_farm/
As you sail into the harbour at Copenhagen you see a line of 20 or more large turbines, plus groupings of others closer to shore. They are spectacular! I was also informed by a resident of Copenhagen that one reason they are situated well out into the water so so they are not near anyone's home or place of work.
To Cole Harbour.. I've also read a lot of positive reports from bird organizations.. I had a great conversation at the recent EcoLogic show with the head of a Nova Scotian bird organization that said that taking your dog for a walk could be more harmful than a large turbine..
to anhaga.. I love those turbines in Copenhagen as well, although, I've never seen them in person. An extra plus of those turbines is that half of them are community owned... making them even more beautiful
Post a Comment