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Wind Energy Myths

Simon Mahan 2012

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About Us

• The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) hasbeen a leading voice for energy reform to protect thequality of life and treasured places in the Southeast forover 25 years. Founded in 1985, SACE is the onlyregional organization primarily focused on developingclean energy solutions throughout the Southeast. 

• As we look towards the future, SACE’s commitment topreserve, restore and protect our environment throughthe use of innovative technology, grassroots andgrasstops education, and pioneer policy work remainssteadfast. 

BECOME A MEMBER | TAKE ACTION @ www.cleanenergy.org FOLLOW US @ twitter.com/cleanenergyorg JOIN THE CONVERSATION on Facebook 

READ MORE @ blog.cleanenergy.org/ 

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Issues

• Aesthetics• Health•

Costs• Environmental• Miscellaneous

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Opposition

• National Wind Watch (www.wind-watch.org) • American Wind Energy Opposition (www.aweo.org) • Industrial Wind Action Group (www.windaction.org)

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Aesthetics

• Size• Ugliness •

Noise 

• Tourism• Property Values

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Aesthetics

Size

Turbines are smallerthan other

technologies.

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AestheticsTourism

Wind farms can enhance tourism.

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AestheticsUgliness

Turbines can be pretty.

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AestheticsNoise

Turbines are quieter than you think.

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AestheticsProperty Values

There’s no evidenceturbines harmproperty values.

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Health

• “Wind TurbineSyndrome” 

• Shadow flicker • Blade ice-throw • Electro-magnetism

(EM fields)• Stray voltage

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HealthWind Turbine Syndrome

Turbines do not cause“wind turbinesyndrome.” 

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HealthShadow Flicker

Wind turbines do not cause epilepsy.

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HealthBlade Ice-Throw

Turbines are designed to shut down whenice forms.

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HealthElectro-Magnetism

Electro-magnetic fieldsfrom turbines do notappear dangerous.

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HealthStray Voltage

Wind turbines do not cause strayvoltage.

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Costs

• Electricity price • Variability • Transmission• Subsidies

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CostsElectricity Price

Wind energy is cheaper than alternatives.

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CostsVariability

Wind energy is reliable and predictable.

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CostsTransmission

Wind energy does not require lots of newtransmission lines.

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CostsSubsidies

Wind energy has received fewer subsidiesthan fossil fuels.

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Environmental

• Birds • Bats • Emissions• Marine• Site preparation

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EnvironmentalBirds

Wind turbines are safer for birds thanalternatives.

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EnvironmentalBats

Bat populations have not plummeted because ofturbines.

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EnvironmentalEmissions

Wind turbinesdirectly reduce airemissions. 

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EnvironmentalMarine

Wind farms can enhance marine habitat.

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EnvironmentalLand Use

Land use from wind turbines is minimal.

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Miscellaneous

• National Security • “Foreign” companies • Rare earth minerals• Job destruction• Natural disasters • Slows the planet

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MiscellaneousNational Security

Wind farms helpnational security.

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Miscellaneous“Foreign” Companies 

Domestic companies benefit greatly fromwind farms.

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MiscellaneousRare Earth Minerals

Rare earth mineralsare not a majorbottle neck to wind

energy.

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MiscellaneousJob Destruction

Wind energy generates jobs.

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MiscellaneousNatural Disasters

Wind turbines can survive hurricanes.

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MiscellaneousSlows the planet

Wind turbines do not slow the planet.

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