Wind Energy Myths

Simon Mahan 2012

About Us
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) has been a leading voice for energy reform to protect the quality of life and treasured places in the Southeast for over 25 years. Founded in 1985, SACE is the only regional organization primarily focused on developing clean energy solutions throughout the Southeast. As we look towards the future, SACEs commitment to preserve, restore and protect our environment through the use of innovative technology, grassroots and grasstops education, and pioneer policy work remains steadfast.

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

Issues
Aesthetics Health Costs Environmental Miscellaneous

Opposition

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

Aesthetics
Size Ugliness Noise Tourism Property Values

Aesthetics
Size

Turbines are smaller than other technologies.

Aesthetics
Tourism

Wind farms can enhance tourism.

Aesthetics
Ugliness

Turbines can be pretty.

Aesthetics
Noise

Turbines are quieter than you think.

Aesthetics
Property Values

Theres no evidence turbines harm property values.

Health
Wind Turbine Syndrome Shadow flicker Blade ice-throw Electro-magnetism (EM fields) Stray voltage

Health
Wind Turbine Syndrome

Turbines do not cause wind turbine syndrome.

Health
Shadow Flicker

Wind turbines do not cause epilepsy.

Health
Blade Ice-Throw

Turbines are designed to shut down when ice forms.

Health
Electro-Magnetism

Electro-magnetic fields from turbines do not appear dangerous.

Health
Stray Voltage

Wind turbines do not cause stray voltage.

Costs
Electricity price Variability Transmission Subsidies

Costs
Electricity Price

Wind energy is cheaper than alternatives.

Costs
Variability

Wind energy is reliable and predictable.

Costs
Transmission

Wind energy does not require lots of new transmission lines.

Costs
Subsidies

Wind energy has received fewer subsidies than fossil fuels.

Environmental
Birds Bats Emissions Marine Site preparation

Environmental
Birds

Wind turbines are safer for birds than alternatives.

Environmental
Bats

Bat populations have not plummeted because of turbines.

Environmental
Emissions

Wind turbines directly reduce air emissions.

Environmental
Marine

Wind farms can enhance marine habitat.

Environmental
Land Use

Land use from wind turbines is minimal.

Miscellaneous
National Security Foreign companies Rare earth minerals Job destruction Natural disasters Slows the planet

Miscellaneous
National Security

Wind farms help national security.

Miscellaneous
Foreign Companies

Domestic companies benefit greatly from wind farms.

Miscellaneous
Rare Earth Minerals

Rare earth minerals are not a major bottle neck to wind energy.

Miscellaneous
Job Destruction

Wind energy generates jobs.

Miscellaneous
Natural Disasters

Wind turbines can survive hurricanes.

Miscellaneous
Slows the planet

Wind turbines do not slow the planet.

This presentation was brought to you by

Please visit our website at www.cleanenergy.org and our blog at http://blog.cleanenergy.org