Sometimes our concern about the environment forces us to make tough choices. A case in point is the siting of wind turbines. Several of these gleaming 100 foot plus towers stand like sentinels as one drives east along the Atlantic City Expressway and looks out over a skyline dominated by casino hotels. As large scale projects with dozens of these towers are planned, siting becomes more complicated.
Molly Webster, writing for OnEarth.org (article) reports on the dilemma faced by Johanna Wald, an attorney for the NRDC who has spent decades protecting wild places. "We need renewable energy, and we need it fast. But we also need to develop land areas responsibly," Wald is quoted as saying.
To satisfy both of these priorities NRDC has teamed up with the Audubon Society to create a digital mapping program that identifies locations that are legally off-limits or represent areas that environmental groups regard as having exceptionally high value.
It is hoped that this effort will guide renewable energy companies in siting development projects.
Thanks to OEN Member Dr. Ross McCluney (his website) for emailing me with his report on this. -- R B Shreve
