Canada's largest wind farm to be set up in southern Manitoba

[Kevin_foster]

Featured on digg:

http://digg.com/environment/Canada_s...thern_Manitoba

With the link here:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...m.html?ref=rss

Interesting! Congrats Manitoba!!

[Winnipegger]

Ah, the first news story out of Manitoba to hit the front page of digg since, well, the incident on the bus. The people around my area where the farm is going up arne't to happy. I'm just glad our socialist government is using their power to do something good. Honestly, I'm all for this "government" involvment. Call me a communist, and I'll say "Thanks."

[MooseJets]

And of course there's some posts there already shitting all over this 'cause its in Manitoba. To sum it up, some guy from Alaska says "Manitoba: Quite possibly the only place in the world more boring than Saskatchewan."

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by MooseJets

And of course there's some posts there already shitting all over this 'cause its in Manitoba. To sum it up, some guy from Alaska says "Manitoba: Quite possibly the only place in the world more boring than Saskatchewan."

Figures someone from Alaska would say that.

Where did you read this?

[Kris22]

I think this is a great idea. I've always found wind farms fascinating. As far as appearance goes, it seems like a love-it or hate-it type thing. I think they look beautiful, while I always hear others saying how they "wreck" the beauty of the landscape. (Newsflash: This is the prairies, we have endless amounts of vast open land--why not mix it up a little).

As long as it is far enough away from the town that the noise isn't an issue, I hope they build it.

[Boreal]

I do support wind power initiatives, and I do support this one. My biggest concern with wind farms are that they are set up where the wind is most prominent - obviously. However, these prominent locales also happen to be the exact migratory 'lanes' (paths is too vague of a term) of many species of birds. Long term, I hope this is responsible in regards to our feathered friends.

[vid]

They should also put one in front of the Legislature and City Hall.

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by Jeff1987

I do support wind power initiatives, and I do support this one. My biggest concern with wind farms are that they are set up where the wind is most prominent - obviously. However, these prominent locales also happen to be the exact migratory 'lanes' (paths is too vague of a term) of many species of birds. Long term, I hope this is responsible in regards to our feathered friends.

I have also read that out in the Pincher Creek area, many bats have been found dead near wind turbines. One theory is that they are attracted to noises creating by the spinning propellers. This has me very nervous.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Winnipegger

... The people around my area where the farm is going up arne't to happy. .

the farmers who's land this on get compensated fairly well

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

the farmers who's land this on get compensated fairly well

Yes but the stubborn Mennonites who live in town are afraid it's going to bring...change...
But secretly, I think they're afraid these wondrous machines that will bring prosperity to all thanks to our glorious government are going to make our Van Gogh painting seem smaller. Wouldn't want that. We might see our tourist rates drop from 4 to 1 this coming summer.
There goes the economy.
But honestly, I am glad this is going to happen. I went up to Leon last summer and must say I loved the sight of them up close and from afar.

[vid]

Wind turbines today are large enough that birds migrating can fly between the blades. The problem before was that the blades spun too fast, birds couldn't see them and would get hit. The other problem is lights on the towers. Birds get attracted to the lights, fly into them, get injured, fall and die. (Skyscrapers are even worse for that, New Yorkers have to turn off exterior lights above 700 feet at certain times of the year to minimize the threat). I'm not sure why bats are flying into them, but any electrical generation creates a noise that might be at a frequency that confuses the bats?

[Ruckus]

Impressive, Manitoba is becoming a very green province indeed.

[Andy6]

I'd like to hear more about the details of this 25 year deal and exactly how much Hydro is going to be paying for this power.

[Prairie Guy]

Originally Posted by Andy6

I'd like to hear more about the details of this 25 year deal and exactly how much Hydro is going to be paying for this power.

Another white elephant for you here, Andy?

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by Prairie Guy

Another white elephant for you here, Andy?

actually I believe 25 yrs is the lifespan of these wind turbines. so does this deal make any sense especially is almost a billion dollars. WE hope the province is not putting up all the money for contruction costs.

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by Greco Roman

I have also read that out in the Pincher Creek area, many bats have been found dead near wind turbines. One theory is that they are attracted to noises creating by the spinning propellers. This has me very nervous.

indeed me too.

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

the farmers who's land this on get compensated fairly well

yeah my uncles will be rich from this deal. Yes there such a thing as a rich farmer again lol. I am happy for them but I am still unsure about the turbines and the deal the province signed.

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Prairie Guy

Another white elephant for you here, Andy?

If I were a Manitoba taxpayer I'd want to know a lot more about what's going on here and specifically what short or long-term commitments and price guarantees have been made with respect to wind power, which is generally very expensive, at a time of falling energy prices. I'd also like to know why Hydro is going after wind power when it already produces large amounts of hydro power that is relatively clean as well -- would building these huge turbine fields from scratch actually be less environmentally harmful than some sort of incremental increase in hydro production up north? Why are they pursuing additional capacity at all? Maybe there are excellent and satisfactory answers to these questions -- I have no idea, but I doubt that they'll even be asked by Manitoba's dimwit media, other than the Black Rod of course.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by Andy6

If I were a Manitoba taxpayer I'd want to know a lot more about what's going on here and specifically what short or long-term commitments and price guarantees have been made with respect to wind power, which is generally very expensive, at a time of falling energy prices. I'd also like to know why Hydro is going after wind power when it already produces large amounts of hydro power that is relatively clean as well -- would building these huge turbine fields from scratch actually be less environmentally harmful than some sort of incremental increase in hydro production up north? Why are they pursuing additional capacity at all? Maybe there are excellent and satisfactory answers to these questions -- I have no idea, but I doubt that they'll even be asked by Manitoba's dimwit media, other than the Black Rod of course.

You mean Manitoba Hydro ratepayers? I don't think any taxpayer money ever has gone into these projects. Taxpayers don't subsidize ratepayers - its the other way around.

If you think northern hydro projects are 'relatively clean' then you haven't talked to the people they've affected or seen the landscape permanently altered firsthand. I'm no engineer but I've never heard of any 'incremental increase' being possible. Why are we pursuing additional capacity? I guess to make more money. Or should we just be satisfied with the status quo? Even if overall demand was flat, wouldn't we still want to produce more green energy if it means less carbon-generated electricity?

Regarding dead bats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRqu4WiLQfk

Bats seem to die without impact, while birds die due to impact with turbine blades. Can't find the CBC clip but it was on the news about two months back.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by viperred88

yeah my uncles will be rich from this deal. Yes there such a thing as a rich farmer again lol. I am happy for them but I am still unsure about the turbines and the deal the province signed.

rich maybe not but and extra few $k per turbine on your land is OK. considering the land can still be used below it.