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Proponents of wind are sold on the idea that wind power and other “renewables” will eventually power our economic engine to new heights of GDP, with benefits for all. We really do not have to change our life styles, as we will merely substitute renewables for non-renewables.
Throw in “green” jobs, payment of money to leasers, tax breaks and incentives for developers, taxes for local governments, etc., as well as constant PR propaganda, and you have a public generally convinced of the good behind this industry. Gas, coal, and nuclear are all lumped together as undesirable alternatives for producing electricity.
Furthermore, if you oppose wind because your health and happiness, as well as that of your loved ones, might be affected by nearby turbines, then you are labeled a NIMBY. If you complain of noise or light flicker affecting your health afterwards, then you are spreading falsehoods, are a hypochondriac, or are delusional.
The wind industry and their propagandists will tell you that there is no evidence of noise or light flicker affecting the health of anyone living near these machines, dismissing studies and complaints to the contrary.
Like a ticking clock, these devices could not possibly be keeping you awake at night! If they are correct, why are there no wind developers, politicians, or county commissioners living next to industrial wind turbines?
I have been told that a few residents on Backbone Mountain must suffer for the needs of the many who receive clean, renewable electricity, and what about all those “green” jobs!
In fact, I read that Constellation estimated that there would be two, full-time permanent jobs for their project on Backbone Mountain! According to County Administrator Pagenhardt, the county should get $1 million yearly in utility tax revenues, a whopping 1 percent of the county budget.
Proponents will also argue that even if wind replaces not a single coal-fired power plant, it does contribute something to the grid and helps with the increasing demand for electricity.
Little do they consider that if we try to maintain or increase our per capita consumption of energy, there will never be enough, as our population continues to grow exponentially drawing upon limited resources. Just a 1 percent growth rate means a doubling every 70 years!
Until we deal with the real issue of “growth,” we will never find a solution to the energy crisis, or any other crisis for that matter.
J. Edward Gates
Frostburg
Letters
We must deal with ‘growth,’ or energy crisis will never end
- Letters
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Traffic Group not for public
Let’s all cry crocodile tears for the Cumberland City Traffic Group. Let us all boo hoo for the potential demise of an open public meeting that is, in point of fact, not open to the public to begin with.
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Vietnam veterans bearing burden of proof
Vietnam veterans who never had boots-on-ground in Vietnam, who are sick from presumptive exposure to agent orange dioxin poisoning, are tied up in paperwork.
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There are more important things to worry about than this
This letter is a response to the story, “With pastor, McKay lays into same-sex marriage” on Feb. 10 (Page 1A).
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Just when did God change his mind about marriage?
I just saw Rev. Al Sharpton’s commercial for same-sex marriage where he claims to be a Baptist and would never impose his religious opinions on others.
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Just because they listen doesn’t mean they hear you
What makes a good elected official? At the end of every public meeting County Commissioner Mike McKay tells his constituents, “thanks for participating in your government.”
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Why would you get married?
Today, after reading many news feeds across America, I have become even more saddened at the state of our beloved country than ever before.
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Governor wants our money for something that won’t help us
Gov. Martin O’Malley is like a spoiled little boy who spends his allowance on candy and runs back to his parents demanding more money.
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Dennett Road is the best place for special needs children
I have three children in my home who attend Dennett Road Elementary School. One is a son in fourth grade who has done amazing there and received a wonderful education.
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Even though he’s gone, we still know who’s to blame for this
Every time I drive by the gas station and see the all-time-high prices, I want to find George Bush and give him a piece of my mind!
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These are just shell games
Dear Mr. Franchot:
It isn’t bad enough that the “Free State” of Maryland is ranked “having the ninth-worst tax climate in the nation, primarily because of income, unemployment insurance and property tax rates, No. 46 for individual income tax rates, No. 45 for its unemployment insurance tax rates and No. 40 for property tax rates (“Ninth-worst: Maryland tax climate hurts climate for business,” editorial, Jan. 29 Times-News). - More Letters Headlines
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Traffic Group not for public
