Wind power not so green by Stephen McCarthy

Presently the issue of wind power is affecting communities throughout New York state. The lines have been drawn between the wind companies and those who support industrial wind power against those who object to this enormous threat to their quality of life. In many towns, the fight has become ugly, objecting to this enormous threat to their quality of life, pitting neighbor against neighbor and family against family. This is exactly what the big corporations want: Keep the general public from really understanding the issues; if possible, keep them from even seeing what the issues are. By the time we realize what's hit us, the corporations will have made their bundle of money, and our beautiful countryside will be gone, altered beyond recognition.

I am sorry to say that most positions taken by the people -- and it doesn't matter if it is pro or con -- are made mainly through emotion and not with real facts. The issue should not be about "Yes to green energy." I am sure we all can agree that true green energy is good for all of us. The real question: is wind power the answer and do the facts back it up as our green energy savior?

Wind as a green energy source, once operating, is a good thing. What we do not know is how much damage is done to the environment from inception through manufacture to installation and operation. MIT is attempting to answer this question, calculating the energy used and CO2 emissions put into the atmosphere from conception to operation of a wind park. I believe we may all be shocked by the results of this study!

Common sense should tell us that we need another approach. Wind is not a miracle cure. It is like putting a Band-Aid on an amputation. It may have its place, but that place isn't Meredith, or anyplace else in the Catskills. The way it is being done will only enrich the pockets of the wind companies, and of the small handful of people who have made business arrangements with the companies. Their gain is our loss.

If this is to be stopped, it has to start with us. We do not need corporations making billions of dollars because we will not change our lifestyles. We need to reduce our consumption, and we need to do it now. Anyone who thinks wind is a magical cure or even a practical solution, is in for a rude awakening. We need to drive fuel-efficient vehicles, turn off the lights, use energy-efficient appliances, turn down the heat and turn off the air conditioners. Those who can, need to generate their own electricity using solar and small wind.

This change needs to start from the ground up. Do your part, force your elected officials to do their part and make them accountable for their actions. And most of all, say "YES to green energy" and "NO to corporate greed."

McCarthy of Meredith is a member of the Meredith Defense Fund, www.MeredithDefenseFund.org.