To the editor:
I am writing in response to an article in the August 2004 issue of Working Waterfront titled “Zero-emission wind energy planned for Grand Manan,” by Bob Gustafson. First of all, I wholeheartedly support any effort to incorporate more alternative energy sources into our lives. The positive aspects of these sources of energy (be they wind, solar or geothermal) are just what our shrinking planet needs. On the other hand, I am curious what the negative aspects of this particular project might be. What sort of additional infrastructure (and its attendant construction/destruction) would be needed? How would the many different species of birds, both migratory and residential, be affected? I understand wind farms in the western part of the country have traditionally been very hard on birds of prey, buteos in particular. Mr. Gustafson mentioned “environmental impacts” in his article and I’m just curious what those impacts might be and how or if they are being addressed.
Chris Leach
Beals