The Dark Side of Being Green
May 23, 2009
A golden eagle was killed when it collided with a wind turbine in Washington State. Seems like the PC thing to do right now is to convert to wind and solar to get off fossil fuels. While I have no problem with getting off fossil fuels I think the only realistic option right now is nuclear but most greeners are opposed to that. Many countries have safely used nuclear power for years with little impact.
A golden eagle died last month when it collided with a wind turbine blade at a 47-turbine wind farm in Klickitat County.
While this was the first known eagle death at this project historically projects like this kill raptors every year.
Though the golden eagle death is the first reported in Washington, raptor deaths have been common at wind projects elsewhere. Between 570 and 835 raptors are killed annually in wind turbines at California’s Altamont Pass Wind Power Resource Area, the world’s largest.
While I’m not foolish enough to believe that any project whether green or not would be incident free it seems to be a double standard for many greeners. President Obama this week pushed ridiculous fuel economy standards on the struggling car industry this week and a standard that will put most of us driving small less safe vehicles.
I guess the bottom line is while I consider myself a conservationist but I’m not sold on the whole green thing.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, I’ll explore new places and ideas I’ll learn new things and I’ll teach the things I’ve learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
