Pro-wind: Letter in our in-box

The following letter was received by the PC regarding recent discussions on wind farms.

"In regard to the article in the recent Valley Reporter regarding ways to minimize the visual impacts of wind farms, I wanted to direct your attention to a new technology that will reduce the visual impact of wind farms. Wind farm siting and permitting officials can help lower the visual impact of wind farms by recommending the deployment of new AVWS technologies on wind turbines.

While large wind farms generate clean energy, their constantly flashing red strobe lights cause great public annoyance and is usually not noticed until after the wind farm is sited and constructed. The wind farm’s legacy can include this “light pollution” and have a tremendous negative impact on the community. The effects of these flashing lights on the nearby community should be considered during the wind farm permitting and development process.

Recently approved by the FAA, the new generation of “on-demand” lighting systems solves this problem by keeping all wind turbine obstruction lights OFF at all times - unless an aircraft is detected flying on an unsafe heading towards the wind farm. Only then does the turbine-based radar system turn the lights on for aircraft safety, and turn the lights off when the aircraft exits the airspace. An Audio Visual Warning System (AVWS) is an on-demand lighting solution. Wind siting and permitting officials can request wind power developers to implement an AVWS into their wind farms to reduce these adverse visual impacts in your communities.

An AVWS will benefit your community by:

· Lowering the overall environmental and visual impact of wind farms by reducing “light pollution” and increasing public acceptance in wind energy-producing communities.
· Allow for camouflage paint schemes on turbine towers with no FAA-required 24-hour lights on
· Reducing bird death rates in some areas since migratory birds are less likely to be attracted to wind farm lights and lured toward the operating turbines.
· Fostering more responsible siting practices and therefore overall positive and growth in the wind industry.

PS: If you are interested in learning more about this new technology, please see: http://ocasinc.com/turbine-avoidance-solutions.cfm"