Wind+Turbines+in+the+Delaware+Bay

=**Summary of Problem**=

Building Wind Turbines of the coast of Delaware is a very controversial subject. Many people are for it because of the “Going Green” trend. But many more are against it because of its effect on money and the economy right now. Times are hard and citizens feel that taking on a project this big will affect us in a negative way in the near future but pro turbine believer believe that the end justify the means.The question is,should we support the building of wind turbines in the Delaware Bay?

=**Let's Build Wind Turbines!!!**= =The reason we should build wind turbines is because wind Power is 100% pollution free!=

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 * Why should we spend so much money on wind turbines? Because, once they are built wind is no cost. The wind will power the turbines which will power many other things. A wind turbine is basically a giant charger that converts kinetic energy in to mechanical energy. Wind turbines are also clean and produce no pollution which means the are safer then the normal genorators.** **According to Windustry, using wind turbines to supply energy can provide many economic benefits to the United States, which includes: energy prices being stable.** **Wind Power also means that taxes will be a whole lot less. If you were to equipt your home with an offshore wind turbine in a matter of years you would have more than enough energy for your home and it would be free. If the United States were to generate 20 percent of its electricity from wind energy by the year 2030, it would eliminate 825 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.**
 * Putting them in the delaware bay is a great idea sure it may cost alot at first but in a few years they will wbe paying for themselves.** **WInd turbines are Great by themsleves but when you put them in the water were during the day there is a constant sea breeze makes them awesome. If the delaware wind farm is built it will generate up to 1.4 GW's of power. That alone will take up over 1/3 of delawares fossil fuel consumption. This will also reduce many green house gases along with reductions in other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and toxins such as** **mercury.**

=**Lets Find A Solution That Does't Create Even More Problems**=

Cost is the first big factor. The project itself is estimated to cost between 1.6- 2 million dollars .NRG Energy Bluewater Wind; the company and the technicians behind the project and the proposal can’t find a partner to fund the project; therefor, according to NRG, the project will be put “on hold” till the near future. So where will the money come from if they don’t find a partner in the near future? That question is simply answered. Tax payer’s money, our money will ultimately pay for the project. If not tax money then the government will cut funding in another area such as education, just as they have done in the past. Budget cuts have already affected many people in the U.S. for example, according to “An Update on State Budget Cuts” by Nicholas Johnson, Phil Oliff and Erica Williams, cuts have already been made to K-12/ Early Education and State workforce, both of which affect working class families greatly and therefor affecting the simulation of the economy. Sounds like the solution is creating more problems.

Another major reason not to follow through with this project is that it will greatly disturb not just marine life, but animals on land as well. Building the wind turbines will kill many fish and their habitats during installation and long after installation is threw, nay mind you it will take four years to complete. Pro Turbine believer claim that over time it will act as an artificial habitat and will improve some fish’s survival, but how could that be true when the never ending currents and vibrations from the turbines will stun and kill the fish as well.At its worst this could alter the food chain if only temporarily, but even at a temporary level altering the food chain could change life for us dramatically. These are just the effects on marine life. The government states that the goal is that the wind turbines will supply 1,000 megawatts of electricity by 2012, But at what cost? The noise level of one turbine is worse than cars on the interstate going 60 mph. This noise level will be constant and will disturb animals and humans in ways unknown exactly, but it is clear that when animals don’t like something they move to find better conditions just as humans do. The entire project could create a ripple effect of problems that will build up before we could reap the benefits of it all.

If you want to talk more about how much money and electricity it will save lets first look at the fact that it would take at least a year to build enough money to partially pay for itself. Bluewater is only paying attention to future benefits, but what about how it will affect people here and now. Following through with this project will diminish tourist attractions such as: commercial boating, fishing and other water activities. Not only that, but the 68,640 sq. wind farm will hinder the view due to its 73.5 meter long blades just 13miles off the coast. Bluewater states that the view will not be affected because you won’t be able to see them. My question is how could you miss them. By approving this project they will be taking a financial step that the U.S can’t afford to take right now. We as a nation are already in debt. We need to take smaller steps to boost the economy that will help citizens directly instead of doing things like this project right now.