Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
Where the Wind Blows!
As a kickoff to my new blog site I thought it only appropriate to look in our own back yard for what is new and exciting in the world of sustainability. Below is an excerpt from the North Shore Outlook regarding the approval of a wind turbine on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver BC's first wind turbine approved for Grouse Mountain.
Grouse Mountain has cleared one of the last hurdles to erect a massive wind turbine near the top of the Peak Chair. District of North Vancouver voted 4-3 to approve a development permit for a wind turbine which stretches more than 100 metres high at the tip of its blades. Despite some last minute opposition from residents, the majority of council backed the project.
Councillor Alan Nixon voted against the permit because he doesn't believe the motivation for the project is
rooted in the environment. "I think this has got less to do with saving energy than about a giant billboard in the sky for Grouse Mountain," said Nixon.
The resort expects to complete construction of the turbine in November 2009. Once completed its expected to provide up to 20 per cent of the resorts energy needs.
Nixon said the project could also have grave effects on local birds and bats.
In August, Calgary researchers discovered that hundreds of bats were being killed each year by wind turbines. The researchers concluded that a drop in pressure behind the turbine blades causes the animals lungs to explode.
"There is evidence that these things are causing mortality among bats," said Nixon. "Just that picture in my mind (of exploding lungs) is really what had a huge bearing on it."
Although Grouse will save energy, McLaughlin said it will take nine to 13 years to recoup cost of the turbine through energy savings. But he said the goal of the project was not necessarily economic.
For full article is available at...
www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/30657584.html
Senga's Says:
What this article does not tell you is that this project is estimated to cost over 5 million dollars to build! Oh and that viewing platform plans are that an interpretive centre will be added in future phases.
Senga's Summary:
- A project that is going to cost over 5 million dollars
- Supplies only 20% green energy now and in the future
- May kill local wildlife on an ongoing basis
- Slated to provide a lookout platform and interpretive center but reputed to not be a marketing tool?!?!?!
- Reportedly no one is going to see this clear cut from Vancouver???? However this 300 foot high (100 metre sounds smaller) will sit on top of Grouse Mountain in a currently forested area . A minimum 300 to 500 foot diameter swath of established forest will be clear cut to make way for the blades, viewing platform and access.
You be the judge Sustain ABLE or Sustaina BULL???
Senga and Councillor Nixon seem to be two of the few who aren't fooled by Grouse Mountain's marketing side-shows. From a 2006 Animal Advocates WatchDog post, "Coola and Grinder continue to live on Grouse Mountain, but in 2005 they too earned notoriety when in full view of a group of horrified tourists, Grinder killed one of four wolves placed in the pen with him and Coola." (Read more at http://aaswatchdog.com/cgi-bin/watchdog.pl/noframes/read/13644 ) <br/> <br/> Judy Stone
Posted by Animal Advocates Society of BC on Sunday, December 21, 2008 8:57 AM