Science

... dozens maybe more dead turbines for every newer monster wind turbine. The access roads are ugly too.

Pardon me if I don't see the beauty in the newer monster turbines, or the old dead turbines.

I think there are better ways than windmills to reduce our use of fossil fuels.

These giant wind turbines encourage major capital investments in a type of natural gas generated electricity that may not be desirable.

Sure, these gas/wind hybrid power systems are "better than coal," but most ways of generating electricity are better than coal.

When we install these wind turbines are we overlooking other ways of reducing fossil fuel use? Are we committing ourselves to power sources that may not be desirable in the long run?

I liken fossil fuels to smoking. To quit smoking you have to quit smoking. To quit fossil fuels you have to quit fossil fuels. These hybrid wind/gas systems are the equivalent of the old "light" cigarettes that were heavily advertised in the 'seventies. Switching to "light" cigarettes may not have had any health benefits at all, certainly not those of actually quitting smoking.

It's possible I'm too fond of birds and bats and windy hillsides unscarred by human industry.

If we are building wind turbines to power the air conditioners of big box stores, or immense computer server farms tracking "consumers" and pushing targeted advertising, then maybe we're going about things in the wrong way.