Wind power becoming increasingly popular on clarkhoward.com

The Department of Energy is now saying that wind power could represent 20% or more of our future energy needs.

Wind power in the United States began as something of a curiosity and a big money loser. The first wave of installations took place in the '70s just west of Palm Springs, Calif.

Today's windmills are highly automated and can even rotate to catch the wind. We're also getting closer to figuring out how to store the energy that's generated, which had long been a problem.

However, one of the main deterrents to wind power remains the "NIMBY" mentality. People love the idea, but "not in my backyard."

For example, the wealthy are protesting the installation of wind power off the coast of Massachusetts. Likewise, The Houston Chronicle reports that some HOAs in Texas are fighting solar installations.

Clark thinks we all need to grow up and look at the greater good. We need a gut-check as Americans. Are we going to be sitting ducks to foreign energy, or will we seize the moment and work to find alternative forms?

What others are saying

Windmills
I think windmills are a work of art.
By K @ 04/24/09 12:16:27 PMreport abuse
wind power
I agree with the person responding witht the title "wind power or no wind power below" I have often thought that this would be the future... ie a windmill or field of mills in each sub divisions providing power and selling back the excess to the power companies. I have heard that there is some noise associated with the item but wouldn't that be addressed by having a dedicated field located away from your house? Is this a business opportunity to be explored ?
By Jim Jones @ 06/26/08 10:38:49 AMreport abuse
Phoenix Wind Power Farms
I live in a suburb of Phoenix and to my knowledge there are no wind power farms such as the farms in Palm Springs. I cannot fathom why not? Is there anyone out there who has the answer? We have so much open desert that I would think it would be a no-brainer.
And in response to the HOA's who ban solar panels, I would contact my local government. I know Congress is working on making it illegal for HOA's to ban solar. In our community of 2020 homes, it is not only legal, they encourage you to put up solar panels( most people cannot afford it, though). I am currently considering a solar panel system you lease from a company called CitizenRe.
By Glenna Merriott @ 06/06/08 11:59:35 AMreport abuse
wind power or no power
Why not a small wind mil in your back yard and a battery generator in the garage.

I can remember when neighbors complained about satellite dishes--but now, not so much.

Time, demand, supply and price of energy will sell the complaining USA on alternative energy
By TC M @ 06/05/08 12:17:13 PMreport abuse
Wind energy
I moved from north Georgia to Cheyenne, Wyoming 2 years ago. Talk about a great place for wind energy, this is it! Unfortunately, Wyoming has no incentives to offset the cost of a home wind system like many other states do. Despite that, I'm having a Skystream installed this summer. I plan to fly an American flag from it to declare my energy independence, hopefully by the 4th of July!
By Nick @ 06/03/08 05:51:52 PMreport abuse
pathetic
The town of Long Beach passed a new city ordinance because a guy put one of these in his yard, (HIS OWN YARD) because the neighbors complained it cast a shadow on there lawn, we are so in to "looking good" that reality is going to come smack all of us along side the face when we fail to see other alternatives to energy because we are so caught up in "how we look". We won't have to worry about looking good when we can't afford to fuel are big cars and homes, because obviously we are going to be real poor paying the pauper.
By rdzins @ 06/03/08 05:07:54 PMreport abuse
Home wind power
You can get a windmill for your home:
Skystream 3.7 Average Cost: $15,000
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2007-06-01/Improved-Wind-Power.aspx?page=6
By Dave @ 06/03/08 04:05:52 PMreport abuse
backyard windmill
If they could design a windmill (maybe 3 foot in diameter blades) with a turbine generator that could help offset some of the power I get from the grid, I'd be all for putting up one or two of those in my backyard.

I know it's not these monster turbines in a field you see on tv stories or in the newspaper photos, but I think personal backyard windmills to reduce a little bit of reliance on the grid is a good small thing for individuals to do.
By Robert S. @ 06/03/08 01:45:08 AMreport abuse
I'll take a windmill
this country needs to get real. if there is a way that i can be more energy efficient and lower my monthly bills (and conserve the environment), then i am all for it. we should also explore our natural resources with very STRONG understanding that this country MUST look at alternative and "green" fuels (clean coal, wind, solar, etc.). We can drill in Alaska and off our coasts AND be environmental friendly. Can our goverment understand that?
By frank p @ 06/02/08 08:27:59 PMreport abuse
windmills
I'll give them my backyard for a windmill! People need to get over being so picky about their palatial mansions!
By Jennifer Z @ 06/02/08 03:27:48 PMreport abuse

Windmills

I think windmills are a work of art.

By K @ 04/24/09 12:16:27 PMreport abuse

wind power

I agree with the person responding witht the title "wind power or no wind power below" I have often thought that this would be the future... ie a windmill or field of mills in each sub divisions providing power and selling back the excess to the power companies. I have heard that there is some noise associated with the item but wouldn't that be addressed by having a dedicated field located away from your house? Is this a business opportunity to be explored ?

By Jim Jones @ 06/26/08 10:38:49 AMreport abuse

Phoenix Wind Power Farms

I live in a suburb of Phoenix and to my knowledge there are no wind power farms such as the farms in Palm Springs. I cannot fathom why not? Is there anyone out there who has the answer? We have so much open desert that I would think it would be a no-brainer.
And in response to the HOA's who ban solar panels, I would contact my local government. I know Congress is working on making it illegal for HOA's to ban solar. In our community of 2020 homes, it is not only legal, they encourage you to put up solar panels( most people cannot afford it, though). I am currently considering a solar panel system you lease from a company called CitizenRe.

By Glenna Merriott @ 06/06/08 11:59:35 AMreport abuse

wind power or no power

Why not a small wind mil in your back yard and a battery generator in the garage.

I can remember when neighbors complained about satellite dishes--but now, not so much.

Time, demand, supply and price of energy will sell the complaining USA on alternative energy

By TC M @ 06/05/08 12:17:13 PMreport abuse

Wind energy

I moved from north Georgia to Cheyenne, Wyoming 2 years ago. Talk about a great place for wind energy, this is it! Unfortunately, Wyoming has no incentives to offset the cost of a home wind system like many other states do. Despite that, I'm having a Skystream installed this summer. I plan to fly an American flag from it to declare my energy independence, hopefully by the 4th of July!

By Nick @ 06/03/08 05:51:52 PMreport abuse

pathetic

The town of Long Beach passed a new city ordinance because a guy put one of these in his yard, (HIS OWN YARD) because the neighbors complained it cast a shadow on there lawn, we are so in to "looking good" that reality is going to come smack all of us along side the face when we fail to see other alternatives to energy because we are so caught up in "how we look". We won't have to worry about looking good when we can't afford to fuel are big cars and homes, because obviously we are going to be real poor paying the pauper.

By rdzins @ 06/03/08 05:07:54 PMreport abuse

Home wind power

You can get a windmill for your home:
Skystream 3.7 Average Cost: $15,000
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2007-06-01/Improved-Wind-Power.aspx?page=6

By Dave @ 06/03/08 04:05:52 PMreport abuse

backyard windmill

If they could design a windmill (maybe 3 foot in diameter blades) with a turbine generator that could help offset some of the power I get from the grid, I'd be all for putting up one or two of those in my backyard.

I know it's not these monster turbines in a field you see on tv stories or in the newspaper photos, but I think personal backyard windmills to reduce a little bit of reliance on the grid is a good small thing for individuals to do.

By Robert S. @ 06/03/08 01:45:08 AMreport abuse

I'll take a windmill

this country needs to get real. if there is a way that i can be more energy efficient and lower my monthly bills (and conserve the environment), then i am all for it. we should also explore our natural resources with very STRONG understanding that this country MUST look at alternative and "green" fuels (clean coal, wind, solar, etc.). We can drill in Alaska and off our coasts AND be environmental friendly. Can our goverment understand that?

By frank p @ 06/02/08 08:27:59 PMreport abuse

windmills

I'll give them my backyard for a windmill! People need to get over being so picky about their palatial mansions!

By Jennifer Z @ 06/02/08 03:27:48 PMreport abuse

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Jun 02, 2008 -- Wind power becoming increasingly popular

What others are saying