Check
this video out that tells the story of how a teacher and a bunch of
high school kids got involved to make the First Wind project a success.
Regards,
Rob Adams
Beaver, UT
EDITOR'S
NOTE: Alternative energy may be an economic boon for towns like Beaver,
but if we believe in climate change and if we are resigned to a world
population of10 or 11 billion by 2050 and if we think we can maintain
the "American Dream" of a never ending spiral of consumption, and
FINALLY if we are prepared to embrace the fact that most of the world's
population wants to live the same consumptive life we have, then all
these alternative energy projects are a waste of time as a solution to
global warming. Too bad we didn't embrace these kinds of projects en
masse 40 years ago...JS
HURRAHS FOR 'ALTERNATIVE ENERGV IN BEAVER, UTAH
Hello Jim,
I
have been telling myself for the past several weeks I needed write to
thank you for your contributions to the San Juan Record. I also
congratulate editor Bill Boyle for extending the invitation.
I
find your comments very constructive toward engaging all parties to the
continuing discussions regarding rural issues throughout the west.
Whether you are one of the "new west" (whatever that means) or a
multigenerational native, we are all best served by engaging in
discussion. I grew up in San Juan County and will always call it home.
A couple of branches in my family tree came from Hole-in-the-Rock
pioneers so my roots are quite deep among the Anglo Saxons in the
county.
I
now live in Beaver and serve as the Beaver County Economic Development
Director. You may or may not have read in the paper that we have been
successful in harnessing some of the abundant renewable resources in
our county for economic benefit. We recently cut the ribbon on the 200+
megawatt wind turbine farm north of Milford and a year ago had a
similar ceremony on a new geothermal plant west of Minersville. In
another year and a half we hope to have our third geothermal plant
operational. With a little luck we should have solar operations up by
that time also.
We
have tried hard to brand ourselves as the epicenter of Utah's renewable
energy resources. It appears we are having some success in that arena
but there is still much to be done. The global warming debate has
actually forced most in our community to come together. In this county
there are more reasons for us to agree than to disagree, particularly
with those who align themselves with the more mainstream environmental
movement. When the issue of global warming comes up in a rural
conversation, I always say "global warming is no religion to me" but
quickly add, it has been the single greatest blessing to our county in
years.
To
those that claim power from renewable sources is too expensive, I
counter by saying that yes, it may seem more expensive now, but most
forms of renewable generation are fixed costs, they last a long time
and they are not subject to volatile fuel price fluctuations. Some of
the cheapest power in the United States today comes from hydroelectric
dams along the Columbia River. That power is cheap for two reasons l)
they were heavily subsidized in the beginning by the federal
government and 2) they are largely depreciated. While many will argue
the fact that these hydro projects are environmentally destructive,
they are similar to current renewable projects in that they do not
require fossil fuels and hence are not subject to price fluctuations.
These factors make investment in renewable energy prudent for the
country.
If
you are ever in Beaver County give me a call, I would love to show
firsthand how the global warming debate has been an advantage to our
rural communities.