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stoppropagandism.  It's clear you are misinformed regarding your assertion that bringing windpower online does not impact the way in which our country meets its energy needs.  Many examples exist that show that wind resources reduces the need for other forms of power even given its characteristic of being intermittent power.  Denmark is indeed a great example who's power supply is over 20% renewable and much cleaner than the US's.  They couldn't achieve this with today's technology without their wind turbines.  I'm guessing most of your "fools" can understand this.

Regarding, your comment on the other "me" crowd.  I'm curious what statistics you base your claim that "The vast majority of tourists to the Gorge come to enjoy the scenic beauty and all that it entails."  By that assertion we could ban windsurfing, kiting, snowsports, white water rafting, etc. from the Gorge and it would have very little impact on the gorge economy since the "vast majority" aren't coming out here for that any way.    Do you really believe that?  Have you ever heard of DaKine, Ezzy, Windwing, Slingshot, Chinook Sailing, and North Sails?  Yeah, they all have substantial presences in the Gorge if not headquarters, and they all support the "me" crowd.

posted 1 year, 11 months ago
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I've been living in the Gorge for three years and have been visiting for over 10 before that and I challenge anyone to start surveying Kiters and windsurfers to ask them if they would continue coming here if we put up wind turbines to start generating our power.  There is no doubt they would say, "are you kidding? of course I'm still coming to ride!" 

To say this industry would kill the Tourism industry is classic fear mongering.  I would go as far as to say many tourists would even prefer to come to a location that powered itself and promoted clean energy, especially when you consider that these projects will go that much further to providing the needed energy to shut down the Boardman plant, which by the way is causing real negative impacts to our natural world, not perceived.   The Ski Industry has already figured this out and resorts like Aspen and Mt Hood Meadows market their effort at low impact operations as another reason to come and experience their area.  

This industry makes imminent sense for our region and its frustrating to see short-sighted interests attempting to prevent these developments from becoming reality.  I can only hope that someday soon all residents and visitors of the Gorge can enjoy the benefits of electricity without the environmental damage from energy production tied to oil and the terrible calamaties we are currently witnessing.

posted 1 year, 12 months ago
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