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GUEST EDITORIAL - By
David Savage A great opportunity for Cherokee County Cherokee County residents have a unique opportunity to start sharing in the economic benefits of modern wind power. Alabama Power recently bought wind generating capacity equal to three times its power plant in Gadsden. TVA is already buying more wind generating capacity than its large coal plant in Huntsville. These utilities are turning to wind power because it is cheap and reliable. The only problem is that all of it comes from places like Kansas and Iowa. That's right, none of it is produced here in Alabama, and so Alabama is getting none of the tax revenues, jobs, and other benefits. The conventional wisdom that it's not windy enough here is no longer true. The focus in the past has been the high wind areas of the central plains, and many wind farms now operate from Texas to North Dakota. But improved technology from leading companies like GE has made wind energy economically feasible in the South for the first time. As a result, our company, Pioneer Green Energy, is now developing what could be Alabama's first wind farm: the Shinbone wind project in Cherokee County. The Shinbone project will consist of a row of wind turbines on the ridge running from behind Cherokee Rock Village to the Etowah County line. The project will produce a lot of electricity–the amount used by two-thirds of Cherokee County homes combined. The turbines are tall and will be visible from a distance. Some will like the view–it is what local, clean energy independence looks like after all–and others may not. The turbines also will make some sound, but you can easily have a normal conversation standing below one and most people can barely hear them 1,000 ft. away. No one's power bill will be affected by the project–in fact, one reason TVA is entering into contracts to buy renewable energy is to avoid rising purchased power prices and keep consumer prices down. Unlike coal or gas powered plants, whose power prices rise with fuel price increases and new environmental regulations, wind farms operate at stable costs because their fuel is free and wind speeds are highly predictable. The potential economic benefits of the project to Cherokee County and nearby areas are big, and will come at a time when they are badly needed. A recent study by Jacksonville State University concluded that the project could provide–every year for 30 years–$300,000 in new county tax revenues for schools, services and roads and $1 million in new economic activity. Construction could provide $15.9 million in new economic activity and bring 113 high quality jobs to the area and the state. We are excited about the strong interest that has been shown in the Shinbone project. TVA has signed a long-term contract to buy all of the power, provided certain milestones are met. Almost all of the project will be on private land, but the Cherokee Parks and Recreation Board has agreed that a single turbine can be placed on land behind Cherokee Rock Village. The turbine must be at least 2,000 ft. away from the main parking area. The revenues the park would earn could sustain it for a generation. One idea being explored is a unique opportunity for the public to see a turbine up close–a step JSU says could add up to $2.2 million in new tourism dollars every year. The public's input on
the Shinbone project is important to us, as well as to TVA. We will be
reaching out to the community in the coming months to provide information
and TVA will conduct its own study of the project and invite public input. A
final decision on whether the project will proceed likely will come next
summer and construction could begin late next year. David Savage is vice president of Austin-Texas, based Pioneer Green Energy. To learn more about the Shinbone wind turbine project visit www.shinbonewind.com or www.pioneergreen.com. |