The answer is blowing in the wind

Our Opinion

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The couple hopes that the turbine will help decrease their dependence on electricity — the very power produced at the plant that they can see from their home.

The couple on March 11 celebrated the installation of the turbine. It is the first such wind device installed in Southern Maryland. It's a new concept but one that is being talked about a lot. People all over the country are trying to find ways to "go green." Whether it's driving a hybrid or installing solar panels, geothermal heating systems or, as with Robinson and Elliott, installing your own personal windmill, the ideas are catching on.

We've heard no complaints about the Robinson-Elliott turbine. Installation of turbines in other areas has some drawn opposition. Some Western Maryland residents fought a plan to install them in state parks in that region. Some opponents say they are too noisy, they can be a danger to birds and they are unsightly.

But let's consider the benefits. Wind costs nothing and it doesn't emit any harmful gases into the air. It's clean energy. But it does, of course, depend, well, on the wind. Robinson has a backup for when the wind isn't blowing. He says his turbine could, at times, produce more power than he needs at his home. In that case, the electric company would issue him a credit. Can you imagine your meter spinning backward?

Robinson said his wind turbine cost about $23,000. He received a $6,000 grant from the state and a $6,000 tax credit to help offset the turbine's price tag.

It's a worthwhile investment to consider — and not only for individual homeowners. Governments and schools should consider the economic long-term benefits and the value of such projects. Charles County is currently planning to build a new high school that it hopes will have all the bells and whistles that new modern school buildings should have. That would be an excellent test case for use of turbines by the local schools.

There are acres and acres of farmland currently not in production since many farmers enrolled in the tobacco buyout program years ago. Wouldn't some of that open land make ideal locations for wind turbines? Actually, the land could still be used for farming even with the wind structures on them. It seems there are many possibilities that could be considered. Charles County could be a leader in the green movement.

Purchasing and installing the turbines does cost a lot of money. But the initial outlay could pale next to the savings that could be seen over the years. And the advantages for the environment are, how do they say, priceless.