Readers: Ocean City wind turbines, pro and con
Benefits outweigh problems with proposal
Wind energy has been around a long time — Holland has all those wonderful windmills. To preserve our environment and increase options in an ever-increasing world where electricity is needed, I see no reason not to invest in wind turbines off the coast.
The Ocean City Town Council has concerns regarding the offshore wind farm, which they say will hurt tourism and property values if the turbines are not moved farther from the coastline.
It is my belief the project would be wonderful for the economy and bring even more benefits to Maryland, instead of being a detriment.
This country is far behind in advancements that other countries do out of necessity.
Instead of concentrating on all the problems, officials should be concentrating on the benefits and how to assist Marylanders.
Rose Carey
Delmar
BACKGROUND: OC Council protests 'visual pollution' from wind farms
Alternative energy can be found in many forms
There is plenty of wind to go around near the ocean.
I don’t have a problem with alternative energy sources. The real problem is whether a wind farm will have an effect on tourism and ambience.
Ocean City is a vacation capital. People want to see the ocean and beautiful horizon; wind mills would not add to the charm. I am sure an engineer could design other alternatives to fit in with the natural surroundings.
I recently read an article about solar panels that can be installed on roadways and are safe for vehicles to drive on. This could be a win-win for everyone.
Tourism is a big industry for Ocean City; it pays the bills, provides jobs and allows people to unwind from hectic lifestyles.
Install the wind farm so it doesn’t impede the beautiful view of nature.
Carl Crumbacker Sr.
Eden
OPINION: Kudos for civil discourse on OC offshore wind project
Too many questions about investment in offshore wind
I wish I could think positively about the proposed wind farm. Unfortunately, my knowledge of similar efforts by government-private partnerships prevents that. The waste, fraud and abuse that occurred just a few years ago when the government was dumping billions of taxpayers dollars into schemes such as Solyndra and Beacon Power (more than $16 billion) should give anyone pause.
The Block Island wind farm just came online a few months ago. Can we wait a couple of years to see how that one operates?
How much did it truly cost to build? These types of projects are notorious for cost overruns. What is the cost to maintain the blades and cost per replacement?
How many KW hours are produced at what cost, as compared to standard energy production?
Many questions need to be answered.
And no, I do not want to pollute the Earth and make it unlivable for future generations.
Carol Frazier
Ocean Pines
READ MORE: OC council unmoved by Deepwater wind farm proposal
Need for alternative energy overrides visual issues
Yes it is a good idea. We need alternative sources for energy to power our smartphones, electric cars and other devices.
To make it reasonably cost-effective, a wind farm shouldn’t be more than 2 miles offshore.
To those who will say it will mar the beauty of the horizon, I say it will hardly be noticeable.
Besides. it should be used as a talking point to claim: “Hey, look at us, we have a wind farm that is providing energy for most of Delmarva.”
This is an opportunity to prove once and for all whether alternative energy, without price supports, really is viable.
Next on the list should be several desalination plants.
Arie Klapholz
Ocean Pines
OPINION: It's too late to be bickering about the view in OC
Gains from wind farm far outweigh losses
A sustainable energy wind farm located off the coast of Ocean City is a positive step in the proper direction. A willingness on the part of US Wind to move the farm an additional 5 miles offshore should make any concern about aesthetics not worth the lingering debate.
Creosote electric poles are the height of ugly, but nobody says anything because without them, many people would live in the dark. I watched ancient poles replaced with new poles because putting electric underground was costlier. Nobody complained.
The farm will be practically invisible, if not completely invisible some days.
However, we all have our opinions. I have never found wind turbines to be visually displeasing.
A long discussion could be pursued, if space permitted, as to why some of us find certain man-influenced sceneries pleasing while others do not.
Much is gained and little lost with the wind farm.
George Timothy Mason
Salisbury
Project has public support, won’t hurt tourism
As a proponent of clean energy, I agree with a wind farm located offshore of Ocean City.
The Ocean City Town Council is concerned with the original plans that show the windmills the size of a thumbnail at arm’s length, so the company agreed to move them another 5 miles farther out to sea, at quite an additional cost to the company.
I believe if that distance is still not satisfactory, Ocean City should pay for any additional distance. That is what compromise is all about.
The public is largely supportive of the wind farm and the project will not hurt tourism.
Deborah Nissley
Fairmount
Turbines on horizon versus smokestacks spewing smoke?
Let’s see. Would we rather have a wind farm off the coast or black smoke rolling out of the power plants here on the Shore? Of course it is a no-brainer. And think of the additional asset of more fishing spots around the reefs created when they anchor the windmills offshore! Those who say it would hurt the horizon must not be able to see the beauty of windmills. I haven’t yet seen one of these I would object to even if you put it in my backyard. And with Trump and Harris working to ruin the Bay and our environment by deregulating and supporting the coal industry which is better? Let’s all get on board what nature is providing us — a clean and environmentally friendly way to power our lives. Hurray for wind and solar power, cheaper and better for us.
Geoff Smoot
Hebron