A Conversation About Wind Energy

I was part of an interesting conversation the other day about windmill farms. Our town, Virginia City, is in a raging debate about allowing a wind energy project to take place in our county. So far, I understand the majority to be against the project. Personally, I think it would be great, but a neighbor mentions 2 opposing opinions that I found to be legitimate concerns.

First, Virginia City is a historic town. The rest of the world is changing, but our local economy really depends on not seeing that change take place here. Wind projects have a large visual impact and that would be a contradiction to the ‘old West’ goal of the town. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Second, they are an oddity. That is the exact word used and I thought it fit well. Using the example of driving to Palm Springs, you see massive wind farms that are just different from anything you see in nature. From a distance, you may compare the vast expanse of windmills to cranes that are moving their wings, but never actually taking off in flight. Up close, they are massive and intimidating. Describing them as an oddity seems to fit.

Then the conversation turns again. Why are they white? If the windmills were painted a more natural color, they would blend into the environment more, becoming a bit less of an oddity.

Today I googled this question and I haven’t found an expert answer as to why the windmills are white. I have found that others question this too when communities do not complain about noise or danger. Instead, communities complain that they are ugly.

I hope our county could find a location that will work. That will only happen if a compromise is met to enable the windmills to fade into the background and not be a contrary existence to the historic objective of our community.



*Technically, I should say wind turbine. But many people still think of them as wind mills so I share this story as it took place.