1.5 Megawatt wind turbines sit in a field at sunrise just south of Lamar. (Matthew Staver, Bloomberg)
Re: “Wind energy protects wildlife,” Nov. 29 My Turn column.
The authors of this column make a statement that “Wind energy is not only free of emissions harming our air quality, but it also doesn’t require mining, drilling, or transporting.” This statement could not be further from the truth.
The materials that make up wind turbines are created from the results of mining and drilling. Steel, copper and other metals come directly from mining. Energy to process and refine the metals comes principally from hydrocarbons — thus drilling. Plastics are petrochemicals, which come from petroleum — thus drilling. The concrete for the turbine bases comes from products that are mined. The fuel for transporting the turbines to their location come from drilling for oil.
Without mining and drilling, there would be no way for wind energy (and solar energy as well) to function.
Robert Preusser, Littleton
This letter was published in the Dec. 6 edition.
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