This happened way back in February, and I'm surprised it wasn't reported here. Apparently, according to this Reuters Article, ERCOT, Texas' grid agency reported a Level 2 Emergency when low winds (production dropped from 1700Mw to 300Mw) + low temperatures (higher energy usage) combined. Emergency management of power was necessary to get past this 3 hour window of power fluctuation.

A recent study, summarized in Scientific American starts to shed light on why it is that bat fatalities are so high around wind turbines (and have been growing exponentially with the size of the turbines): air pressure. In doing autopsies on dead bats found near turbines, scientists learned that the bats are dying because their lungs are unable to handle the air pressure changes around turbines. This should lead to some interesting discussions about what to do, as previous assumptions about bats being killed by blades led to much different potential solutions.

Here's a story that has spread across several national news sites regarding the "other side" of the great wind success story at Tug Hill: those left dealing with the noise and shadows from neighboring turbines.

Let's interrupt the series of 3 ( 1, 2, 3, for those with counting issues) stories about Pickens' latest plan to make oodles of (more) cash off his Natural Gas and Wind holdings (one of which I had tried to respond to, but unfortunately it appear this site has comment moderation on, and my comment has not been approved yet)with some real news.

A month ago, NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that an official investigation has been opened with regards to the tactics used by First Wind/UPC Wind and Noble Environmental Power in getting their turbines placed in New York.

I think this is the third time I'm posting this. Now Effie, why on earth would you keep deleting this? Maybe because its a bit of a reality check about how off base you and others were about your wild claims? Here's the link... http://www.pickensplan.com

So how about stopping your creative editing and if you don't like it share with us why you don't instead of suppression opinions and content.

Here is the direct link to Picken's plan. www.PickensPlan.com I am a but surpised that Effie and Anne in the midst of our energy crisis have gone quiet on this topic. But I guess that says volumes.

Here's an interesting article about T. Boone Picking's plan to reduce America's oil dependence.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5330139&page=1

Comments are invited, but I suspect as I mentioned in my previous posting that the recent runup in energy costs pretty much put a dagger in the heart of the anti-wind's movements central argument that wind is not financially feasible. I'd be interested in hearing a counterview if any exists.

I'm just more than a bit curious what Effie, Anne, and other anti wind content contributors of this site have to say about the high price of oil, electricity rates and natural gas in context of the old argument that wind energy wasn't cost effective. I think the price of energy has at least doubled since this site went up. All of a sudden, these wind farms are started to look like a pretty good investment.

Another significant benefit for the environment is moving forward

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1847631020080619

Here's an interesting article in the plattsburgh republican.
http://www.pressrepublican.com/archivesearch/local_story_138224546.html

BTW - in case anyone is interested. My own observations are that these turbines are extremely quiet. A fanstastic engineering feat.