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See common questions surrounding the Cedar Point Wind project and get the answers to frequently asked questions about wind energy.
CEDAR POINT WIND POWER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Cedar Point Wind Project?
Is The Project Compatible With Current Land Use?
What Transmission Line Are You Connecting With?
Will The Project Hurt Land Values?
What Effect Will The Project Have On Wildlife, Avian and Bats?
What Are The Economic Benefits To The Area?
What Are The Future Development Plans For Eastern Colorado?
How Can I Get Involved With Wind Energy? I Have Questions Or Comments About The Project, Who Should I Contact To Make Sure That My Comments Are Heard?
WIND POWER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is A Wind Farm?
What Is Wind Energy?
What Are Wind Turbines?
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Wind Farm?
Will The Turbines Generate Excess Noise?
Will a Wind Farm Affect My Property Value?
How Do Wind Turbines Work?
How Much Energy Can Wind Supply?
Where Does The Electricity From The Wind Projects Go?
What If The Wind Doesn’t Blow?
What Is The Cost Of Wind Energy?
What Will Wind Energy Do For Colorado's Economy?
Does Wind Energy Impact The Environment?
What Environmental Studies Are Conducted In Advance Of Permitting And Construction?
What Will Happen To Local Wildlife Populations?
Can Wind Energy Help America Become Energy Independent?
What Is the Cedar Point Wind Project?
Click Here For Information On Enbridge Cedar Point Wind Project.
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Is The Project Compatible With Current Land Use?
Wind Energy Development Is Preventing The Permanent Loss Of Agricultural Lands By Ensuring Landowners Reliable Income In Times Of Uncertain Crop Prices. A 2005 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that the off-farm income share of total household income of U.S. farmers rose from about 50 percent in 1960 to more than 80 percent over the past 10 years. Wind energy development on agricultural lands allows farmers to continue to farm the land and prevents sell-off of agricultural lands and reduces the need for off-farm income earning. The small footprint of a wind energy project allows cultivation of crops among turbines and results in minimal loss of productive lands.
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What Transmission Line Are You Connecting With?
Cedar Point Wind Project Will Connect With The Public Service Company (PSCo) 230k Transmission Line North Of Deer Trail, CO. The majority of the proposed right of way path parallels one of the previously proposed EPTP corridors.
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Will The Project Hurt Land Values?
A Study Commissioned By The U.S. Government Found No Evidence Showing That Wind Farms Negatively Impact House Prices. A study conducted by the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) indicated no change in property values of 25,000 homes within a five-mile radius of various wind farms – other than a small increase, likely due to a general increase in overall property prices. (George Sterzinger, Fredric Beck, Damian Kostiuk, “The Effect Of Wind Development On Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, www.repp.org, 5/03, Accessed 2/16/10)
Studies Have Shown That The Typical Impact On The Value Of Land And Tourism Near Wind Farms Is Positive. A study conducted by ECONorthwest out of Portland, Oregon on the impacts of wind energy development in Kittitas County found that in five counties there were no negative impacts on property values for lands adjacent to or within view of wind energy projects. (“Economic Impacts Of Wind Power In Kittitas County,” ECONorthwest, 11/02)
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What Effect Will The Project Have On Wildlife, Avian and Bats?
Project Studies Indicate No Expected Negative Impact. Enbridge has reviewed the project with Colorado Department of Wildlife.
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What Are The Economic Benefits To The Area?
Some of the benefits related to the Project are:
• Promotes economic development that reserves agricultural resources and rural character of counties
• County property tax revenues
• Sales and use tax revenues
• Local spending for services, fuel, food, etc.
• 100 to 200 jobs in the community during construction of the Project
• Up to 12 local, full-time jobs created once the Project is operational
• Landowner income from turbine royalties and option payments
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What Are The Future Development Plans For Eastern Colorado?
Enbridge And Its Partners Would Like To Continue To Develop Wind Farms In Appropriate Locations In Eastern Colorado. We are currently measuring wind speeds in strategic locations near existing transmission lines and on compatible use lands. Please contact us if you have available land and interest.
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How Can I Get Involved With Wind Energy? I Have Questions Or Comments About The Project, Who Should I Contact To Make Sure That My Comments Are Heard?
We Welcome Your Comments And Questions And Want To Be Good Corporate Citizens In Eastern Colorado. Please feel free to contact us.
For more information on wind energy please refer to these other resources:
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What Is A Wind Farm?
Wind Farms, Also Known As Wind Energy Plants, Are Power Plants Comprised Of Multiple Wind Turbines. As demand for electricity grows, wind turbines can be added as needed. The power collected at wind farms is fed into an existing electricity grid where it is combined with electricity from other power plants and delivered to utility customers. Wind farms generate extra income for farmers, ranchers, and local landowners. Other land uses, like ranching and farming, can continue undisturbed.
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Wind Energy, Sometimes Called Wind Power, Is Power Derived From Wind. Wind energy is used to generate electricity or mechanical power.
- Wind Energy Is A Form Of Renewable Energy. It is a converted form of solar energy. The sun's radiation heats different parts of the earth at different rates. In addition, different surfaces (for example, water and land) absorb or reflect solar energy different rates. This in turn causes portions of the atmosphere to warm differently. Hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface, and cooler air is drawn in to replace it. The result is wind. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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What Are Wind Turbines?
Wind Turbines Generate Electricity For Homes And Businesses And For Sale To Utilities. The main components of a wind turbine consist of a tower, three propeller-like blades, a rotor, a shaft, and a generator. Read “How Do Wind Turbines Work?” to see how these parts work together to create electricity.
- What Is A Wind Turbine Made Of? The towers are usually made of steel and the blades are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester or wood-epoxy. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
- How Big Is A Wind Turbine? Depending on the turbine, the turbine/tower combination may be as high as 481 feet in height. Newer, larger turbines not only allow for increased efficiency but the blades move more slowly and reduce possible impacts on raptors and other birds.
- Why Are Wind Turbines So Tall? Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At up to 481 feet or more above ground, they can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “How Wind Turbines Work,” www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 2/16/10)
Take A Look Inside A Wind Turbine To See The Various Parts. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “How Wind Turbines Work,” www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 2/16/10)
How Are Wind Turbines Sited? Wind measurement devices called anemometers are placed in areas where frequent and consistent winds are suspected. Together with wind vanes, anemometers measure wind speed, direction and seasonal fluctuation. Data from anemometers is interpreted by specialists and an indicative turbine layout is prepared. Turbine layouts often are modified to accommodate landforms, property line setbacks, construction restrictions and environmental restrictions.
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On Average, Wind Power Development Costs Around $1 Million Per Megawatt (MW) Of Generating Capacity Installed. (American Wind Energy Association, “10 Steps in Building a Wind Farm,” www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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Will The Turbines Generate Excess Noise?
You Can Stand Right Underneath The Blades And Still Hold A Conversation Without Raising Your Voice.
- The turbines make a noise similar to the swooshing noise a kite or large bird makes, and in some areas this noise is hidden by the sound of the wind in nearby trees or other vegetation. In technical terms, turbines generate 34-45 dB (at a distance of 350 meters), for comparison a car traveling 40 mph at a distance of 325 feet generates 55dB.
An operating modern wind farm at a distance of 750 to 1,000 feet is no louder than a kitchen refrigerator. The sound turbines produce is similar to a light whooshing or swishing sound and is much quieter than other types of modern-day equipment. Even in rural or low-density areas (where there is little additional sound to mask that of the turbines) the sound of the blowing wind is often louder.
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Will A Wind Farm Affect My Property Value?
As An Example, Properties Near Washington State Wind Projects Have Increased In Value. An informal study was undertaken on two farms in the state of Washington directly adjacent to a wind farm that was constructed in 2004. Both properties have manufactured homes, outbuildings, and a barn. Sales were documented prior to construction of the wind farm and after the farm was operational. In both cases, the value of the property increased.
- First Property Increased 19% Between 2004 (Prior To Wind Farm Construction) And 2007 (After Wind Farm Construction). (Columbia County Assessor’s Office)
- Second Property Increased 22% Between 2001 (Prior To Wind Farm Construction) And 2007 (After Wind Farm Construction). (Columbia County Assessor’s Office)
Studies Have Shown That The Typical Impact On The Value Of Land And Tourism Near Wind Farms Is Positive. A study conducted by ECONorthwest on the impacts of wind energy development in Kittitas County found that in five counties (including Walla Walla County) there were no negative impacts on property values for lands adjacent to or within view of wind energy projects. (“Economic Impacts Of Wind Power In Kittitas County,” ECONorthwest, 11/02)
A Study Commissioned By The U.S. Government Found No Evidence Showing That Wind Farms Negatively Impact House Prices. A study conducted by the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) indicated no change in property values of 25,000 homes within a five-mile radius of various wind farms – other than a small increase, likely due to a general increase in overall property prices. (George Sterzinger, Fredric Beck, Damian Kostiuk, “The Effect Of Wind Development On Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, www.repp.org, 5/03, Accessed 2/16/10)
- In Fact, The Report Noted Many “Property Values Actually Rose More Quickly In The View Shed [Of Major Wind Developments] Than They Did In The Comparable Community.” “If property values had been harmed by being within the view-shed of major wind developments, then we expected that to be shown in a majority of the projects analyzed. Instead, to the contrary, we found that for the great majority of projects the property values actually rose more quickly in the view shed than they did in the comparable community. Moreover, values increased faster in the view shed after the projects came on-line than they did before. Finally, after projects came on-line, values increased faster in the view shed than they did in the comparable community. In all, we analyzed ten projects in three cases; we looked at thirty individual analyses and found that in twenty-six of those, property values in the affected view shed performed better than the alternative.” (George Sterzinger, Fredric Beck, Damian Kostiuk, “The Effect Of Wind Development On Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, www.repp.org, 5/03, Accessed 2/16/10)
Enbridge Is Committed To Developing Projects That Will Have Minimal Impact On Local Residents. The development of wind farms as a component of a sustainable energy supply strategy must go hand in hand with sensitive environmental design and planning – and that includes sensitivity to properties we purchase or lease, as well as land adjacent to our facilities. No energy technology is without its effect on the environment, but Enbridge strives to develop projects that, as much as possible, have minimal impacts on local residents and the surrounding countryside, as well as the wider environment.
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How Do Wind Turbines Work?
To Generate Electricity A Wind Turbine Performs Three Key Steps: 1. Energy from the wind turns the turbine’s blades around a rotor. 2. The rotor spins a shaft. 3. The shaft spins a generator to create electricity.
- The Concept Behind Wind Energy Is Similar To That Of Hydroelectric Electricity. Turbines are placed in currents of wind, as the wind currents pass the turbine blades, the rotors are turned and electricity is generated.
How Is The Electricity From The Turbines Fed To The Existing Transmission Lines? Electricity is gathered from each turbine and conveyed by a common underground cable to substations, where the voltage is then increased to the level of existing transmission lines. A three-phase overhead line from each substation would then convey the electricity to the interconnect points of the existing transmission lines, along steel or double wood poles, topped by anti-perching triangles and surge arrestor caps.
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How Much Energy Can Wind Supply?
One MW Of Wind Will Power Approximately 225 To 300 Households. An average US household uses about 10,655 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year. One megawatt of wind energy can generate from 2.4 to more than 3 million kWh annually. Therefore, a megawatt of wind will power approximately 225 to 300 households.
Wind energy is poised to be a significant part of America’s diverse energy portfolio. Wind is clean and plentiful. Experts estimate that wind energy could easily produce more than 20 percent of our nation’s electricity supply by 2020.
- The U.S. Department of Energy estimates America’s wind energy potential to be much greater than total U.S. electricity consumption today. Tapping only a fraction of that potential would provide a significant part of America’s electricity supply. In the United States, wind energy currently produces approximately 17 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to powering the average consumption of roughly 1.6 million American homes year-round. (U.S. Department Of Energy, www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 2/16/10)
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Where Does The Electricity From The Wind Projects Go?
The Energy That Is Generated At The Wind Projects Is Sold To Local Utilities And Is In Turn Delivered To Local Utility Customers.
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What If The Wind Doesn’t Blow?
When The Wind Isn’t Blowing Strong Enough To Turn The Turbines That Generate Electricity, Your Electricity Will Still Work In The Usual Way. Electricity grids and the various sources of generating facilities that supply them are designed to cope with peaks and valleys in the demand for power. This planning and system redundancies includes backup sources of power to ensure electricity is there when people need it.
- Wind Energy Outputs Can Be Predicted Quite Accurately Hours In Advance And The Variations Are Smoother Than In Conventional Generation, Making It Easier For The System Operator To Manage Changes In Supply.
Wind Energy Is An Efficient Way To Generate Electricity. Using a free and infinite source of fuel to generate electricity – the wind – is about as efficient as you can get. The technology is efficient too – modern wind turbines are operational 70 percent to 85 percent of the time, and generate, on average, up to 35 percent of the theoretical maximum output over a year’s time. This is known as a load or capacity factor. The exact figure is dependent on the location, technology, size, turbine reliability and wind conditions, of course. By comparison, the load factor of conventional power plant is on average about 50 percent.
The Wind You Feel On The Ground Is Not The Same As The Wind At The Top Of A Turbine. Wind is slowed by friction as it hits the ground and vegetation, but the power of wind can be five times greater at the blade tip on a large modern wind turbine. (American Wind Energy Association, “Wind Power Today,” www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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What Is The Cost Of Wind Energy?
State-Of-The-Art Wind Power Plants Can Generate Electricity For Less Than 5 Cents/KWH With The Production Tax Credit In Many Parts Of The U.S., A Price That Is Competitive With New Coal- Or Gas-Fired Power Plants. (American Wind Energy Association, “Wind Energy Costs,” www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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What Will Wind Energy Do For Colorado's Economy?
- Gov. Ritter: “Every day, the New Energy Economy means new opportunities and new jobs in every corner of Colorado, from the energy-rich Western Slope to the wind-swept Eastern Plains, from fast-growing Northern Colorado to the sun-drenched San Luis Valley.” (Governor John Ritter, State of the State Address, 2008)
- Gov. Ritter: “The New Energy Economy has made our entire economy stronger, especially in rural areas. We're creating new jobs by building wind farms in wheat fields, and we're getting international recognition because of it.” (Governor John Ritter, State of the State Address, 2008)
- Gov. Ritter: “Two years ago, I talked about the New Energy Economy as a way to build wind farms in wheat fields and make our universities research leaders in renewable energy. Today, our New Energy Economy is not just creating a culture of sustainability; it's fulfilling the promise of a new energy future and a new economic future for all of America.” (Governor John Ritter, State of the State Address, 2009)
Wind energy benefits rural area economies. Many of the best sites for wind farms are found in rural areas. Because wind farms only use a fraction of the land, farmers and ranchers can continue to work the land and make an extra income from the rent they are paid for the use of their land.
- Wind farms can be a valuable source of property tax income for local governments. (American Wind Energy Association, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
- Wind energy creates jobs. Wind provides approximately one skilled O&M (operations/maintenance) job for every 10 turbines installed. One study estimated increasing wind energy to three percent of the United States electricity supply would create 150,000 manufacturing jobs. Many would be in states that have been losing jobs. (American Wind Energy Association, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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Does Wind Energy Impact The Environment?
Wind Energy Is A Clean And Environmentally Friendly Energy Source.
- Wind energy produces clean, renewable electricity without emitting pollutants into our air or creating hazardous wastes.
- Wind energy, unlike other sources of energy, requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and no disposal of radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste.
- Wind energy helps preserve open space, conserves water and poses no threats to our national security.
Compare Wind’s Environmental Impact To Other Sources Of Energy:
(American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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Enbridge has continual communication with agency specialists to determine the important environmental concerns and appropriate ways to minimize impacts. Studies are designed specific to each project area and region.
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What Will Happen To Local Wildlife Populations?
Wind Energy Is Compatible With Animals And Humans. Wind does have minor wildlife impacts, but they are small compared to other electric generation choices. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
The Wind Energy Industry’s Efforts To Reduce The Impact Of Wind Turbines On Birds Have Been Very Successful – Wind Turbines And Birds Can And Do Coexist Successfully. The modern wind turbine is far less harmful to birds than are radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes and vehicles and numerous other manmade objects. A reasonable, conservative estimate is that of every 10,000 human-related bird deaths in the U.S. today, wind plants cause less than one. Even if wind were used to generate 100% of U.S. electricity needs, at the current rate of bird kills, wind would account for only one of every 250 human-related bird deaths. Individual bird deaths due to wind development will never be more than a very small fraction of those caused by other commonly accepted human activities and structures--house cats kill an estimated 1 billion birds annually in the U.S. alone, buildings 100 million to 1 billion, automobiles 60-80 million, power lines hundreds of thousands to as many as 175 million, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other sources. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
- The Wind Industry Welcomes Scrutiny Of, And Comparison With, All Of The Impacts Of All Sources Of Power Generation. Many extensive studies of bird collisions at wind farms have been carried out, a practice that contrasts greatly with the lack of a systematic effort to monitor direct impacts on avian species from mining and drilling, power plant emissions or pollution, or habitat loss brought on by these activities. Any public or private research effort, regulatory effort, or legislative proposal designed to quantify the impact of power generation on birds, bats, and other wildlife should encompass all power sources, not just wind. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
Enbridge Is Committed To Wildlife Protection. The wind industry has demonstrated continual innovations leading to greater protection of the environment and wildlife.
- Enbridge Conducts Pre-Construction Wildlife Surveys. Intensive bird use studies are conducted in advance of permitting a wind energy project. Potential impacts are typically mitigated through project design.
- Enbridge Continues Wildlife Monitoring Studies After Construction Of Wind Facilities. This data can be used to determine what sort of mitigation measures may be appropriate if impacts exceed expected values. In addition this data is used in comparative analysis with other wind energy projects across the country to improve technology and minimize impacts to birds and bats.
- Post-Construction, The Wind Industry Monitors Impact On Local Wildlife. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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Can Wind Energy Help America Become Energy Independent?
Yes, Wind Energy Can Help Make America Energy Independent. Wind energy is produced domestically and the supply is unlimited. Wind energy can help reduce our dependence on imports of oil, natural gas, and other fuels. Wind energy could supply about 20% of the nation's electricity, according to Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, a federal research lab. Wind energy resources useful for generating electricity can be found in nearly every state. U.S. wind resources are even greater, however. North Dakota alone is theoretically capable (if there were enough transmission capacity) of producing enough wind-generated power to meet more than fourth of U.S. electricity demand. (American Wind Energy Association, www.awea.org, Accessed 2/16/10)
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