Wind turbines and combines share fiery traits

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I don't think you stand on the ground and spray water high enough to get to the nacelle but you can surely shoot water high enough from standing on the ground to put out a combine fire .

Yes... definitely an unnecessary fire risk from a power source we don't need anyways. Nor can we afford to pay to export it at a loss in the middle of the night when it isn't needed. Nor can we afford the cost of wind/gas backup plants when the wind doesn't blow. Furthermore, gas backup plants mean an increase in CO2 which is counter to the governments own goal for wind turbines. Several economists have said that turbines don't make economic sense.

This burned-out tower is highly-visible from Highway 21, and looks a whole-lot ugly when one drives by, as I did tonight. This sight also reminds one that since these towers are on land leased from farmers, the ultimate responsibility for environmental liability rests with the land owners. Let's say, for example, there's a fire in another one (or even a good number) of these things in 15 years, near the operating life of the mechanisms, what's to prevent the wind turbine company from simply walking away, and telling the farmer - "It's your problem, you clean it up"?

Stephen Thompson, Clinton ON

Oh but it is in the contract that the company is responsible! Anyone know the value of about 10 pages of white legal paper in the recycling market? That is likely all the value that contract has for the farmer if your scenario happens, unless the farmer wants to spend the next 5 years in court, and pay more than it will cost to take the turbine down to a lawyer.......

John Gillespie
Ripley

I am flabbergasted how people like you condemn the wind industry and then looking away when nuclear waste is buried at tax payers cost right beside the largest fresh water reservoir in the world. Look at AsseII www.bfs.de (Germany’s official web page) and how they try to limit the damage of radioactive leakage of their underground depository, barely 40 years in operation, located in a 240Million year old rock formation. Sounds very alike what OPG and NWMO are planning to do.
U. Pieplow

It deserves to be condemned as it now exists. Until more of the energy can be used or stored it is too costly. Only 20% of the wind energy is currently used by the grid. Obviously when you dump that for less than 1/3 of what you pay for it, it is too costly.
There is an idea on page 18 of April 9 edition of "Today's Farmer" that could help to solve that. Until a better idea comes along...wind is a drain on the economy.

On my favorite show, the humor of a sitcom and a business show all in one, both Kevin and Amanda agreed that this wind fiasco is bad for Ontario residents. Considering how often these 2 agree, it speaks volumes about wind energy. Raube Beuerman, Dublin, ON

A burning combine isn't spinning on top of a 80m tower. Debris from a burning combine doesn't blow 200m downwind.

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