BP ain't stupid...

[Gilligan]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mar...1&cvid=5d8c5983660e45faa70706589bd644c0&ei=56

 

[Merlin99]

You know that gas stations have to have remediation plans when the put tanks in the ground now, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to have remediation plans for all of this green crap they put up. Where are all of the expired wind mills and solar plants going when they get decommed?

 

[Kyle]

Where are all of the expired wind mills and solar plants going when they get decommed?

Landfill.


Where it will take 15 Billion years for the fiberglass, plastic and carbon fiber to deteriorate.

 

[stgislander]

Since the State of MD put all the coal and gas fired power plants out of business, the small coal-fired generator in Allegany Co has shut down and supposedly the company has sold off all the equipment to China.

 

[Gilligan]

Since the State of MD put all the coal and gas fired power plants out of business, the small coal-fired generator in Allegany Co has shut down and supposedly the company has sold off all the equipment to China.

Morgantown's coal infrastructure is vast....wonder when they will auction it all off. I want one of the train engines....

 

[stgislander]

Morgantown's coal infrastructure is vast....wonder when they will auction it all off. I want one of the train engines....

I sure hope Maryland does not allow CSX to abandon the line and tear up the track. Never throw away good infrastructure. Even if you don't have an immediate need for it.

 

[GURPS]

You know that gas stations have to have remediation plans when the put tanks in the ground now, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to have remediation plans for all of this green crap they put up. Where are all of the expired wind mills and solar plants going when they get decommed?

As I understand Cali-FU has acre after acre of abandoned Wind Turbines because the companies went out of business after the subsides ran out / stopped





Abandoned Dreams of Wind and Light

Tehachapi and Altamont are the granddaddies of them all — sites of a 1970s-1980s wind energy rush gone wrong. Federal subsidies sparked developers into action, crowding what are now considered antique, poorly functioning turbines into particularly windy areas of California.

At Tehachapi in hapless Kern County, north of Los Angeles, officials had no provision in law requiring developers to cover the future tear-down costs of the wind turbines. At first, that may not have seemed like a big deal. But the federal tax breaks soon dried up and the developers vanished, leaving behind thousands of rusty, cranking turbines standing in rows like soldiers on the windy plain outside Tehachapi.

Secrets of the Abandoned Windmills California: Hidden History in the Desert Breeze​

Golden Age of Wind Farms​

The 1980s marked the golden age of wind farms in California. You'd have seen a flurry of activity as developers rushed to take advantage of tax incentives.

San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs became another major wind energy site. You'd be amazed by the rows of turbines stretching across the desert landscape.

During this time, companies like Kenetech led the charge in wind development. You'd have noticed their turbines becoming a common sight across California's windy regions.

However, the boom didn't last forever. In 1986, many tax credits were repealed, and you'd have seen some wind farmers struggling to stay afloat in the late '80s and '90s.

Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash

The Abandoned Windmills of California​

California's landscape is dotted with abandoned wind turbines, remnants of early renewable energy efforts. These structures tell a complex story of innovation, challenges, and evolving technology in the state's quest for sustainable power.

Locations and Legacy​

You'll find most of the abandoned windmills in three main areas of California: Altamont Pass, Tehachapi, and San Gorgonio Pass. These sites were pioneers in the wind energy rush of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Altamont Pass wind farm, located in Northern California, was one of the earliest in the United States. It's a testament to the state's early commitment to renewable energy.

In the San Gorgonio Pass, you'll see a mix of old and new turbines. This area, stretching from Cabazon to North Palm Springs, showcases the evolution of wind energy technology.

Reasons for Abandonment​

You might wonder why these windmills were abandoned. The reasons are varied:

1. Outdated technology: Early turbines were less efficient and more prone to breakdowns.
2. Economic factors: Some companies, like Kenetech, went bankrupt, leaving their turbines behind.
3. Environmental concerns: Older turbines posed risks to local wildlife, especially birds.
4. Maintenance costs: As turbines aged, repairs became increasingly expensive.

It's important to note that not all old turbines are abandoned. Many sites have undergone repowering, replacing old units with newer, more efficient models.

Impact on Local Communities​

The abandoned windmills have left a lasting impression on local communities. You'll notice their effects in several ways:

• Visual impact: The turbines have become part of the landscape, for better or worse.
• Economic shifts: Communities that once benefited from wind energy jobs had to adapt.
• Tourism: Some areas have turned abandoned windmills into attractions.
• Environmental debates: The presence of old turbines has sparked discussions about renewable energy's long-term impact.

Despite challenges, many communities remain committed to wind energy. You'll see this in the Coachella Valley, where new projects continue alongside older installations.

 

[stgislander]

I look west from my house in Cumberland, and can see the construction of wind turbines up on Dan's Mountain.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

I look west from my house in Cumberland, and can see the construction of wind turbines up on Dan's Mountain.

I've noticed a lot more in just the last two months.