AWEA Statement on DOD Study (Wind turbines vs military radar)

[eppur_se_muova]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 28, 2006
Contact:
Laurie Jodziewicz [phone]
Christine Real de Azua [phone]


Statement of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) on the September 27
Report by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) on the Effect of Wind Farms on
Military Radar

“The U.S. wind energy industry is disappointed that, in spite of the U.S.
Department of Defense’s recognition of the importance of wind energy
development for the country and in spite of specific instructions by Congress, the
report remains incomplete and only cursorily mentions existing and emerging ways to
mitigate wind turbine radar interactions,” said AWEA executive director
Randall Swisher.

Some wind turbines can affect radar systems, but thousands of wind turbines
generating electricity nationwide demonstrate that impacts can be, and have been,
mitigated through measures such as relocating turbines or upgrading radar systems.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) also advocates exploring additional
technical options that can either be used today or developed in the future to address
this issue.

“Decades of experience tell us that wind and radar can coexist,” said
Swisher. “The American wind energy industry will continue to work
collaboratively with government and others on efforts to constructively address
challenges and refine solutions. We need to further develop clean, renewable energy
sources like wind to reduce dependence on imports and increase our energy
security.”

Projects Moving Ahead After FAA
Review

In the meantime, some projects recently held up by radar concerns are moving ahead.
AWEA welcomes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals for a number of
projects in the Midwest. The FAA recently approved 614 applications for individual
wind turbines that total more than 1,000 megawatts of new wind power (enough to
power approximately 250,000 homes) worth $1.5 billion in economic development
across Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

“Approval of these projects means more jobs and economic development in the
Midwest and additional clean, renewable wind power added to the electric utility
system in a part of the country that really needs it,” said Swisher. “The
wind power industry continues to support efforts to address issues of concern such as
radar interactions with military and civilian radar and land-use policies. We are
strongly encouraged by the FAA’s actions to address these concerns and move
forward with approvals of these important projects.”

Background

The study was requested in the National Defense Authorization Act passed by
Congress late last year. When directing DOD to conduct the study, Congress
specifically requested that DOD include an examination of mitigation studies. 36
Members of the House of Representatives led by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ralph
Hall (R-TX) echoed these instructions in a recent letter to President Bush and White
House Council on Environmental Quality Director James Connaughton. AWEA
applauds this focus on solutions as well as potential problems. Without the whole
story, the report lacks this important perspective.

AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. The association's membership
includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. More
information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org.

[Demeter]

1. Sounds Like A Good Reason To Farm the Wind!

Anything that interferes with a military takeover could be useful in the coming struggle.