Denmark plans to supply 50 percent of its power from wind by 2040, said wind energy expert Paul Gipe. Southern California Edison officials argued they could buy energy more cheaply elsewhere and did not believe new supplies were needed. Edison has defended its strategy by pointing out that it took place before the deregulation that led to utilities selling off their generating plants. Utilities, running out of money as they bought expensive energy on the spot market but had to sell at capped rates, stopped paying wind farm suppliers two months ago. One problem with wind is that fuel can run out unexpectedly.
Bird kills and opposition from neighboring property owners are a problem, however.
Wind proponents say they're solving the bird problem by using wider, slower blades and designing pillars that make uninviting perches. They're still working on getting wind more widely accepted. In the Altamont Pass, the reason turbines weren't turning this week was lack of wind. Spring and summer are the wind seasons. But another problem is that most of the Altamont turbines are old and some are in need of repair.