What comes to mind when you hear Texas and energy? It's likely oil, and little wonder. For a good part of the twentieth century oil was a key to the Texas economy and source for schlocky television dramas such as Dallas. "Texas Tea" (remember the Beverly Hillbillies?) created considerable wealth for various oil barons.
Well, times change. As oil supplies dwindle and the concern over carbon emissions grows, entrepeneurs look elsewhere. The energy supply of Texas' future is wind.
There is an article in today's New York Times on the growing production of wind energy in Texas, through the establishment of wind farms. It seems that the state of Texas is a windy place with lots of room for mammoth windvanes. The article says that some of them are twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and have a vane-span wider than a jumbo jet. Hey, they do things big in Texas. One rancher is paid $500 per month for each one of these puppies and the plan is to put 150 on his property. They hum, but he figures it is the sound of money.
We hear the argument regularly that there is no money in alternative forms of energy such as wind and solar. The scale is also too small. Ontario will construct more nuclear plants because it is the only solution. I wonder if it is more a case of lack of imagination and initiative on the part of our leaders. I'm not opposed to nuclear, although we haven't dealt with the highly radioactive leftovers very effectively. Why not consider new sources which don't pollute and don't require monitoring for the next 10,000 years?
As a Christian I figure that the ability to think and to be a co-creator is God-given, both as gift and responsibility. We have to be ready to look in new directions, not just because of the financial possibilities but for the good of the planet. I should look into becoming a wind baron, although some would say that as a preacher I already am.
Well, times change. As oil supplies dwindle and the concern over carbon emissions grows, entrepeneurs look elsewhere. The energy supply of Texas' future is wind.
There is an article in today's New York Times on the growing production of wind energy in Texas, through the establishment of wind farms. It seems that the state of Texas is a windy place with lots of room for mammoth windvanes. The article says that some of them are twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and have a vane-span wider than a jumbo jet. Hey, they do things big in Texas. One rancher is paid $500 per month for each one of these puppies and the plan is to put 150 on his property. They hum, but he figures it is the sound of money.
We hear the argument regularly that there is no money in alternative forms of energy such as wind and solar. The scale is also too small. Ontario will construct more nuclear plants because it is the only solution. I wonder if it is more a case of lack of imagination and initiative on the part of our leaders. I'm not opposed to nuclear, although we haven't dealt with the highly radioactive leftovers very effectively. Why not consider new sources which don't pollute and don't require monitoring for the next 10,000 years?
As a Christian I figure that the ability to think and to be a co-creator is God-given, both as gift and responsibility. We have to be ready to look in new directions, not just because of the financial possibilities but for the good of the planet. I should look into becoming a wind baron, although some would say that as a preacher I already am.
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