Here is some information from Rick Webb, a professor at UVA who is has been studying acid rain for the last 25 years. Note the number of turbines that would be needed to keep up with growth of demand for electricity: 600! Would you want these turbines in your viewshed? I was amazed at one of the proponents of the wind turbines, a self-proclaimed member of the religious community, who said that people who are opposed to them are "sinners." What about people who drive Hummers? Or keep there air conditioner on 68 degrees, and their heat on 80? This is a ridiculous argument. Margaret O'Bryan The following is from Rick Webb: I would refer people to www.vawind.org for an informed and honest treatment of the wildlife issues, as well as what is needed in terms of environmental assessment. Secondly I would point out that no matter how fast we build turbines, we cannot even keep up with the growth in demand for electricity. If we build 600 turbines in Highland County (about the maximum feasible number) the amount of electricity produced would only satisfy one year's additional demand in Virginia. The next year we will need that 600 plus 600+ more. We have an energy problem and the more we focus on wind energy as a solution the less likely we are to begin to solve it. There is no easy answer - though conservation is certainly a big part of it - and wind energy development is a trivial part of it. Wind has plenty of problems that the proponents ignore - either because they are desperate for good news or because of profit motive. There were plenty of people at yesterday's meeting that are motivated by profit. Rick Webb You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, http://www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general.