Recently, I drove by these two pioneering wind generating facilities. I was disappointed to see the signifcant numbers of disabled units. Are they merely obselete now, or are they being neglected? Are there plans to repair or replace them? who is the operator and how can the operator be reached?
See the following link:
http://enr.construction.com/Sp_Projects/…
The short story is many of the wind mills are older and in need of upgrade for several reasons. There are several wind generators operating there and it's up to them how to procede. This is not a state or federal generation system.
Because apparently killing birds is a more serious issue than global climate change. just read the article linked in the previous response.
Or it could be that is just too expensive to keep those old turbines operating and thus not profitable, even with the extra money coming in from those "carbon offsets"
Could be for several reasons:
1. Cost Effectiveness – Wind generation is not always the cheapest. the electric company has to always try to produce the lowest cost combination of power. (Coal, Nuclear, Gas, etc.)
2. Wind Speed – It requires a minimum wind speed of about 7 MPH for most of these units to begin turning and generate anything.
3. Contractual Terms – the producers contract with the utility and state may prevent them to have all in use during lower power demand periods. This is common.