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Heidi Harmon’s pro-offshore wind energy claims fall flat

February 24, 2024

Heidi Harmon

OPINION by BETTY WINHOLTZ

On Feb. 18, former San Luis Obispo mayor Heidi Harmon wrote an op-ed in the Tribune praising the benefits of offshore wind energy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Without a long, detailed discussion about the nature of her claims, let me just point out a few obvious observations.

Supporting offshore wind energy, Harmon makes questionable claims. For example, “a clean energy economy.” Nothing is “clean” about the oil products required to maintain the machines, diesel to transport workers, and non-recyclable blades dumped in a Texas turbine graveyard. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management says offshore wind energy doesn’t offset climate change.

Offshore wind energy contributes minimally to “energy” supply. Offshore wind farms use energy to get energy to shore. Blades don’t run at capacity or continuously. Great Britain backs up offshore wind with coal and other sources because wind is inconsistent. British citizens’ utility bills soared five times what they paid before offshore wind energy.

The promise to boost our “economy” is unproven. The governor wants a billion dollar bond to pay foreign companies to build offshore wind farms. Several companies, one invested here, withdrew from the East Coast due to overruns, supply issues, and local officials/residents refusing them more taxpayer money.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management confesses environmental impacts cannot be mitigated; the phrase “robust environmental safeguards” is a farce.

No “collaboration with commercial fishermen” has occurred. Ask the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization.

Finally, “technology has been refined for over 30 years,” is the most telling. Technology to build offshore wind farms off our coast in deep waters hasn’t been invented yet!

Betty Winholtz is a more than 30-year resident of Morro Bay. She served as a councilwoman from 2002 through 2010.

 


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simple math, energy in vs energy out = not favorable


10

Alternate math, work not shown F.


-10

Say no to offshore wind energy. Period.


30

Most people don’t seem to realize that modern oil well drilling and extraction requires massive amounts of highly toxic /carcinogenic chemicals, injected into the ground, often times, polluting, groundwater, and other resources. Not so with wind power.


-46

PG&E gets a price increase every time they go to the CPUC even though they made 25% more so I feel you should fix the current aging electrical grid before adding a ocean windmill which I feel is a waste of money Just leave the Ocean alone it’s our last real free space


55

I dont have a strong opinion about wind power; for or against. Definetly not a fan of Harmon.At the time I am amused that opponents of wind power use the exact same position and words to oppose wind power. They complain that wind power uses petroleum products to lubricate the equipment. And oil drilling equipment and refineries doesn’t use lubricants for their derricks and other equipment? They also complain that wind power will require energy to transport equipment. Doesn’t it take energy to move petroleum products? Trucks etc? Seems like a few opponents met for coffee to come up with these 3rd grade level excuses.They will need to get back in their cars to meet again for coffee. I doubt those cars are wind powered.


-28

You are twisting the words to suit your narrative.


We state, truthfully, that wind energy production is far lower than from what is celebrated. That wind and solar are anything BUT free energy, clean, and non-polluting.


We also never compare unreliable wind and solar power, to the myriad of highly beneficial uses of petroleum products, that have given mankind the safe and healthy world we live in.


Or, as we like to say; Do you know what environmentalists used for light and heat before candles? Electricity.


24

“Offshore wind energy contributes minimally to “energy” supply. Offshore wind farms use energy to get energy to shore.” Omg, who came up with this ? Take the windfarms around Palm Springs as an example, these things power thousands of homes since many decades.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Gorgonio_Pass_wind_farm


Yes they produce net energy if you like it or not. Companies continue investing in this technology because it makes sense.

But of course, you don’t want that in your backyard, or even behind your horizon (that’s also where your education level on the topic lies;-)

Now let the frantic down-voting begin, you don’t want to hear what you don’t want to hear, even if its true.


-54

Good work Betty.


High speed rail part deux? This Governor appears fixated on creating a legacy, and not unlike his predecessor, it’s has the chance to be a colossal failure.


Even though their reman substantial operability and environmental questions surrounding these floating platforms, the $100’s of millions spent by the three developers, the power purchase agreements already up set up and the Governor’s already stated love of the project, the Blades of this debacle are already spinning. Of interest, the assembly of the units will likely be out of the Port of Long Beach, meaning little investment in SLO county, so instead of the huge economic benefit that’s promised, locally we mostly receive the legacy of the negative environmental impacts. 


What is shameful is the Board of Supervisors’ lack of leadership here. First they like wind energy, then they don’t, and now they’re just not sure. Arnold is a pancake, on first flip she testifies for it, the next flip she’s against it. Ortiz-Legg runs around in circles mumbling “I don’t care, just give me the money.” Gibson’s says he always been for it, until his constituents raise legitimate concerns, then he hides under his self-proclaimed superior wisdom saying the county has no land use authority on the project. Peschong’s “political wind reader” is spinning uncontrollably as is his will. Paulding in the corner with his tarot cards asking the great hereafter, “what would Compton do?”


They are rudderless and feckless. They stand for nothing except their political hides. Is it any wonder nothing ever changes here except an influx of homeless, who thrive in absence of political leadership.


51

Why does Cal Coast feel the need to politicize issues like this. Why not just do an article on the merits and downsides to the project. Guess you would no longer be a right wing rag if that happened.


-53

Did you miss the fact that this is an opinion piece by Betty Winholtz, and not a CCN report? Why don’t you attempt to explore what you perceive to be the merits and downsides of this colossal project and submit your opinionated report like Ms. Winholz did?


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