this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2024
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Counties are blocking wind and solar across the US::Local governments across the U.S. are blocking new clean energy plants. See the best locations for wind and solar power, and where it's being stopped.

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[–] Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 4 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Not sure why you're being downvoted, I'm pretty sure you're correct.

From reading more about the blocked installs here, most of them have to do with the distance between wind turbines and nearby property lines. Many states are passing laws that the turbine has to be far enough away from property lines that it can't fall onto someone else's property, which seems reasonable. However these restrictions make building turbines difficult and limits what land is viable. Many counties require 1.1x to 1.5x the height of the turbine as a safety distance, which with the typical turbine height of 600' means 660-900 ft radius around the tower that doesn't overlap someone else's property. Some counties have really high distance requirements, that go up to 1320' (a quarter mile) or farther.

The other concern is sound levels, with some counties limiting how loud the turbines can be to nearby properties.

Solar has less restrictions than wind, places with restrictions on it seem to just be limiting the max solar farm size. I'm not sure what the purpose behind that limitation is.

[–] Grimy@lemmy.world 17 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Your link clearly explains how counties are setting excessive limits to effectively ban wind farms, like having a 1 mile radius near any property when only 1000 feet is required or demanding it makes less noise than a dishwasher.

The reasons for these limitations are to keep us dependent on gas and coal for as long as possible. This is outright corruption, shame on the ones defending it.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You try sleeping with a dishwasher in your bedroom...

[–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 8 months ago

Do you plan to sleep on a wind turbine?

If I put a dishwasher 100ft away, can you still hear it? What about 100ft and an insulated wall?

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 2 points 9 months ago

Many states are passing laws that the turbine has to be far enough away from property lines that it can’t fall onto someone else’s property, which seems reasonable. However these restrictions make building turbines difficult and limits what land is viable. Many counties require 1.1x to 1.5x the height of the turbine as a safety distance, which with the typical turbine height of 600’ means 660-900 ft radius around the tower that doesn’t overlap someone else’s property.

They could just build shorter turbines, but the big energy companies will whine it doesn't make them enough money.

[–] snooggums@midwest.social -4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Not sure why you’re being downvoted

Based on replies I don't think people read the whole post or just don't understand nuance.