Those of you who know me know I recently made a trip north to meet and greet my new Grandson, but this is not about him.
As I made my mad dash north in the wee hours of the morning, I had that Duramax screaming and probably should have been introduced to some of this state's law enforcement officers and been provided with some literature surrounding the driving laws in the state of Indiana. I wasn't by some stroke of luck, but that was not the only thing I missed along the way.
Yesterday afternoon I began making my way back to the stall. A rainy and very overcast day at the start, made it's way to a partly cloudy, bright and sunny day. The winds were really whipping as the latest front pushed itself eastward toward Indiana, bringing the rain along for the ride in spots.
My mind was busy with thoughts of my family, hopes, dreams, and still at some level I was really enjoying the ride despite the wind, for the world just looked to be a bit more brighter in some way to me.
As I glanced down at the instrument cluster I noted the fuel gauge was at the point where I begin looking for fuel, and one look at the mile marker and I confirmed my customary re-fueling stop was just a few miles further down the road. That's when I first saw it. . .
Way off in the distance, as I traveled south bound on I 65, I noted these large white objects. (They ahd to be large because they were a long way from me logistically, and I could see them.) My mind began focusing on those things, what are they? As I began getting closer, there were more and more of them, windmills. Hundreds of them!
I'd made this drive during the holidays and I know they weren't there then. I made this drive just the previous night and I never saw them. It was dark though and they are so far from the expressway that I wouldn't have seen them. . .
But I kept seeing them, and they kept getting CLOSER.
Anyway, I'll just get on with it I suppose. Between the mile markers 190 and 184 on I 65, a windfarm has sprung up from the earth, and the sight of it is so surreal I cannot explain it. HUGE gleaming white windmills churning in the gusty winds for as far as the eye can see. And there are more under construction on the west side of the highway too.
I whipped out my camera, (yeah, I had it at hand for a change) and began snapping pictures while doing 73 mph. (Don't try this at home kids, I am a highly experienced idiot). The pics aren't that good but I am going to download and post one in the hope you can make out what I am talking about here. (To follow).
Just north of the Purdue University exit as you go north on I 65 you will begin seeing them. It is a sight to behold, and a clear sign that Indiana has indeed embraced the Green Energy initiative of the current POTUS. That realization gave me a moment of pride. . . to know that Indiana is leading the way for the midwest states in taking this first step toward alternative energy production and sourcing.
Anyway, with the weather turning nice, folks may be looking for a destination for a day trip diversion in the coming weeks. If you are one of them, take a ride up I 65 north and check this out! Pretty impressive to see!
I showed my wife those pics and she couldn't believe it. We're heading back that way this afternoon so she can see it for herself. It was so distracting I missed my fuel stop! Passed that baby right by and never even realized it until I reached the Purdue exit! :biggrin:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/IMG_0374.jpg)
Nice picture Palehorse, I was reading in a Popular Science magazine the other day that these real large windmills are made in China. It sure is going to be a boon to Indiana and our economy.
With the great leadership of Mitchell Elias Daniel, our 49th Indiana Governor. Who was elected in January 10, 2005. He and the great Republican Party will lead Indiana out of the Obama recession.
The Troll :smitten: :smitten:
The first time I ever saw a field of those was in Cal when we went out there for the birth of one of the grand kids. Glad to know we have them here now. :yes:
True Troll, but the maintenance, assembly, installation, and repairs are handled by Americans; and eventually companies like Brevini Wind, (Muncie Indiana) will be manufacturing the parts and sub assemblies right here in Indiana and other states, adding MORE American jobs.
So, should we await the launch of all American companies being started up before we begin installing them? I don't think so. Stalling gets us more of the same. . .
PH - I had sbout the same reaction that you did the first time that I saw a field full of windmills. It's an awesome sight. In my case, I was in Texas and felt especially excited considering that Texas is the oil capitol.
Kind of a related side story: When my daughter and I went to the Earth fair one year, there was a bus which was operating on bio-diesel. The bus was used and the interior revamped w/recycled materials. Anyway, they were traveming throughout the country to promote bio-diesel. I found it interesting that of all the places they've visited, Texas was the most excited.
I wouldn't have expected that.
Those are awesome pics PH...
I have to say that you lost me when you gave credit to the current POTUS..because this Green Energy initiative began under George W. Bush....AND, low and behold, the company that is doing this is...are you ready for this?........BIG OIL company called BP! They partnered with a company called Dominion.....
http://dom.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=105
http://climateprogress.org/2008/05/12/must-read-bush-doe-says-wind-can-be-20-of-us-power-by-2030-with-no-breakthroughs/ (http://climateprogress.org/2008/05/12/must-read-bush-doe-says-wind-can-be-20-of-us-power-by-2030-with-no-breakthroughs/)
Indiana embraced this idea, a few years ago.....under Mitch Daniels.
this is Phase I of what is known as the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm which began construction back in the spring of 2008....and it is expected to employ approximately 350 workers during peak construction and a full-time staff of more than 12 workers who will monitor and maintain the site after Phase I has become fully operational.
Mitch Daniels is a big proponent of wind energy...http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=29595
and Sandy, Texas IS a big fan (no pun intended ;D )...because it IS big oil leading the way on this.
Interesting that it took an announcement of a new initiative to get things rolling, no?
Forward thinking/planning is actually a smart move for big oil. Eventually, at our rate of consumption, big oil won't be so big.
Quote from: Sandy Eggo on April 05, 2010, 10:11:45 AM
Forward thinking/planning is actually a smart move for big oil. Eventually, at our rate of consumption, big oil won't be so big.
I agree
Guess we know whose candidate is going to win the next election then eh? :rolleyes:
from what I understand is, that those turbines are "clipper" and they are assembly at the Clipper Turbine Works facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa....but, I get the feeling they are manufactored someplace other than in the US....but that seems to be par for the course these days... :rolleyes:
phase II is supposed to start this spring...with installing of 133 more, to the 233 already installed.
Quote from: Sandy Eggo on April 05, 2010, 10:11:45 AM
Forward thinking/planning is actually a smart move for big oil. Eventually, at our rate of consumption, big oil won't be so big.
Yeah, buy why is the price of oil going up?
Quote from: followsthewolf on April 05, 2010, 01:15:26 PM
Yeah, buy why is the price of oil going up?
because it can....and we have NO control of it.......and we NEED to get control of it, pretty quick.
To pay for the windmills :biggrin:
I do wonder if the consumers in the areas w/windmills have seen a difference either way on their energy bills.
Quote from: Sandy Eggo on April 05, 2010, 01:35:40 PM
To pay for the windmills :biggrin:
I do wonder if the consumers in the areas w/windmills have seen a difference either way on their energy bills.
Ms, are you kidding, give us a break on reducing our bill, using free wind energy. We will pay the same price for our electrical bill, as if they were using coal or natural gas. :wink: :smile:
Someone said in a past post, they are assembled here. Well, Duh can you see them being sent assembled, on a ship, from China. :wink: :yes:
It was also said that 12 full time employees would be hire. Wow. Where these wind mills are located at a high wage is $12 per hour and no benefits. Just think, working 40 hour per week for, $25,000 a year and after taxes, that's $19,000 a year. For the 12 full time employees that, to the county, that's $300,000 per year. :o :o :yes:
With the state tax breaks and the federal tax breaks. My God, Indiana citizens are going to be rich. I can see all of the people who has already left this state coming back.
As far as wind power in Muncie, don't hold you breath. Unless they pay minimum wage and no benefits, they won't be stealing much from China. :yes: :yes: :'(
Someone said that George W. Bush started the the wind power going in The United States, Well I seen our two time governor Mitchell Elias Daniels Jr. take the credit for it on television the other day. All for the corporations nothing for the working man an woman. :yes: :yes:
The troll :rant: