Blowing it on wind

To the editor:

How disappointing it was to see official county action to prohibit wind energy development.

The present “oil war” should clarify a number of points:

Maybe the world is tiring of energy wars and would really like an unsullied place for the grandchildren — with clean air. If that’s not you, know that you have selected a minority position.

Heavily populated places in our world are moving boldly toward electrified transportation and industrial processes. The US media, and especially in rural areas, doesn’t receive much information about this, but it’s very real.

Note that I’m not voting for electric trucks and tractors, but shorter distance and lighter-duty functions are absolutely burgeoning with electrified power even as many spend their time arguing that “hey, there’s no climate change!”

Finally, I’m not so certain that Marion County commissioners gave proper note to the absolutely increasing difficulties facing smaller and declining rural areas.

So many of these areas all over the USA, Canada, and elsewhere in the world are economic development deserts.

Did they notice that our collective future is far more electric than it’s been — and Marion County is well-situated to develop wind energy?

There’s a reason wind developerAs have shown interest in Marion County. It’s notably higher than Wichita and Abilene. Wind energy micro-weather types know that the wind is stronger and more reliable here. And that’s where they’d like to build.

Proximity to US-56 and US-50 are bonuses for construction, siting, maintenance, and future transmission lines.

I wish there was a way to reconsider any and all bans on wind farming. Now might be just the time to play to our strengths — some of which are not so obvious, or perhaps they are too scary for those not eager to embrace change or to show interest in different approaches.

Roger Harms
Edmond, Oklahoma