A clever tactic against wind turbines

Wind turbines are hideously expensive and for every megawatt of energy you install, you have to have another megawatt from a gas turbine running on hot standby ready to spool up when the wind dies down. Wind turbines are not baseload generation. Add to the environmental aspects and there is no reason to install them. Fortunately, some people are pushing back. From Michigan's Traverse City Record-Eagle:

Unusual tactic in wind turbine battle
Some Benzie County residents launched a new weapon in their efforts to block rural wind turbine development: helicopters.

Turbines can't be built near heliports � lift-off and landing pads for helicopters � and experts believe turbine opponents' tactic could reverberate statewide, just as Michigan's alternative energy debate intensifies.

Benzie's Joyfield Township � once considered part of a four-township site for an industrial wind farm � could soon have up to eight licensed, stand-alone public heliports. It would give the rural farming township of 800 souls south of Benzonia more heliports than the rest of Michigan combined.

I love it! A bit more:

State officials acknowledge the heliports could prevent construction of wind turbines or any structure taller than 200 feet within almost a one-mile radius of the landing pads.

One mile radius -- a pretty big sweep!

Obtaining a public heliport permit is neither complicated nor expensive. It involves a one-time $25 application fee, a flat piece of grass and a drawing based on an official, U.S. geographical survey. The owner also has to provide a phone for public use; parking area, sanitary facility, and sign on the road. The sanitary facility could be an outhouse or portable toilet.

The state also won't check to see if anyone utilizes the heliport, said Rick Carlson, manager of the transport and safety section for the commission. Once the remaining seven pass inspection the permits will be granted.

Pure genius! Hat tip to Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man for the link.