Marylanders negotiate government rules to install windmills

By ELIZABETH M. PIAZZA, Capital News Service

Published 11/23/08

ANNAPOLIS - In response to rising utility costs and encouraged by the state's desire to lower its carbon footprint, Jeane and Joseph Flesch thought it would be ideal to install a small wind turbine next to their remodeled farmhouse on two-and-a half acres in Clarksburg.

"There is a lot of active farmland around us and we are zoned as a cow pasture," Jeane Flesch said. "We have land, live on a hill and have tons of winds coming from the north and northwest."

The Flesches are among a growing number of Marylanders who are working to install small wind turbines on their properties in order to lower utility bills...

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Windmill Myths - December 1, 2008

In truth, the carbon footprint will remain the same after a windmill installation. The wind only blows part time while the need for dependable electricity is full time. The same amount of fossil fuel (primarily coal) will be consumed every day because the base electrical demand must always be met at a moments notice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coal fired generators will continue to spin and consume coal and require maintenance. Therefore, windmills may sound good, but they will actually add to the cost of electricity for average Maryland residents. Solar and wind are simply not the answer to today's urban energy needs.

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