[samhass]

In chatters talk happy and sad, we have been discussing the feasibility of a wind farm in TV. Say everyone in TV put up X amount of money to buy ground, build the farm,
get the power to the grid, etc. We would need input from various types of engineers, financial guys, real estate people, lawmakers , etc. to determine how it could be done. If your electric was less per month that would be beautiful. Better yet would be the knowledge that we are not squandering the earth resources. T, Boone Pickens plans to do it. With all the brain power available from our residents, we could as well. It would take huge sums of money, I'm sure, but it could be spread out over a long period of time. I think we have enough wind (but am not sure). We could try to apply for grants, etc.
Brainiacs unite. I think it could be done and Villagers could be the shareholders in the company.

[JohnN]

I bet Florida would be OK, there's a breeze all the time and I'd put up a few bucks out of my meager nest egg. But Oklahoma is the wind capital of the country and plenty of space out there, that's the likely place to go big-time first.

I'll place my big bet with T.Boone Pickens

[efrahin]

I think that everyone will buy stock in a company set up to serve TV. However it is an inmense task to start from ground zero. Lets see what the brains in TV opine.

[travelstiles]

Not so immense a task if we get the right publicity and subsequent assistance from proponents of alternative energy.
However, and this is a big However, I have written to most of our elected representatives in Florida about tax credits for alternative energy for end-use consumers with disappointing results. The funding is minimal, and the allocated credits for 2008 were used up months ago.
I have been pounding the pavement trying to get you TOTV people to write to these representatives about increasing these energy credits, but have only heard from a handful of people who are interested.
No one else is going to do this for us - when will we step up to the bat?
I will not post the names and emails of these representatives again (already did this three times). If you want this info, you'll have to ask for it or look it up yourself.
I'm on board if there's enough interest, but from my experience in trying to get TOTV members involved in political action, I can't say I'm too hopeful.
Please prove me wrong!

[Sidney Lanier]

We were involved in alternative energy and energy conservation going back to the 1970s, long before the current oil situation, and we were naturally very disappointed when all government involvement in encouraging it was effectively ended in the mid-1980s (that is, effectively discouraging it...). Evidently the goal of the government at that time was to support the petroleum industry. We were interested in all forms of alternative energy then and we are still interested in it now; we'd very much like to know more.

Unfortunately, samhass, the idea of "everyone" being involved is, IMHO, completely unrealistic. You have those who insist that there is no problem at all; others who are intimidated by new ideas; yet others who have no problem with "squandering the earth's resources" and who in fact joyfully do so (those who live by the premise that "it's a free country and I can do what I want"); and still more, as discovered by travel, who are apathetic. You're suggesting a monumental undertaking. And I'm not suggesting that it cannot be done, just that it would be a real challenge. At the same time, regarding this suggestion and in truth anything else potentially worthwhile:

EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT = DO-ABLE!

EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT ≠ IMPOSSIBLE!

[njgranny]

I would love to see wind farms everywhere that they could "catch some wind." Besides being green, I think they are beautiful and soothing to watch.

[JohnN]

thinking a bit...
writing representatives is a good idea, however, I'm deeply disappointed with our representatives efforts thus far over the last 60 years (while I've been around) so I'm not inclined to think they'll change direction - too busy lining their pockets.

so.... . how does capitalism take over and make this work??

we need land, we need wind turbines, and we need someone with deep pockets besides (in addition to) us TV'ers. Anyone got any good contacts out there to sprearhead a bit?

I'll do a little side research too....

[JohnN]

here's the Pickens Plan, good reading,

www.pickensplan.com

as travel said, we would need publicity,
and some good connections wouldn't hurt

Here's what I wrote to T.Boone when I joined his site earlier today.
================================================== ===
This is important to note. I live in The VIllages, FL 32162.
A 55+ retirement community of 70,000 people. On our "Talk of the Villages" website http://64.92.167.158/smf/ , the topic of alternative energy is a hot one, and I've been advocating T Boone Pickens support - us for him, and him for us, all of us together. These retirees are a potent force, but we need expertise and direction. What we'd like to do is establish a wind farm power grid to support our town.

Please advise if possible

[travelstiles]

Originally Posted by JohnN

here's the Pickens Plan, good reading,

www.pickensplan.com

as travel said, we would need publicity,
and some good connections wouldn't hurt

Here's what I wrote to T.Boone when I joined his site earlier today.
================================================== ===
This is important to note. I live in The VIllages, FL 32162.
A 55+ retirement community of 70,000 people. On our "Talk of the Villages" website http://64.92.167.158/smf/ , the topic of alternative energy is a hot one, and I've been advocating T Boone Pickens support - us for him, and him for us, all of us together. These retirees are a potent force, but we need expertise and direction. What we'd like to do is establish a wind farm power grid to support our town.

Please advise if possible

John, Sidney, others who are interested enough to do something ~
I, for one, have the time and energy to work on this project. A good start is correspondence such as that provided by John above.
We at The Villages are a huge and influential voting block, and as we all know from past experience, Florida can make or break any election! Even if you have never been politically or economically motivated before, here is an opportunity to do something.
Maybe we can work on a wind farm experiment where the Buffalo used to roam? No kidding!

[samhass]

I think we'll need much more room than that. There is so much we'll have to research, but we have the manpower and the talent here in TV to make this happen.....if we have enough wind. (I know some of us are a windy bunch, but that doesn't count.) I'm still tied up for the next few days but intend to start researching ASAP.

[samhass]

I just watched the Pickens video. Boy, I love that man. I absolutely want to find a way to be a part of this. I am tired of our dollars going to foreign oil interests. This can help to staunch the bleeding of our dollars to foreign nations.

[JohnN]

samhass,
His site is trying to establish a million members. I signed up and shared my personal email list of folks I thought might be willing to sign up too (I didn't have yours!!!).

But I'd suggest signing up, maybe we can get a lot of Villagers on there, and some attention.

[Rokinronda]

I'll sign up....Always was an advocate for progress and change!

[samhass]

I signed up. After the granddaughter leaves, I will get much more involved.

[chelsea24]

I'll sign. I'm from the "Windy City" anyway. Sounds like a wonderful project.