Columbia Gorge Skies Combat Global Warming

The Columbia Gorge has been chosen to take part in a bold experiment to develop an effective method of mitigating the effects of Global Warming. It is called "Geo-Engineering", and it involves the use of high-altitude jets spraying aerosolized particulates into the atmosphere in such a way as to create artificial cloud cover. The hope is that these artificial clouds will reflect the solar radiation away from the earth so as to reduce the overall temperature.

Leading climates scientists such as Ken Caldeira of Stanford University are very optimistic about the plan to "deploy jumbo jets into the upper atmosphere and deposit clouds of tiny particles there, such as sulfur dioxide." According to Caldeira, "Dispersing around 1m tonnes of sulfur dioxide per year across 10m square kilometres of the atmosphere would be enough to reflect away sufficient amounts of sunlight.”

White House science czar, John P. Holdren, is also very optimistic that geo-engineering techniques such us these will "create cooling effects offsetting greenhouse heating.”

There have been some concerns about possible adverse health effects caused by exposure to such vast quantities of barium, aluminum, and sulfur dioxide. However, most climate change experts agree that the benefits of combating global warming far outweigh the costs of any negative health effects.

One reason the Gorge was chosen is the fact that there is very little commercial air traffic over its skies. Therefore the geo-engineering jets have free reign to crisscross back and forth laying down artificial cloud cover. The experiment over the Gorge is expected to be ongoing for at least the next several years.

Housing Under Attack in Hood River

The Hood River City Planning Commission is proposing to outlaw the development of housing on land within the city currently zoned for both residential and commercial usage. Obviously this will greatly exacerbate the current housing shortage within the city and cause great hardship for many of the citizens.

Which View Do You Prefer?

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Hood River County reports on their website, "The County has been exploring the possibility of installing wind generation facilities on Middle Mountain for several years. The Commission decided to cease efforts to pursue this community scale project of around 10 MW at its meeting on May 17, 2010."

This is wonderful news, however keep in mind that the county has left the door wide open for any project other than "10MW" on Middle Mountain. That potentially includes projects far larger than originally proposed.

The Hood River News reports Commission Chair Ron Rivers stating, "We're still interested in wind."

We must stop the county from wasting any more money exploring these ridiculously expensive "feel good" boondoggles.

Sign the "Stop the Turbines" Initiative

Hood River County has proposed the construction of an industrial scale wind farms. In response, citizens have drafted a ballot initiative to stop the turbines.

We are targeting to have the initiative placed on the ballot of the November 2nd, 2010 General Election.

Shall the County be prohibited from utilizing public resources to install or operate wind turbines exceeding 150 feet in height? See Full Text

Click here for locations to sign the "Stop the Turbines" initiative.

For more information or to subscribe to our newsletter, contact us at: info@gorgeforum.org

How big are the proposed turbines?

How much will the project cost?

Will the project be profitable?

Not even close. Any cursory glance at the economics of wind turbines uncovers the fact that they are incredibly inefficient forms of energy production. Any attempt to profit from the production of wind energy is doomed to fail.

Will it protect the environment?

Absolutely not. Due to the intermittent nature of wind, it is impossible to rely on wind turbines as a reliable source of usable power. As a result, not a single traditional power plant has ever been replaced by a wind farm.

The sad fact is that this is simply a ridiculously expensive "feel good project" which will do nothing to protect the environment.

For more information about the environmental impact of the project, visit www.stopwindfarmshere.org .

Gorge Forum featured in the Hood River News

Click here to read the full Hood River News interview of Gorge Forum regarding the Middle Mountain Wind Turbine initiative. Also, you may read the Hood River News article, "Citizen groups move to stop wind farm."

Stop the Hood River Middle Mountain Clearcut

See the fireworks from the January 12th, 2010 meeting at the Dee Firehouse in Hood River Oregon regarding the Wind Turbine Project proposed for Middle Mountain.

Save Democracy in Hood River

"We are not going to answer your questions." That is exactly what County Commissioner Les Perkins told us at the Middle Mountain Wind Turbine Project public forum on Dec. 16th, 2009 in Parkdale. The Hood River County Commissioners are attempting to saddle the residents of Hood River County with a $24 million boondoggle and bypass the democratic process.

Gorge Forum on Hood River County's Middle Mountain Wind Turbine Proposal.

On November 12th, 2009, Gorge Forum told the County Commissioners what we think about their Middle Mountain Wind Turbine Project.

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