Yes, it is semantics and spin, and the fossil fuel industry and groups like the Charles Koch Foundation must be delighted to have people like Mandy Davis and the REACT Alliance parroting the propaganda they have been feeding them (“Semantics and spin,” May 23). A recent piece in New Times (“Environmental justice,” April 11) also described how two local fishermen’s groups sued over offshore wind projects on the baseless claim that a connection exists between sonar surveys and whale morbidity. There is zero evidence that offshore wind activity is harming whales as do ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements. A similar claim used by fishermen’s groups on the East Coast has undermined wind projects in New York.
Mandy makes the claim “that the wind industry is heavily funded by oil companies” as does the REACT Alliance which claims, “Oil keeps wind afloat.” This is ludicrous. Although public opinion shows that renewable energy remains popular with a majority of Americans, local NIMBY anti-wind groups like REACT are sowing misinformation about wind power, which is becoming an effective tactic in stalling or derailing renewable energy projects.
And for fossil fuel idealogues and the climate denial machine assembled from the likes of ExxonMobil, twisting public opinion against renewable energy in would-be host communities is part of their larger mission.
Bill Collins
Grover Beach
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 9, 2024.
Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way, but when I hear from REACT and adjacent parties that offshore wind gets funding from oil producing energy companies, I have to ask myself, “so what?” Should we not be encouraging primarily fossil fuel based energy companies to begin investing in more sustainable energy solutions? I completely understand the awful track record of oil production and the damage it has done to our environment for decades, but more than anything that makes me want to see these companies shift into the renewable sector. If their attempts at investment into a range of renewable energy sources are fought at every turn just because they are oil companies, I can see a situation in which they give up and simply reinvest in expanded oil production, likely in a region that gives us little economic benefit. In short, let the oil companies move towards renewables and lets welcome the renewable projects into our County as it is a once in a lifetime chance to change the story around our coastline and its economic potential.
Gee Mr. Collins you really put a lot of effort into your research, perhaps you should have read more than just one article from Fox News. The migratory paths of so many Aquatic, and Foul, will be effected by the testing, drilling and the long preparation. There are discussions about construction in Morro Bay Harbor. Construction, that will have dangerous effects on the Otter population, the harbor will no longer be safe for nurturing Otter Mothers. It will also have a dangerous effect on the Estuary. This is a much larger problem than your concern about the Whales. React Alliance has provided more information that is meant to educate the public, than the Corporate Spin. There is nothing Green about Wind Turbine Production. The massive mining that will be involved with the production of the turbines, cables, special ships that need to be designed to haul the massive turbine towers and blades, will way out balance the carbon foot print. The ocean floor being dug up in order to bury the Miles of cable, for each of the 300 prospective turbines, will also disrupt the ocean floor and feeding patterns of sea plants and aquatic life. It is late, and I am tired. Mandy Davis, and REACT Alliance are making an effort to preserve the Natural Habitat for the voiceless, that are unable speak up for themselves. If you have a complaint, you might want to register it with Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office, he would love to hear from you. Progress must move forward, but not at the expense of the environment. DLY