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coboardhead
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4303
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Techno
It is not only the coasts. The models have consistently pointed to a more volatile weather pattern in a lot of locations, including where I live in Colorado. We, currently, base codes on historical data when we design any facility, not just residences.
Increasing code loadings on structures is not only a professional choice, but also a political one. More stringent codes, resulting in increased cost of construction, get a lot of grief. Without the general consensus that we need to prepare for a different climate, the codes will not, necessarily, change and it will be up to the individual property owner to decide.
Design professionals cannot make that decision on their own. My insurer has warned us not to indicate that we are designing to any standard that is not generally accepted (codes). This is a result of Hurricane Sandy, where owners are asking for "hurricane proof" designs.
So, if we want a higher general level of construction of facilities, it needs to be a decision we all make, not just design professionals. Of course costs enter into this. We may need to re-adjust the importance of facilities and extend these factors to a larger number of facilities. (We already do this for essential facilities such as hospitals and fire stations).
I fear that our potential infrastructure reinforcing costs for rising sea levels and more frequent heavy storms will catch us flat footed.
My solution is a carbon tax that we use to buy down the debt to allow us to move on infrastructure repair as we need it. |
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MalibuGuru
Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300
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coboardhead
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4303
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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Before we get all high and mighty regarding bird deaths because of wind farms, it may be worthwhile to take a look at the deaths to the same birds as a result of mercury emissions from coal fired,power plants producing the energy displaced by the turbines. |
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MalibuGuru
Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 1:38 am Post subject: |
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Touche' but at least they don't have the gall to get an actual permit to kill them. |
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pueno
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2807
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 5:44 am Post subject: |
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When you cite Breitbart, people laugh, Mr. B... even if the story is true.
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coboardhead
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4303
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:21 am Post subject: |
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EIS studies require power plants to show what risks to the environment will be a result of any new permits. So, yes, they do get a permit for killing birds when they build a plant! |
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mac
Joined: 07 Mar 1999 Posts: 17747 Location: Berkeley, California
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mac
Joined: 07 Mar 1999 Posts: 17747 Location: Berkeley, California
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Bard--being caught reading Breitbart, without critical thinking, by liberals must be like being caught watching porn by your wife. If you don't feel a little ashamed about it, look at the rest of the story:
Quote: | RIO VISTA, Calif. -- A wind energy farm in Northern California could become the first in the nation to agree to protect golden eagles under a conservation plan being worked out with federal officials
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft of the plan on Thursday for the roughly 100-megawatt Shiloh IV wind farm in Solano County. It would allow for the farm's 50 wind turbines near Rio Vista to kill up to five golden eagles over five years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported (http://bit.ly/1bdzyYF).
In exchange, the wind farm company would modify power lines in Monterey County to prevent the electrocution of golden eagles and take other measures to protect the birds.
Officials say overall, the plan would help preserve the birds. It is now open to a 45-day public comment period and expected to be adopted in early 2014, the Sacramento Bee (http://bit.ly/19EgwZq ) reported.
"It really does set a precedent in that it does show the service can work with the wind industry," said Eric Davis, assistant regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Renewable energy is here to stay, and we need to ensure eagles and other wildlife are here to stay as well."
Wind turbines kill dozens of golden eagles each year around the country. But wind farm companies are not required under federal law to obtain take permits for those deaths or create conservation plans to protect the birds, which are not protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The Shiloh IV farm was completed in 2012. The company that runs it is a subsidiary of San Diego-based EDF Renewable Development Inc.
The company pursued the permit based on its responsible development practices to minimize environmental impacts while creating zero-emission energy, Rick Miller, director of wind business development for the company's West region, told the Bee.
California Audobon Renewable Energy Director Garry George praised the draft plan although he questioned why power lines were being modified so far away from the wind turbine site.
"We have some questions about how that's actually going to affect regional populations of eagles," he told the Bee.
But overall, he said the plan represented a "giant step" forward by the wildlife service. |
So golden eagles are common enough to be protected, unlike bald eagles. The impact of 5 lost eagles will be mitigated by reducing electrocutions by facilities--so it is expected to increase the number of eagles in California. And the Audubon Society thinks it is a great idea. In other words, the impact of this is beneficial--the exact opposite of what Breitbart tried to get you guys to think.
I suspect you weren't just watching porn when your wife walked in ... |
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MalibuGuru
Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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Brietbart might be porn for you, but it's another opinion to me. You are just plain silly Mac. |
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pueno
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2807
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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stevenbard wrote: | Brietbart might be porn for you, but it's another opinion to me. You are just plain silly Mac. |
Mr. B., not porn, really, although they ARE effing with your mind. And you like it.
Just focused and highly partisan horse manure.
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