This article deals with alternative energy, mostly wind and how we need to utilize it more.  All down the center of the country, winds rip through which could fulfill the power demands for millions of customers.  The problems lies where the demand is needed as to where the wind turbines can be constructed.  Companies are working to build high voltage transmission lines across the country to the coasts where the bulk of the demand is.  This job is in need of government approval.  More than 3,100 miles of line are yet to be built.  Some companies have spent years to get approval by each state to get the go ahead.  One company only won the approval of 3 states over the course of 6 years.  They have since hit a dead end in Missouri due to some land owners, landowners that own a good bit of land and have farms.  These land owners argue that it alters their way of life as well as that this project violates their property rights.  I can see where these people are coming from.  I wouldn’t want a heavy voltage power line in my back yard either.  The land owners also argue that they shouldn’t have to derive wind from the middle of the U.S. when there is plenty of wind in the East.  Essentially, the entire project is on hold at the moment and the we are all entering an emerging battle over how the nation should shift to alternative energy resources as well as how we can meet targets in carbon reduction.  This outcome will determine where and how green energy will develop over the coming decades.

References:

Cardwell, Diane. “Fight to Keep Alternative Energy Local Stymies an Industry.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.