On the surface, it may seem narrow minded of the Ocean City Mayor and Council to frown on the plan proposed last week by US Wind Inc. simply because of the visual. However, that would ironically be a shortsighted stance.
The beach is the No. 1 asset Ocean City has to offer. Without a clean and safe beach and world-class ocean views — as is the case currently — there is no tourism. Sure, there are other reasons to come to Ocean City, such as fishing, special events, golfing, dining, the amusements, the Boardwalk and partying, but the beach is the brightest and most critical jewel in the town’s proverbial crown.
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16 comments:
Wind power is a green scam that we the tax payers foot the bill for.
10:23. Absolutely right! I will add that they are an eyesore.
Would be some good fishing around all that structure.
You come there for the view of the ocean. As a tourist if would be a turnoff to see industrial wind turbines on the horizon. Most tourist leave their busy industrial areas to get away. I for one, would not want to pay price of a day at the beach to see this in front of me. If it's out of view, like five or more miles out, I have no problem with that. It is true when they say out of sight, out of mind! They tried to do this in Cape Cod MA, Turbines were moved further out for the same reason.
So are "ugly" boats going to be banned from the view from the beach. Visual Pollution...that's just ridiculous. The ocean is the ocean. You see all kinds of things in the ocean, not just water! Those wind turbines will look a lot better than the oil rigs that could be offshore, and might be coming someday (no matter how much Maryland protests). If the turbines are already there, then there won't be oil rigs there. Being against everything, is being against nothing. Set your priorities folks, Ocean City doesn't own the ocean, or the view.
Let's ban guys with beer guts and excessive body hair! Ugh!!!!!!
It's hazy along the horizon most of the time anyway and you would hardly be able to see them.
Bingo 1139am. Anyone been down to the Gulf coast? Try the Corpus Christi/Padre Island area. Water is awesome in the summertime. 80-85 degrees, super salty, you can lay back an float easy since there is so much salt in the water. Off in the distance - OIL RIGS! You can see smoke coming off them...but no one cares. Why? Oil is a big $$$$$ generator in Texas!
No comparison oil/wind and cost effectiveness here - just a visual perspective.
Likewise, one standing on the beach and look out over the horizon can see how far? I only ask because none of these articles state it. They provide "artist" renderings of the wind platforms, but no actual distance eye to horizon ratio. As you move further back on the ocean, one can see further since you get higher elevation. Same applies to the high rises.
I guess its 2 simple questions that matter:
(1) If I'm on the beach how far out on the ocean can I see?
(2) If I'm on the boardwalk, how far out can I see?
Both are daytime questions because the majority doesn't care about nighttime!
I totally disagree with the comments comparing boats to wind turbans. Wind turbans are constant, but boats come and go. That is something I expect when I go to the beach. In the resort areas of West Virginia they had a similar protest. People who vacationed there came for the view of the mountains. Wind Turbans would have disturbed that view. I go on vacation to get away from the crowds. I avoid OC for the Outer Banks of NC or the Gulf Coast of Destin Florida. I don't mind ships, in fact I enjoy seeing them. I usually get out my Binoculars just to check them out. I go for the enjoyment of nature. Wind turbines kind of ruin that view.
11:39 Your theory is ridiculous. Turbines are ugly. Oceans are one of the most beautiful things in earth and you are in agreement with destroying their beauty. Stop with the environment nonsense.
When will these morons learn that wind turbines don't work and are unreliable
Those "turbans" ....
10:32 right on!
Not something I want to see when going to the beach. Why did they pick the coast off of OC? Why not further North or further South?
If wind turbines will deter tourists to Ocean City, where do I sign up to help construct them?
10:39 is 100% correct. Ocean City does not own the ocean. And what is "pretty" or not, is very subjective. I think windmills in the Netherlands are beautiful and a great use of nature for production of energy. The same applies in this country. The naysayers think that only their opinions count.
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