In order to reduce New York City's dependence on natural gas, Mayor Bloomberg is proposing an offshore wind farm and skyscraper-mounted turbines.
"[New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg outlined plans that could result in placing large wind turbines atop skyscrapers and bridges, augmented by a wind farm in the middle of the ocean, several miles off the Manhattan coast. Such a move would dramatically alter the city's iconic skyline, prompting several media outlets to lampoon the idea, grafting images of windmills onto the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.
Josh Magee, research director at Emerging Energy Research in Cambridge, Mass., said some of these proposals, like the offshore farms, are more viable than others, because of the city's coastal positioning and the prevailing wind currents. Although this power can be expensive, it would provide the city with a natural hedge against volatile price swings in the natural-gas market, on which New York relies heavily for its power needs.
The notion of affixing windmills on the top of skyscrapers, however, appears to be far-fetched, given the turbulence and wind shear they would face at this altitude."
FULL STORY: New York mayor tilts at windmills
Northern California Port Seeks Offshore Wind Lease
The Port of Humboldt has proposed a plan to modernize its facilities to accommodate offshore wind energy production, hoping to stimulate the local economy and create sustainable jobs.
Can Maine Follow Denmark to Energy Independence?
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Windfarm Concept Inspired by Schools of Fish
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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