O'Brien, Beth 2010-01-12
Beth O’Brien discusses the work of Pattern Energy and their production of wind power. There are complications faced when constructing due to community fears and questions which O’Brien is faced with. However, the economic benefits to the communities are overwhelming and allow for construction to take place
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Beth O'Brien
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: January 12, 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Interviewer: Andy Wilkinson
Length: 01:12:23
Abstract
Visual aspect issues, Martha’s Vineyard, Appalachian Mountains, Turbines, Public Perceptions, Transmissions line negotiations, Florida Powering line, Colorado using eminent domain, Arguments against eminent domain, Public choice to what will be made, Payments policies, Opposition to Mono-pole tower vs. lattice towers, O’Brien Background, Public Citizen, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Promoting Renewable, Educational Background, Political Economy of International Crisis, Educating the public, Economic development for communities, Public Policy for Pattern Energy, Community opposition to wind farms, Researching and addressing Concerns, Educating the government & public, Lobbying for the public, Wind farm project locations, Megawatt wind farm, Megawatt variations per state, Visual differences in turbines depending on energy production amount, Nevada Spring Valley Project, BLM meetings open for public discussion, Interaction with public, People attending, Opposition groups, Approaching aesthetic issues, Martha’s Vineyard, Considered factors, Aesthetically pleasing wind farms, Economics, Distributed energy vs. grid, American Wind Energy Association, Public gain from wind farms, Austin Energy, Technical issues affecting costs of grids, National Renewable Energy Lab Myth & Fact Intermittency, Degradation of power over long distance, Urgency of energy storage, Battery Possibilities, Compressed Air storage, Gas molecular structure, Public concern for storage, Pattern Energy Interests, Solar, Transmission lines, Energy sector conflicts, Natural gas, Nuclear, Coal, Energy costs, Conflicts between personal and corporate issues, Keeping publics best interest, Community involvement as watchdogs for wind power industries, Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ), Background, Costs of producing, to costs of transporting energy, Development Process, Transmission providers, Lower Colorado River, Property rights vs. Eminent Domain to construct, CREZ transmission costs, Impact on Communities, Facts provided to communities about production, Job opportunities, Dandy Western Wear Ostrich boots, What issues the community looks for, False community support, Bird Concern, Pattern Energy responsible production, Construction on first project
Access Information
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Transcript: Transcript available in reading room
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