‘Starbucks Rule’ Factors into Wind Farm Location

October 12, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

When it comes to choosing a potential site for a wind farm, there’s an informal guide that calls for not placing a wind farm within 30 miles of a Starbucks location.

The so-called “Starbucks Rule” is intended to prevent protests from residential-types who would object to the sight of 250-300 foot tall wind towers in their backyards, reports BusinessWeek.

Andris Cukurs, CEO of U.S. operations for Suzion Energy, said that not only his company – but also competitors – follow this informal rule, according to the article. With operations in 21 nations, Suzion claims about 12 percent of the global wind turbine market.

A new wind farm in Texas certainly took the Starbucks rule to heart. Located more than 200 miles from Dallas, the new wind farm in west Texas is the world’s largest wind farm. See a video here.

Wind turbine sales in the U.S. are projected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7 percent to reach an annual production volume of almost 8,000 turbines with an average capacity of greater than 1 megawatt by 2015, according to new research.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

I think that if consumers were made aware of the costs of transporting electricity long distances; environmental, building costs, loss of farm and forest land, loss of electricity, maintainance, security, etc. and they were made aware of the value of renewable energy they would be more tolerent of these generators being close to the point of use. It is totally absurd to put transmission lines for hundreds of miles when these renewable resources are close to electrical loads.

Russ | October 13th, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader