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Wind turbines don’t hurt property values

Wind turbines don’t hurt property values

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The owners of this Flintstones-style house are no poorer because of the neighboring wind turbines.

Some people who learn that wind turbines are going to be built in their neighborhood freak out about a couple of things, but science can help put their minds at ease.

First, they worry that their health will be harmed if they develop so-called “wind turbine syndrome.” But there is no evidence that wind turbines actually cause any of the ailments commonly blamed on them.

Next, they worry that the value of their property will fall. “Here come those eggshell-colored spinning things that produce energy but no pollution,” they might mutter to one another in hushed tones. “There goes the neighborhood.”

Fortunately, this concern is equally unwarranted, according to a comprehensive new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers [PDF]. From the study:

We collected data from more than 50,000 home sales among 27 counties in nine states. These homes were within 10 miles of 67 different wind facilities, and 1,198 sales were within 1 mile of a turbine — many more than previous studies have collected. The data span the periods well before announcement of the wind facilities to well after their construction. …

Regardless of model specification, we find no statistical evidence that home values near turbines were affected in the post-construction or post-announcement/pre-construction periods. …

[T]he core results of our analysis consistently show no sizable statistically significant impact of wind turbines on nearby property values.

This was the largest study of its kind, but it was not the first. Studies published by the same laboratory in 2009 and 2011 reached the same conclusions.

“Although there have been claims of significant property value impacts near operating wind turbines that regularly surface in the press or in local communities, strong evidence to support those claims has failed to materialize in all of the major U.S. studies conducted thus far,” said lead researcher Ben Hoen.

Hoen and his colleagues dug up similar but highly localized academic studies focused on parts of Illinois, New York, Ontario, the U.K., and the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Only the latter study found any evidence of a potential effect of wind turbines on property values.

So unless you’re investing in real estate in western Germany, you can breathe easy about any nearby wind energy developments. They won’t harm your health, and they won’t diminish the value of your property portfolio.

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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Wind turbines don’t hurt property values

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We’re Still at War: Photo of the Day for August 5, 2013

Mother Jones

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Illumination rounds light the way for forward observers to adjust artillery and mortar fire during a night portion of a four-day, live-fire exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 13 in Townshend Island, Queensland, Australia, Aug 2. The live-fire exercise included the coordination of fire-support assets from the 31st MEU; the USS Chung-Hoon, the HMAS Perth III, and the Australian Army. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Oxton/Released)

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We’re Still at War: Photo of the Day for August 5, 2013

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Having An Energy Renewing Flashlight

If you want to explore different fuel and energy resources in your life, try cooking through the use of solar power. This article suggests exactly how this is done, and what the benefits are to harnessing the power of the sun.

The power of the sun is one of the best resources we have in this world. However, learning how to harness and use it can be a little tricky at times.

Instead, the unit will passively recharge its internal cells whenever it is exposed to sunlight. As such, there is a limitless potential for energy usage.

These devices can both cook and heat food very effectively-it even provides some benefits of its own. They can be purchased for a reasonable fee, or even made at home if you have the right materials available.

Systems available to the general public come in small sizes. You can use it to power your laptops, cell phone, portable stereos, and almost any electronic device.

That being said, the true worth of the solar panels is going to come into play when there are multiple days and nights involved. When one is using one of these tools on a regular basis, its charge will wear down and will not shine any more.

They are better for you, and better for the environment at the same time. In industrialized nations, home appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and stoves account for approximately thirty percent of the energy usage in your home.

As the world’s population increases and nonrenewable sources of energy for cooking continue to diminish, the need to find and use clean, renewable energy sources is more important than ever. Solar cookers can help you to do your part when it comes to cleaning up the environment, and saving you money in the process.

Exposing the panels to sunlight while hiking during the day is going to be one of the most effective ways to have illumination later- when it is needed. It is a simple thing that requires no effort on the part of the individual.

They all need a method for concentrating the sunlight, which is usually a small solar panel, a mirror, a special kind of foil, or some other kind of channel that can used to focus your energy. This should be placed exactly where the food is to be cooked, so that the heat can be gathered and harnessed to cook your items.

There are also sportier models that can be incorporated into hiking gear, if you intend to use it in a more active setting. Some models even roll up so they can fit tightly and easily into a variety of cases and containers.

When people are outdoors, there can be no guarantee as to what may happen. There are certainly safety precautions to take and common sense should always win out in these situations, but there is no way to predict every factor.

Next, you need to be able to trap and contain that heat, to use it properly. It is very important to contain the heat which has been created by the absorbed sunlight within your device, using some sort of clear solid barrier such as glass or plastic.

This will allow the sun’s rays through, but will minimizes the loss of the created heat. Methods for preparing and cooking food will vary slightly depending on the design of your given device.

When it all comes down to it, the expanded functionality of the item benefitting from the implementation of the solar panels makes this technological addition well worth it all in nature. As such, it is well worth it for individuals to secure these things in order to improve their conditions.

The small the pieces of food, the more quickly they will cook. The device should always be placed in direct sunlight-if it is a cloudy day, your device will not be very effective.

There are so many different practical applications for these products. Believe it or not, the military is even beginning to use them for soldiers in the field. It is the best way for them to get the energy sources that they need, that will not run out. Use of low-maintenance portable energy takes one more burden off of these men and women protecting our country.

A flashlight that has solar panels embedded on it is a potent source of renewable light. Using one of these units while hiking or camping is a great way to have light without having to worry about extra weight constraints.

SimpleRay was founded in 2007 with a single goal: simplifying solar for homeowners, business owners, installers and non-profits. We believe in the importance of Siliken solar panels, wind and other renewable energy products to the future of our global community. We offer inexpensive solar panels for sale that will help to save costs on your energy bills.

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Finding How To Install Solar Panels

Brief Description: When you want to put solar panels in your home you should not be intimidated by the process. This article describes how you can be sure that you can find the best solar panels for your home.

The true strength of this technology lies with the way that it can recharge the instrument without having to rely on batteries. Battery powered implements certainly are useful, but there cannot be any guarantee of extra batteries in an emergency setting.

Therefore, battery powered items may simply not be prudent to count on if there is some kind of emergency in progress. Instead, solar powered items can easily provide all that is needed and more.

Make sure that you talk to friends that have solar panels on their home. If you do not have friends that have solar panels you may want to talk to a building company that puts solar panels on different homes.

You have to be sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to delve into the good and the bad of the different solar panels. Make sure that you understand how you are going to start eliminating the different solar panels.

Second, when you have some good recommendations and you have eliminated some of the solar panels you will then want to make sure that you look into the length of the different warranties. Make sure that you take the time that you can to understand how long is reasonable for you.

There are a lot of different warranties for the solar panels. Make sure that you find a warranty that includes all of the guarantees and offers that you need to be sure that you can use the solar panels for many years to come.

The technology allows for greater mobility and resourcefulness than would normally be allowed in these situations. As people do not have to worry about running out of energy for their equipment, they will not have to do anything like rationing their energy.

Instead, people can use the illumination of the equipment to maximize their potential advantage against the situation. The technology is not merely limited to lights and lanterns, however.

Third, you should make sure that you are taking the time that you need to understand how you are going to be wise about the price expectations that you have. Look through the different prices to find which price range you can afford.

While you are looking through the different price ranges you want to be sure that you know what you can expect from the price range. Take the time that you need to be smart about having reasonable expectations from the price range that you can afford.

There are a lot of people that have a hard time understanding how they can be smart about mounting the solar panels. Make sure that you are taking the time that you need to be smart about the way that you are having this process done.

To have your solar panels properly mounted you will want to make sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to hire a professional. Do not attempt to hang your solar panels on your own.

All of these uses for the technology illuminates how incredibly useful it can be in an emergency situation. In such a setting, one of the primary dangers is going to come from being trapped away from others or not having a way to contact them.

With the use of the technology and the implementation of it into common items, it becomes much more feasible for people to weather whatever situation that they are facing. The more tools that can be utilized during this time, the better off the people will be.

Finally, you will want to make sure that you are taking the time that you need to understand how you are going to avoid meeting with sales people. You should be sure that you do research on your own terms so that you can feel comfortable with your purchase.

Solar panels can be a great way to minimize your electric bill and to ensure that you are going to have the most energy efficient home possible. Take the time that you need to be smart about the way that you have your solar panels chosen and put on your home.

SimpleRay was founded in 2007 with one goal: simplifying solar for homeowners, business owners, installers and non-profit organizations. We believe in the importance of Siliken solar panels, wind and other renewable energy products to the future of our global community. We offer inexpensive solar panels for sale that will help to save costs on your energy bills.

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Judge Says North Dakota’s Abortion Ban Is "Clearly Unconstitutional"

Mother Jones

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A judge has blocked the country’s most restrictive abortion law from taking effect in North Dakota. The law, passed in March, would ban abortion at the point when a fetal heartbeat can be detected—which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The law is what earned North Dakota the championship in our Anti-Choice March Madness tournament earlier this year.

In his decision, US District Judge Daniel L. Hovland said the law would not pass constitutional muster:

The State has extended an invitation to an expensive court battle over a law restricting abortions that is a blatant violation of the constitutional guarantees afforded to all women. The United States Supreme Court has unequivocally said that no state may deprive a woman of the choice to terminate her pregnancy at a point prior to viability. North Dakota House Bill 1456 is clearly unconstitutional under an unbroken stream of United States Supreme Court authority.

There is only one abortion clinic in North Dakota, the Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, and it has to fly doctors in from out of state to provide the procedure. Hovland’s ruling notes that the law would basically make it impossible to get an abortion in North Dakota:

Typically only women who have regular menstrual periods, keep close track of them, and take a pregnancy test promptly after a missed period at four weeks LMP, will know they are pregnant by six weeks. Because the Clinic only performs abortions one day per week, and cannot safely perform abortions before five weeks of her last menstrual period, the law will effectively limit a woman’s ability to obtain an abortion to a single day during the pregnancy’s fifth week.

North Dakota’s law is the most strict in the country so far, but last week Texas lawmakers introduced a bill that would also outlaw abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Today’s ruling in North Dakota is a preliminary injunction that stops the law from going into effect until the full case can be heard.

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Judge Says North Dakota’s Abortion Ban Is "Clearly Unconstitutional"

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