Noise restrictions imposed on a controversial and yet-to-be-built wind farm – then approved by a planning inspector and unchanged by the High Court – are to be re-considered by planners.
Permission has already been granted for nine turbines in the Den Brook Valley, near Crediton, but the facility remains on the drawing board due to concerns over noise pollution.
Developers Renewable Energy Systems (RES) have now applied to West Devon Borough Council to vary the conditions.
Mike Hulme, a long-time opponent of the proposal, says RES are "clutching at straws" and is concerned that the council is not qualified to rule on such a complicated issue.
RES says its recent tests show that the condition was "not working properly", claiming the noise from "blade swoosh" can be detected even in areas with no turbines.
In 2010, Mr Hulme, a leading member of the Den Brook Judicial Review Group, failed to overturn the decision of the Communities and Local Government Secretary to grant permission for the wind farm, consisting of nine 120m (393ft) high turbines, on land near the villages of North Tawton and Bow.
But, Mr Hulme, whose home is less than a mile away from the closest proposed turbine, did succeed in having the consent made subject to certain conditions to control potential noise pollution.
The condition relates to the level of noise during different atmospheric conditions at night, caused when the blades rotate through varying wind speeds, so-called "wind shear".
Mr Hume says any decision by councillors to amend the "unique" condition would "fly directly in the face" of the decision by three Law Lords.
He added: "It must be remembered that a top Government planning inspector deemed the current noise controls essential for reaching his decision to finally approve the huge industrial scale wind development more than three years ago.
"RES are applying to change something which has been ruled on by the High Court, the second highest court in the land." The dispute centres on the phenomena known as amplitude modulation (AM), a rhythmic "swooshing" and "thumping" noise which campaigners claim can ruin the lives of those living nearby wind farms.
Since the Court of Appeal ruling, RES says it has spent several months monitoring background noise levels at other rural wind farm sites and running the data through the parameters set by the High Court.
The company says the results of these tests consistently show that excess AM, as defined by the current condition, is present even at locations where there are no wind turbines.
Dan Leahy, RES project manager, said: "We were very concerned when we discovered that the noise condition wasn't working properly.
"Working with a number of noise experts, we believe we have pinpointed the problem and we know how to fix it. However, we have to follow due process and ask the council's permission to vary the condition, which is why we have lodged this application."
2013年4月27日 星期六
2013年4月26日 星期五
A casino of controversy?
Several representatives from the Cow Creek Band lambasted the Coquille for what they say is an unethical encroaching on their rightful area.
In addition, Betty Hall of the Shasta Nation described the Coquille as "interlopers" who are extending well beyond their territory.
This begins a process that could lead to reservation status for the site. The Coquille also have asked the federal Office of Indian Gaming Management for an exception to a prohibition on gaming on lands acquired after October 1988.
In September 2012, the Coquille tribe announced it had purchased the Roxy Ann Lanes bowling alley and the former Kim's Restaurant in hopes of opening a Medford casino along South Pacific Highway.
Sara Koca of Medford said the Coquille would be a benefit to Medford. She worked for the tribe's Mill Casino in Coos Bay for three years.
"I welcome the Coquille tribe to my community and neighborhood," she said. "I know they will be contributors to the economy and overall well-being of this valley."
Koca said the tribe treated its employees well and crime was never an issue in and around the casino.
"I never had any problems there and I worked overnight," she said. The possibility of crime increasing because of a casino was on the minds of some speakers Thursday night.
William A. Mansfield of Medford pointed out a story in Thursday's Mail Tribune about a man suspected of attacking a local bartender earlier this week. Police allege the man was angry over losing $600 in video lottery machines.
"This is an example of the seamy side of the gambling business," Mansfield said.
Mansfield acknowledged that the state is an active participant in gambling by supporting computer slot machines run by the Oregon Lottery. "I am ashamed of the state of Oregon for being in the gambling business," he said.
Raquel Summers listened to a little of heavy criticism against the Coquille before she left the hearing. Summers' father was part of the Coquille and she remains close to the tribe.
"I don't see why they have to run (the Coquille) into the ground like that," Summers said.
Summers believes the Cow Creek Band is acting in its own economic interests by criticizing the Coquille's legitimacy in Jackson County. She said it all comes down to the Cow Creek Band not wanting Jackson County residents staying put, but preferring that they drive up Interstate 5 to gamble in the Seven Feathers Casino instead.
"This is just a money thing for them," Summers said. "They don't want any competition." A casino would bring much-needed jobs to Medford, Summers said.
Some people attended the meeting to become informed about the issue. Paul Pigue of Central Point said he is "emotionally" opposed to the casino but he is willing to listen to both sides before making his final judgment.
"I'm willing to be convinced that the casino is okay," he said. As far as worrying about gambling as a moral issue, Pigue is troubled by the city government ruling against the tribe on those grounds.
In addition, Betty Hall of the Shasta Nation described the Coquille as "interlopers" who are extending well beyond their territory.
This begins a process that could lead to reservation status for the site. The Coquille also have asked the federal Office of Indian Gaming Management for an exception to a prohibition on gaming on lands acquired after October 1988.
In September 2012, the Coquille tribe announced it had purchased the Roxy Ann Lanes bowling alley and the former Kim's Restaurant in hopes of opening a Medford casino along South Pacific Highway.
Sara Koca of Medford said the Coquille would be a benefit to Medford. She worked for the tribe's Mill Casino in Coos Bay for three years.
"I welcome the Coquille tribe to my community and neighborhood," she said. "I know they will be contributors to the economy and overall well-being of this valley."
Koca said the tribe treated its employees well and crime was never an issue in and around the casino.
"I never had any problems there and I worked overnight," she said. The possibility of crime increasing because of a casino was on the minds of some speakers Thursday night.
William A. Mansfield of Medford pointed out a story in Thursday's Mail Tribune about a man suspected of attacking a local bartender earlier this week. Police allege the man was angry over losing $600 in video lottery machines.
"This is an example of the seamy side of the gambling business," Mansfield said.
Mansfield acknowledged that the state is an active participant in gambling by supporting computer slot machines run by the Oregon Lottery. "I am ashamed of the state of Oregon for being in the gambling business," he said.
Raquel Summers listened to a little of heavy criticism against the Coquille before she left the hearing. Summers' father was part of the Coquille and she remains close to the tribe.
"I don't see why they have to run (the Coquille) into the ground like that," Summers said.
Summers believes the Cow Creek Band is acting in its own economic interests by criticizing the Coquille's legitimacy in Jackson County. She said it all comes down to the Cow Creek Band not wanting Jackson County residents staying put, but preferring that they drive up Interstate 5 to gamble in the Seven Feathers Casino instead.
"This is just a money thing for them," Summers said. "They don't want any competition." A casino would bring much-needed jobs to Medford, Summers said.
Some people attended the meeting to become informed about the issue. Paul Pigue of Central Point said he is "emotionally" opposed to the casino but he is willing to listen to both sides before making his final judgment.
"I'm willing to be convinced that the casino is okay," he said. As far as worrying about gambling as a moral issue, Pigue is troubled by the city government ruling against the tribe on those grounds.
2013年4月25日 星期四
Lobbyist for wind power apologizes
A lobbyist for an industry group supporting wind power apologized to a Vermont Senate committee on Wednesday after a witness she brought in called health concerns connected with wind power "hoo-hah," nonsense and propaganda.
Gabrielle Stebbins, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, called the remarks of acoustics expert Geoff Levanthall unhelpful and offered an apology to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee after Leventhall testified at the hearing by phone from England.
"There's no scientific evidence behind what they (critics of wind power) say," Leventhall said. "It's all made-up, make-believe, trying to find something to object to, and trying to find something that will be difficult to disprove. It's a technique, a propaganda technique, and they've been very, very effective."
Afterward, Stebbins said she regretted Leventhall's comments. "I don't think that's helpful for the debate and, for the record, I do apologize for that."
Stebbins' comments came at the end of the hearing in which two Vermont doctors — one of them critical of a wind power project near his home in Ira and of the industry generally — testified about what they said were ill health effects connected with wind power among people living near the turbines.
Leventhall did describe for the committee low-frequency, inaudible "infrasound," that some blame on problems connected with wind turbines but that he said have less of an impact on people than sounds generated within the body, like the heartbeat.
The committee also heard from Luann Therrien, a Sheffield resident who said she and her husband have suffered severe sleep loss leading to depression since 16 turbines operated by First Wind began operating within about two miles of their home, with the closest being about a half mile away.
"We did not oppose the project, not until it was up and running and creating noise," Therrien said. "I have constant ringing in my ears that can be very distracting. My husband has been feeling so bad that he is currently unable to work. His doctor has pulled him from his job."
Discussion centered on sleep loss due to audible sounds from the turbines and on infrasound, the low-frequency noise inaudible to human ears but which some doctors have linked to ill health effects — sometimes called wind turbine syndrome.
Dr. Sandy Reider, a primary care provider practicing in Lyndonville, told the committee he had seen "a half dozen or so patients who are suffering from living in proximity to these turbines." He told of one particularly tough case of a 33-year-old, healthy man who developed problems after a wind turbine began operation on Burke Mountain near his home.
The man "began to experience increasingly severe insomnia, waking multiple times at night with severe anxiety and heart palpitations, and experiencing during the daytime pressure headaches, nausea, ringing in his ears and difficulty concentrating," Reider said.
Gabrielle Stebbins, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, called the remarks of acoustics expert Geoff Levanthall unhelpful and offered an apology to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee after Leventhall testified at the hearing by phone from England.
"There's no scientific evidence behind what they (critics of wind power) say," Leventhall said. "It's all made-up, make-believe, trying to find something to object to, and trying to find something that will be difficult to disprove. It's a technique, a propaganda technique, and they've been very, very effective."
Afterward, Stebbins said she regretted Leventhall's comments. "I don't think that's helpful for the debate and, for the record, I do apologize for that."
Stebbins' comments came at the end of the hearing in which two Vermont doctors — one of them critical of a wind power project near his home in Ira and of the industry generally — testified about what they said were ill health effects connected with wind power among people living near the turbines.
Leventhall did describe for the committee low-frequency, inaudible "infrasound," that some blame on problems connected with wind turbines but that he said have less of an impact on people than sounds generated within the body, like the heartbeat.
The committee also heard from Luann Therrien, a Sheffield resident who said she and her husband have suffered severe sleep loss leading to depression since 16 turbines operated by First Wind began operating within about two miles of their home, with the closest being about a half mile away.
"We did not oppose the project, not until it was up and running and creating noise," Therrien said. "I have constant ringing in my ears that can be very distracting. My husband has been feeling so bad that he is currently unable to work. His doctor has pulled him from his job."
Discussion centered on sleep loss due to audible sounds from the turbines and on infrasound, the low-frequency noise inaudible to human ears but which some doctors have linked to ill health effects — sometimes called wind turbine syndrome.
Dr. Sandy Reider, a primary care provider practicing in Lyndonville, told the committee he had seen "a half dozen or so patients who are suffering from living in proximity to these turbines." He told of one particularly tough case of a 33-year-old, healthy man who developed problems after a wind turbine began operation on Burke Mountain near his home.
The man "began to experience increasingly severe insomnia, waking multiple times at night with severe anxiety and heart palpitations, and experiencing during the daytime pressure headaches, nausea, ringing in his ears and difficulty concentrating," Reider said.
2013年4月24日 星期三
NextFab Studio hosts prototyping how-to during Philly Tech Week
NextFab Studio in South Philadelphia hosted “Product Prototyping in 60 Minutes” for 30 engineers, entrepreneurs and artists interested in creating products using the advanced technology available at the studio.
NextFab staffers presented participants with the prototyping steps using a digital house number design, then demonstrated how the product was constructed using the studio’s equipment, including various software programs, a wood-carving ShopBot, a stone cutting Waterjet machine and the Arduino microcontroller.
The event was NextFab’s first prototyping demo and part of Philly Tech Week.
NextFab’s president and founder Evan Malone worries about the loss of manufacturing in the US and wants to show that advanced computer-controlled machines can spur innovation. He said he hopes that the event will show people interested in these technologies the thought process behind turning an idea into a product, and also a few of the pitfalls they are likely to encounter along the way.
“People get excited about an idea and rush in without considering whether the direction they’re headed in is a good one for their ends goal,” said Malone, who explained paying attention to excitement-killers like financing, legal issues and marketability early on can mean success for product creators.
The studio operates like a fitness gym. Members can use NextFab’s equipment, take classes or receive assistance from trained staff members. Biomedical engineering student Melissa Stagnl joined NextFab to learn more about electronic and mechanical programming. “I’m interested in creating a sleep mask that will help with lucid dreaming,” said Stagnl.
Software programmer George Alexander is considering membership and was impressed with the studio’s 3D printing machines and laser cutters. The prototyping presentation gave Alexander a concrete idea of how the South Philadelphia studio could assist him in creating the jewelry he hopes to make. “The amount of activity that there is in the rapid prototyping and 3D printing area, lots going on in the world, and Philadelphia, this is really where it’s at.”
Today, the pressures faced by PPM center largely on customers seeking offshore solutions, typically from China, Malaysia, and other low-cost areas of the world. As a result, the company has created a niche for machining high-end medical components that, “no one else wants to cut, because it is just not profitable for them,” John says.
He goes on and describes PPM’s manufacturing style as probably a little different, positively attacking CAD models in Pro-Engineer, and then generating our machine code in the same CAD package, returning seamlessly what the client ordered from solid geometry to the reality of actual products manufactured exactly to specification.
“Using Haas technology, we get greedy,” John notes. “We utilize a fourth-axis rotary head to machine four sides of the workpiece with one fixture, and then we flip it, and we are done in two operations, before it goes into our finishing department for deburring.”
Typical materials processed on the Haas machines include 17/4 stainless steel, 400- and 300-series stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, and PEEK (polyether ether ketone). In terms of the latter, PPM has just secured its first order for PEEK, and production of these parts will be on Haas technology.
“We are a no-debt operation – we buy our equipment, pay it off, and move on,” John explains. “The Haas machines are particularly good for us, as is the price structure. The machines we acquired were not $500,000, as some makes; they were a lot less, so we had the means to bring them in as needed, and we could own them outright. In addition, for the size of product that we manufacture, the machining envelopes and tables are just the right size, and the machines have no problem holding the close tolerances our parts require.”
John and his family understand fully the importance of the parts they are making, the difference they can make to a recipient’s life, and the need to pay close attention to specifications and quality.
NextFab staffers presented participants with the prototyping steps using a digital house number design, then demonstrated how the product was constructed using the studio’s equipment, including various software programs, a wood-carving ShopBot, a stone cutting Waterjet machine and the Arduino microcontroller.
The event was NextFab’s first prototyping demo and part of Philly Tech Week.
NextFab’s president and founder Evan Malone worries about the loss of manufacturing in the US and wants to show that advanced computer-controlled machines can spur innovation. He said he hopes that the event will show people interested in these technologies the thought process behind turning an idea into a product, and also a few of the pitfalls they are likely to encounter along the way.
“People get excited about an idea and rush in without considering whether the direction they’re headed in is a good one for their ends goal,” said Malone, who explained paying attention to excitement-killers like financing, legal issues and marketability early on can mean success for product creators.
The studio operates like a fitness gym. Members can use NextFab’s equipment, take classes or receive assistance from trained staff members. Biomedical engineering student Melissa Stagnl joined NextFab to learn more about electronic and mechanical programming. “I’m interested in creating a sleep mask that will help with lucid dreaming,” said Stagnl.
Software programmer George Alexander is considering membership and was impressed with the studio’s 3D printing machines and laser cutters. The prototyping presentation gave Alexander a concrete idea of how the South Philadelphia studio could assist him in creating the jewelry he hopes to make. “The amount of activity that there is in the rapid prototyping and 3D printing area, lots going on in the world, and Philadelphia, this is really where it’s at.”
Today, the pressures faced by PPM center largely on customers seeking offshore solutions, typically from China, Malaysia, and other low-cost areas of the world. As a result, the company has created a niche for machining high-end medical components that, “no one else wants to cut, because it is just not profitable for them,” John says.
He goes on and describes PPM’s manufacturing style as probably a little different, positively attacking CAD models in Pro-Engineer, and then generating our machine code in the same CAD package, returning seamlessly what the client ordered from solid geometry to the reality of actual products manufactured exactly to specification.
“Using Haas technology, we get greedy,” John notes. “We utilize a fourth-axis rotary head to machine four sides of the workpiece with one fixture, and then we flip it, and we are done in two operations, before it goes into our finishing department for deburring.”
Typical materials processed on the Haas machines include 17/4 stainless steel, 400- and 300-series stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, and PEEK (polyether ether ketone). In terms of the latter, PPM has just secured its first order for PEEK, and production of these parts will be on Haas technology.
“We are a no-debt operation – we buy our equipment, pay it off, and move on,” John explains. “The Haas machines are particularly good for us, as is the price structure. The machines we acquired were not $500,000, as some makes; they were a lot less, so we had the means to bring them in as needed, and we could own them outright. In addition, for the size of product that we manufacture, the machining envelopes and tables are just the right size, and the machines have no problem holding the close tolerances our parts require.”
John and his family understand fully the importance of the parts they are making, the difference they can make to a recipient’s life, and the need to pay close attention to specifications and quality.
2013年4月23日 星期二
FenRATS protest against wind turbine plan
Some 30 to 40 members of protest group FenRATS gathered outside the Boathouse, Wisbech, today to campaign against Wind Ventures Ltd who wants to build six 126-metre high turbines between Gorefield and Sutton St James.
Wind Ventures lodged an appeal after both Fenland District Council and South Holland District Council rejected their application last year.
“We believe we have a very strong case. This was turned down unanimously by both Fenland and South Holland councils.
“Their main reason was the effect it’s going to have on properties close to the turbines, which will be dwarfed by them.
“They will have a devastating effect on the landscape and change Fenland’s character forever.“We support renewable energy and have done our bit. We just think enough is enough.”
FenRATS have engaged the services of a barrister and experts to represent their interests, at an estimated cost of 30,000.
Mr Coleman said: “Our campaign is costing a huge amount. We have got a barrister representing us and a team of expert witnesses fighting our corner.
“We are basically just a small community of ordinary people who don’t have a lot of money but have pulled together.
“People are literally in tears about this. It will cause a huge amount of damage to the fabric of our community.” Residents in St Dogmaels are concerned over the wind turbine being visible on the skyline from the village.
At a meeting of St Dogmaels Community Council on Friday six members of the public spoke against the installation of the turbine, pointing out that it would have a detrimental effect on the beauty of the area.
Among those giving evidence at the inquiry will be NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay, South Holland MP John Hayes and East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer.
The inquiry will end on May 3 and a visit to the site, which crosses the boundaries of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, will take place the following week.
A final decision will be announced by the Planning Inspectorate on June 17. FenRATS is a group of local community members driving a campaign to stop the proposed Treadings Bank Wind Farm development.
Their campaign literature says that “we feel that establishing a wind farm at the Treading Bank site, with turbines higher than Coldham Wind Farm, would have an adverse affect on the immediate area, most notably the parishes of Tydd St Giles, Sutton St Edmund, Gorefield, Newton and Parson Drove.”
Councillor Steve Tierney, who spoke at a recent public meeting organised by FenRATs, said “The turnout for the meeting was very good – particularly since we’ve been doing these for years now.
“You could almost wonder if the long time-span on such things were deliberately set to try and bleed the strength of resolve out of local people. Or perhaps that’s overly paranoid. “Anyway, it hasn’t worked. Local people remain furious. Fingers crossed for a good result.”
Wind Ventures lodged an appeal after both Fenland District Council and South Holland District Council rejected their application last year.
“We believe we have a very strong case. This was turned down unanimously by both Fenland and South Holland councils.
“Their main reason was the effect it’s going to have on properties close to the turbines, which will be dwarfed by them.
“They will have a devastating effect on the landscape and change Fenland’s character forever.“We support renewable energy and have done our bit. We just think enough is enough.”
FenRATS have engaged the services of a barrister and experts to represent their interests, at an estimated cost of 30,000.
Mr Coleman said: “Our campaign is costing a huge amount. We have got a barrister representing us and a team of expert witnesses fighting our corner.
“We are basically just a small community of ordinary people who don’t have a lot of money but have pulled together.
“People are literally in tears about this. It will cause a huge amount of damage to the fabric of our community.” Residents in St Dogmaels are concerned over the wind turbine being visible on the skyline from the village.
At a meeting of St Dogmaels Community Council on Friday six members of the public spoke against the installation of the turbine, pointing out that it would have a detrimental effect on the beauty of the area.
Among those giving evidence at the inquiry will be NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay, South Holland MP John Hayes and East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer.
The inquiry will end on May 3 and a visit to the site, which crosses the boundaries of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, will take place the following week.
A final decision will be announced by the Planning Inspectorate on June 17. FenRATS is a group of local community members driving a campaign to stop the proposed Treadings Bank Wind Farm development.
Their campaign literature says that “we feel that establishing a wind farm at the Treading Bank site, with turbines higher than Coldham Wind Farm, would have an adverse affect on the immediate area, most notably the parishes of Tydd St Giles, Sutton St Edmund, Gorefield, Newton and Parson Drove.”
Councillor Steve Tierney, who spoke at a recent public meeting organised by FenRATs, said “The turnout for the meeting was very good – particularly since we’ve been doing these for years now.
“You could almost wonder if the long time-span on such things were deliberately set to try and bleed the strength of resolve out of local people. Or perhaps that’s overly paranoid. “Anyway, it hasn’t worked. Local people remain furious. Fingers crossed for a good result.”
2013年4月18日 星期四
Residents in Wrightington set to fight 90m wind turbine plans
The application to build the development on land near Toogood Lane, Wrightington, was submitted to West Lancashire council earlier this month and has already attracted concern from people living nearby who claim the turbine will have a detrimental effect on the area's green belt landscape.
Karen Collins, a member of the Wrat Pack (Wrightington Residents Against Turbines), said that residents were worried that they would have to live with the effects of the development for years to come.
She said: "At 90m – almost 300ft – the turbine will be twice the height of the Mormon church spire in Chorley. It will have significant impact on the landscape character.
"The size and scale of this wind turbine is totally inappropriate for a small village. This is commercialisation of the country's green belt."
The council's policy on renewable energy supports the installation of renewable schemes providing there is no negative effect to the local area.
The policy also states that planning permission on green belt land would only be granted in very special circumstances and a planning statement from Freshfields explains that "consideration should be given to the whether the development constitutes" this.
Janet Watt, who has lived in Church Lane, for more than 25 years, is just one of the residents who has objected to the plans.
Among her concerns were the impact of the turbine on the visual amenity for residents and visitors, noise and vibration disturbance, the flicker shadow – the flicker effect from the sunlight shining through the moving blades – and the effect the development could have on the area's wildlife.
An environment report from the applicant, Freshfield, stated that there are no records of protected or notable species held within the survey area. It also said that although the turbine will be a noticeable feature it is not considered to be out of scale in relation to its surroundings.
If you've driven by the University of Guam campus recently, you may have noticed a new feature at Dean's Circle. UOG director of integrated marketing communications Jonas Macapinlac says the college's first wind turbine has been up and running since March.
"It is a 65' tower and a one-kilowatt wind turbine and it's at Dean's Circle House 32, the Center for Island Sustainability Model Home, and within the next couple of weeks as we make sure all the settings are correct and the calibrations are correct then we're going to start collecting data" he said.
The turbine will be used to charge an electric car as well as pump water from water encatchments to the site's sustainable garden. Macapinlac adds that this turbine complies with requests from the Guam Land Use Commission as neighbors expressed concerns about a 100' tower's effects, including noise pollution and how it would fall in the event of a typhoon.
Karen Collins, a member of the Wrat Pack (Wrightington Residents Against Turbines), said that residents were worried that they would have to live with the effects of the development for years to come.
She said: "At 90m – almost 300ft – the turbine will be twice the height of the Mormon church spire in Chorley. It will have significant impact on the landscape character.
"The size and scale of this wind turbine is totally inappropriate for a small village. This is commercialisation of the country's green belt."
The council's policy on renewable energy supports the installation of renewable schemes providing there is no negative effect to the local area.
The policy also states that planning permission on green belt land would only be granted in very special circumstances and a planning statement from Freshfields explains that "consideration should be given to the whether the development constitutes" this.
Janet Watt, who has lived in Church Lane, for more than 25 years, is just one of the residents who has objected to the plans.
Among her concerns were the impact of the turbine on the visual amenity for residents and visitors, noise and vibration disturbance, the flicker shadow – the flicker effect from the sunlight shining through the moving blades – and the effect the development could have on the area's wildlife.
An environment report from the applicant, Freshfield, stated that there are no records of protected or notable species held within the survey area. It also said that although the turbine will be a noticeable feature it is not considered to be out of scale in relation to its surroundings.
If you've driven by the University of Guam campus recently, you may have noticed a new feature at Dean's Circle. UOG director of integrated marketing communications Jonas Macapinlac says the college's first wind turbine has been up and running since March.
"It is a 65' tower and a one-kilowatt wind turbine and it's at Dean's Circle House 32, the Center for Island Sustainability Model Home, and within the next couple of weeks as we make sure all the settings are correct and the calibrations are correct then we're going to start collecting data" he said.
The turbine will be used to charge an electric car as well as pump water from water encatchments to the site's sustainable garden. Macapinlac adds that this turbine complies with requests from the Guam Land Use Commission as neighbors expressed concerns about a 100' tower's effects, including noise pollution and how it would fall in the event of a typhoon.
2013年4月17日 星期三
The benefits of being Christian
It is not unusual for large companies to offer great perks. Among the common is a great insurance benefit package with little or no cost to the employee.
Then there are the typical perks of employee discounts on phones, rental cars, dry cleaners, hotel lodging, apartment rentals, computer purchases, auto repair and discounts on tax preparation.
If you are one of the lucky people to have landed a position in the Silicon Valley in California, the perks are out of this world.
A company with 250 employees provides every full-time worker the option to have their homes cleaned twice a month — for free.
Another business in the Silicon Valley offers free take-home dinners and helps find last minute babysitters when your child is too sick to attend school.
A consulting firm offers back-up assistance for the care of an elderly parent or grandparent. They also offer personal trainers, nutritionists and counseling services free to their employees.
One high-tech company offers free food in their impressive food court, dry cleaning services and an added bonus of $500 for new parents and fresh fish delivered to the office every day for the employees to take home.
Some of these companies allow families to come during the evening hours and eat free in their food court when employees work late. They also provide a $3,000-per-year child care benefit.
Other major companies offer free health club memberships for employees and their families. Their outlook is the healthier the employee, the less they will use their medical benefits.
Being a Christian has marvelous benefits. The first is eternal life. Then there’s the added benefit of spending eternity in a mansion prepared just for you and streets paved with gold. Awesome.
While here on earth, you have the benefit of going to Our Heavenly Father in prayer any time of the day or night, knowing He hears and will answer your prayer.
You have the confidence that you are never alone; that He is always with you. No one else can offer that promise.
Then there’s the promise of peace, joy and happiness, no matter what situation you face.
The Great Physician is standing ready to provide healing whenever you need it, at no extra charge.
Unconditional love, even when you don’t deserve it, and a friend who will stick by you to the end.Of all the perks big companies have to offer, they can’t begin to compare.
Then there are the typical perks of employee discounts on phones, rental cars, dry cleaners, hotel lodging, apartment rentals, computer purchases, auto repair and discounts on tax preparation.
If you are one of the lucky people to have landed a position in the Silicon Valley in California, the perks are out of this world.
A company with 250 employees provides every full-time worker the option to have their homes cleaned twice a month — for free.
Another business in the Silicon Valley offers free take-home dinners and helps find last minute babysitters when your child is too sick to attend school.
A consulting firm offers back-up assistance for the care of an elderly parent or grandparent. They also offer personal trainers, nutritionists and counseling services free to their employees.
One high-tech company offers free food in their impressive food court, dry cleaning services and an added bonus of $500 for new parents and fresh fish delivered to the office every day for the employees to take home.
Some of these companies allow families to come during the evening hours and eat free in their food court when employees work late. They also provide a $3,000-per-year child care benefit.
Other major companies offer free health club memberships for employees and their families. Their outlook is the healthier the employee, the less they will use their medical benefits.
Being a Christian has marvelous benefits. The first is eternal life. Then there’s the added benefit of spending eternity in a mansion prepared just for you and streets paved with gold. Awesome.
While here on earth, you have the benefit of going to Our Heavenly Father in prayer any time of the day or night, knowing He hears and will answer your prayer.
You have the confidence that you are never alone; that He is always with you. No one else can offer that promise.
Then there’s the promise of peace, joy and happiness, no matter what situation you face.
The Great Physician is standing ready to provide healing whenever you need it, at no extra charge.
Unconditional love, even when you don’t deserve it, and a friend who will stick by you to the end.Of all the perks big companies have to offer, they can’t begin to compare.
2013年4月16日 星期二
Councillors grant wind mast permission
The application by SSE Renewables, one of the shareholders in the 457 megawatt wind farm project, had attracted four objections.
During a short hearing in Lerwick Town Hall on Tuesday morning, James Mackenzie of anti-Viking group Sustainable Shetland told the four councillors present that planning conditions had previously been breached when the applicant used the wrong access route.
“In the event contractors were observed accessing the mast site from the A970 close to Petta Water and an occupied red throated diver breeding site on two occasions,” Mackenzie said.
“It is therefore of great concern to me that conditions or recommendations made by the planning authority may be ignored again to the detriment of wildlife.”
Viking Energy’s project officer David Thomson said the data mast was one of many the project had across the site.
As the wind farm is unlikely to be built before 2018/19, collecting further wind data was necessary to make the right decisions on turbine acquisition and financial modeling, he said.
The recommendation to renew the temporary planning permission was then moved by councillor Drew Ratter and seconded by Steven Coutts.
Former Viking director Ratter had earlier declared a non-pecuniary interest as a trustee of Shetland Charitable Trust, a major shareholder in the Viking project, but decided to participate in the planning meeting.
Committee member and former Sustainable Shetland chairman Billy Fox said he could not take part, as it was he who had presented the group’s original objection back in April 2010.
After the meeting Thomson said: “We’re satisfied with the result and are always happy to go through the correct process so everyone can have their say.
It is important to us to have continual wind data to cover the period until the project is up and running.
“At that point the temporary masts will be decommissioned and the permanent masts that already have been approved as part of last year’s wind farm consent will take over.”
Mackenzie said: “I was not surprised by the decision today, be we nevertheless thought it worthwhile to bring to the attention of the committee and the wider public that this temporary planning permission has conditions attached which cannot be complied with.
“One of the conditions is for the re-instatement of the site after the removal of the mast. This is impossible as the mast will be replaced by a large section of the planned wind farm.”
The wind farm project received planning consent from Scottish ministers in April last year, a decision that is currently being challenged by Sustainable Shetland in the Court of Session.
During a short hearing in Lerwick Town Hall on Tuesday morning, James Mackenzie of anti-Viking group Sustainable Shetland told the four councillors present that planning conditions had previously been breached when the applicant used the wrong access route.
“In the event contractors were observed accessing the mast site from the A970 close to Petta Water and an occupied red throated diver breeding site on two occasions,” Mackenzie said.
“It is therefore of great concern to me that conditions or recommendations made by the planning authority may be ignored again to the detriment of wildlife.”
Viking Energy’s project officer David Thomson said the data mast was one of many the project had across the site.
As the wind farm is unlikely to be built before 2018/19, collecting further wind data was necessary to make the right decisions on turbine acquisition and financial modeling, he said.
The recommendation to renew the temporary planning permission was then moved by councillor Drew Ratter and seconded by Steven Coutts.
Former Viking director Ratter had earlier declared a non-pecuniary interest as a trustee of Shetland Charitable Trust, a major shareholder in the Viking project, but decided to participate in the planning meeting.
Committee member and former Sustainable Shetland chairman Billy Fox said he could not take part, as it was he who had presented the group’s original objection back in April 2010.
After the meeting Thomson said: “We’re satisfied with the result and are always happy to go through the correct process so everyone can have their say.
It is important to us to have continual wind data to cover the period until the project is up and running.
“At that point the temporary masts will be decommissioned and the permanent masts that already have been approved as part of last year’s wind farm consent will take over.”
Mackenzie said: “I was not surprised by the decision today, be we nevertheless thought it worthwhile to bring to the attention of the committee and the wider public that this temporary planning permission has conditions attached which cannot be complied with.
“One of the conditions is for the re-instatement of the site after the removal of the mast. This is impossible as the mast will be replaced by a large section of the planned wind farm.”
The wind farm project received planning consent from Scottish ministers in April last year, a decision that is currently being challenged by Sustainable Shetland in the Court of Session.
NYPD Takes Down Cocaine-Delivery Ring
Dozens of alleged drug dealers who delivered cocaine to investment
bankers, college students and public housing residents have been
arrested in an NYPD sting operation, officials said.
In total, 41 members of three drug crews operating out of city public housing in Manhattan were indicted. They offered doorstep delivery, NYPD officials and state prosecutors said Friday.
"As this indictment reveals, residents of Manhattan today can get nearly everything delivered," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance. "From dinner to dry cleaning, and even cocaine."
The crews used livery drivers to make deliveries of cocaine, which had been marked up to more than twice the normal street value, Vance said.
Customers could buy small packets of cocaine for as little as $120 or pay $5,600 for four ounces, officials said.
"At a minimum, $1.2 million worth of cocaine was sold over the course of the two-year investigation," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
"Cocaine was delivered by runners who were dropped at customers' doorsteps by a network of livery cabdrivers who were also in on the action," he said.
Asked whether drug deliveries were made to investment houses or locations on Wall Street, Kelly did not offer specifics. He said the investigation into the ring's various customers was continuing. He said there would be more arrests.
Vance said wiretapped conversations indicated that there was discussion about using superstorm Sandy rent-rebate money to buy drugs, but there was no evidence of that actually happening.
Four people were charged under the state drug kingpin law, which carries a maximum life prison term. They include Adrian "Ace" Rivera, 24, of Baruch House in Manhattan, who allegedly sold cocaine to undercover detectives and was popular on social media sites flashing money, Kelly said.
Rivera's activity led investigators to target the three drug rings: Blocc Boyz, Money Boyz and Cash is King, Kelly said.
A key to making the case was the use of search warrants to get information from Facebook and other social media accounts, said Kelly, who explained that most of those arrested, including a number of young women, knew each other from high school.
In total, 41 members of three drug crews operating out of city public housing in Manhattan were indicted. They offered doorstep delivery, NYPD officials and state prosecutors said Friday.
"As this indictment reveals, residents of Manhattan today can get nearly everything delivered," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance. "From dinner to dry cleaning, and even cocaine."
The crews used livery drivers to make deliveries of cocaine, which had been marked up to more than twice the normal street value, Vance said.
Customers could buy small packets of cocaine for as little as $120 or pay $5,600 for four ounces, officials said.
"At a minimum, $1.2 million worth of cocaine was sold over the course of the two-year investigation," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
"Cocaine was delivered by runners who were dropped at customers' doorsteps by a network of livery cabdrivers who were also in on the action," he said.
Asked whether drug deliveries were made to investment houses or locations on Wall Street, Kelly did not offer specifics. He said the investigation into the ring's various customers was continuing. He said there would be more arrests.
Vance said wiretapped conversations indicated that there was discussion about using superstorm Sandy rent-rebate money to buy drugs, but there was no evidence of that actually happening.
Four people were charged under the state drug kingpin law, which carries a maximum life prison term. They include Adrian "Ace" Rivera, 24, of Baruch House in Manhattan, who allegedly sold cocaine to undercover detectives and was popular on social media sites flashing money, Kelly said.
Rivera's activity led investigators to target the three drug rings: Blocc Boyz, Money Boyz and Cash is King, Kelly said.
A key to making the case was the use of search warrants to get information from Facebook and other social media accounts, said Kelly, who explained that most of those arrested, including a number of young women, knew each other from high school.
2013年4月14日 星期日
Attorney general vs. Creeks now in federal court
An attempt by Alabama's attorney general to shut down three casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has shifted to federal court, where a judge will have to decide if the state's top prosecutor can challenge the tribe's gambling.
Attorney General Luther Strange initially filed suit in Elmore County, where the tribe operates one of its three casinos. The suit was filed on Feb. 19, the same day the attorney general raided and shut down the privately operated VictoryLand casino in Macon County.
Strange contended the tribe's casinos in Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore were a public nuisance operating illegal gambling machines. The tribe argued that it is under federal regulation rather than state regulation, and it got the suit moved to federal court in Montgomery.
In federal court, the attorney general is arguing that the tribe is operating games that exceed any authority it may have under federal or state law. The tribe contends that bingo is legal in some Alabama counties, and the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory act allows it to operate any gambling that is legal in the state. It maintains that its games are simply electronic versions of bingo and are allowed under federal law. It is asking U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins to dismiss the suit on grounds that Strange lacks standing to sue.
"To nobody's surprise, Attorney General Strange raises claims that are without merit and have been rejected numerous times in various forums," Robert McGhee, government relations adviser for the tribe, said in a statement.
Strange's deputy solicitor general, Andrew Brasher, said the attorney general is pleased the tribe got the suit moved to federal court.
"This procedural move required the tribal defendants to acknowledge that federal law gives the state a claim against them and to waive several defenses that they could have raised," he said.
In papers filed Thursday, the attorney general argues that the games are slot machines, which are illegal in Alabama and, unlike a game of bingo, they can be played by touching a button once.
McGhee is confident the case will end with the federal court ruling the state has no jurisdiction under federal law. "The real question is when is the attorney general going to cease ignoring federal law and attempting to undermine the inherent right of the Poarch Band to govern itself," he said.
With the attorney general's crackdown on VictoryLand and other privately operated casinos, the Poarch Creek's three casinos are now the largest gambling operations in the state. The attorney general and other law enforcement agencies have raided privately operated gambling halls, but Strange has taken the courtroom approach with Alabama's only federally recognized Indian tribe because of the status it has under federal law.
Attorney General Luther Strange initially filed suit in Elmore County, where the tribe operates one of its three casinos. The suit was filed on Feb. 19, the same day the attorney general raided and shut down the privately operated VictoryLand casino in Macon County.
Strange contended the tribe's casinos in Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore were a public nuisance operating illegal gambling machines. The tribe argued that it is under federal regulation rather than state regulation, and it got the suit moved to federal court in Montgomery.
In federal court, the attorney general is arguing that the tribe is operating games that exceed any authority it may have under federal or state law. The tribe contends that bingo is legal in some Alabama counties, and the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory act allows it to operate any gambling that is legal in the state. It maintains that its games are simply electronic versions of bingo and are allowed under federal law. It is asking U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins to dismiss the suit on grounds that Strange lacks standing to sue.
"To nobody's surprise, Attorney General Strange raises claims that are without merit and have been rejected numerous times in various forums," Robert McGhee, government relations adviser for the tribe, said in a statement.
Strange's deputy solicitor general, Andrew Brasher, said the attorney general is pleased the tribe got the suit moved to federal court.
"This procedural move required the tribal defendants to acknowledge that federal law gives the state a claim against them and to waive several defenses that they could have raised," he said.
In papers filed Thursday, the attorney general argues that the games are slot machines, which are illegal in Alabama and, unlike a game of bingo, they can be played by touching a button once.
McGhee is confident the case will end with the federal court ruling the state has no jurisdiction under federal law. "The real question is when is the attorney general going to cease ignoring federal law and attempting to undermine the inherent right of the Poarch Band to govern itself," he said.
With the attorney general's crackdown on VictoryLand and other privately operated casinos, the Poarch Creek's three casinos are now the largest gambling operations in the state. The attorney general and other law enforcement agencies have raided privately operated gambling halls, but Strange has taken the courtroom approach with Alabama's only federally recognized Indian tribe because of the status it has under federal law.
2013年4月11日 星期四
Delta College training machinists to meet manufacturing demand
A recent survey of manufacturers in the Great Lakes Bay Region shows they are having trouble finding qualified machinists.
That news came as a surprise to Kathy Conklin, executive director of the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers' Association, who compiled the survey in 2012. The 27 companies that responded said all were seeking qualified skilled workers and that they'd need 639 operators and 443 machinists within five years.
"We know there is a great demand," Conklin said.
Delta College hopes to meet that demand with its accelerated computer numerical control, or CNC, machinist program. The next session begins in May, and spaces for students are filling up, said Harvey Schneider, Delta's Skilled Trades liaison specialist.
Schneider said manufacturers often are looking for entry level workers with a few years experience, yet those people typically have jobs. The Delta program helps others learn a skill set to find employment as well, he said.
Delta's 11-week program immerses students in the world of a CNC machinist, with four 8-hour days in the classroom and one day spent job shadowing at an area manufacturer each week.
The accelerated program, Schneider said, is different than Delta's Fast Start programs, which are designed with a specific employer in mind.
Students receive college credit and a certificate of completion for the accelerated CNC program, and can go on to earn an advanced CNC certificate or skilled trades associate degree.
Operators and machinists work locally for companies like Emcor, Bay Cast and Fullerton Tool, that produce pieces for larger machines or devices in industries ranging from aerospace to medical.
Interested students can attend an informational session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, in room N012 at Delta College, 1961 Delta Road in Bay County's Frankenlust Township. Delta is set to run four sections of the program, including one that will run from 4 p.m. to midnight, Schneider said. The cost for the program and books starts at $2,500. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer-controlled machine tool operators earn a median wage of $35,580 annually, and as much as $52,850 a year.
Of the 22 students who completed the first session last year, 10 got jobs and seven returned to Delta the next fall for classes, said program coordinator Terry Morse.
Morse said manufacturers where students are shadowing are even offering students jobs before they complete the program. "Companies from Oscoda to Genesee County are starting to call us," Morse said.
Morse and Schneider explained students are learning the skills employers are demanding, and are being taught by instructors working in the field.
"It's pretty exciting," said Conklin from the Manufacturers' Association. "We are starting to build a pipeline that really works."
That news came as a surprise to Kathy Conklin, executive director of the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers' Association, who compiled the survey in 2012. The 27 companies that responded said all were seeking qualified skilled workers and that they'd need 639 operators and 443 machinists within five years.
"We know there is a great demand," Conklin said.
Delta College hopes to meet that demand with its accelerated computer numerical control, or CNC, machinist program. The next session begins in May, and spaces for students are filling up, said Harvey Schneider, Delta's Skilled Trades liaison specialist.
Schneider said manufacturers often are looking for entry level workers with a few years experience, yet those people typically have jobs. The Delta program helps others learn a skill set to find employment as well, he said.
Delta's 11-week program immerses students in the world of a CNC machinist, with four 8-hour days in the classroom and one day spent job shadowing at an area manufacturer each week.
The accelerated program, Schneider said, is different than Delta's Fast Start programs, which are designed with a specific employer in mind.
Students receive college credit and a certificate of completion for the accelerated CNC program, and can go on to earn an advanced CNC certificate or skilled trades associate degree.
Operators and machinists work locally for companies like Emcor, Bay Cast and Fullerton Tool, that produce pieces for larger machines or devices in industries ranging from aerospace to medical.
Interested students can attend an informational session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, in room N012 at Delta College, 1961 Delta Road in Bay County's Frankenlust Township. Delta is set to run four sections of the program, including one that will run from 4 p.m. to midnight, Schneider said. The cost for the program and books starts at $2,500. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer-controlled machine tool operators earn a median wage of $35,580 annually, and as much as $52,850 a year.
Of the 22 students who completed the first session last year, 10 got jobs and seven returned to Delta the next fall for classes, said program coordinator Terry Morse.
Morse said manufacturers where students are shadowing are even offering students jobs before they complete the program. "Companies from Oscoda to Genesee County are starting to call us," Morse said.
Morse and Schneider explained students are learning the skills employers are demanding, and are being taught by instructors working in the field.
"It's pretty exciting," said Conklin from the Manufacturers' Association. "We are starting to build a pipeline that really works."
2013年4月10日 星期三
Hydro-China deal safe from carbon changes
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was on hand as Hydro signed an agreement with Shenua in Beijing to pursue wind farm projects that would generate 700 megawatts of electricity.
No specific projects have been detailed as part of the agreement, which builds on 75 per cent stakes by the Chinese company in two existing Tasmanian wind farms.
Hydro chief executive Roy Adair says the new deal is not contingent on the carbon price, which the federal opposition has pledged to abolish if it wins government in September.
But Mr Adair said continued bipartisan support for Australia's renewable energy target of 20 per cent was important. "It's not related to the carbon tax," Mr Adair told reporters.
"It is fundamentally founded on the continuation of the renewable energy target and the need for Australia to use that investment class legislation to help it achieve the emissions reduction targets.
"It has bipartisan support so therefore I would say we're fairly confident it will remain in place.
"If Australia is to achieve those goals, and these goals are related to climate change targets and emissions controls, then this is a valuable piece of legislation and we see it staying in place."
Mr Adair said Shenua were keeping abreast of the carbon tax debate in Australia. He said the price had boosted Hydro's income by $70-80 million since its introduction in July last year.
A 700 megawatt boost would translate to around 230 turbines and treble Hydro's wind farm operations operating at Woolnorth and soon-to-be completed Musselroe in the state's north. It could include a 200-turbine proposal for King Island, which is in the community consultation phase.
A professional with more than 35 years of experience in the commercial property-casualty insurance industry, Smith has worked with a variety of renewable enterprises, including manufacturers of inverters, solar panels and concentrated solar energy systems, providing risk management advice.
Before joining Assurant, he served as the program director for PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services, developing warranty insurance programs for solar equipment and wind turbine manufacturers. Prior to that role, he was the chief operating officer at Commodore Insurance.
Smith also has held senior leadership roles in underwriting and business development at Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., rising to the rank of regional underwriting executive during 20 years of service.
No specific projects have been detailed as part of the agreement, which builds on 75 per cent stakes by the Chinese company in two existing Tasmanian wind farms.
Hydro chief executive Roy Adair says the new deal is not contingent on the carbon price, which the federal opposition has pledged to abolish if it wins government in September.
But Mr Adair said continued bipartisan support for Australia's renewable energy target of 20 per cent was important. "It's not related to the carbon tax," Mr Adair told reporters.
"It is fundamentally founded on the continuation of the renewable energy target and the need for Australia to use that investment class legislation to help it achieve the emissions reduction targets.
"It has bipartisan support so therefore I would say we're fairly confident it will remain in place.
"If Australia is to achieve those goals, and these goals are related to climate change targets and emissions controls, then this is a valuable piece of legislation and we see it staying in place."
Mr Adair said Shenua were keeping abreast of the carbon tax debate in Australia. He said the price had boosted Hydro's income by $70-80 million since its introduction in July last year.
A 700 megawatt boost would translate to around 230 turbines and treble Hydro's wind farm operations operating at Woolnorth and soon-to-be completed Musselroe in the state's north. It could include a 200-turbine proposal for King Island, which is in the community consultation phase.
A professional with more than 35 years of experience in the commercial property-casualty insurance industry, Smith has worked with a variety of renewable enterprises, including manufacturers of inverters, solar panels and concentrated solar energy systems, providing risk management advice.
Before joining Assurant, he served as the program director for PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services, developing warranty insurance programs for solar equipment and wind turbine manufacturers. Prior to that role, he was the chief operating officer at Commodore Insurance.
Smith also has held senior leadership roles in underwriting and business development at Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., rising to the rank of regional underwriting executive during 20 years of service.
2013年4月9日 星期二
Financial Health Is The Focus For The Month Of April
How are you doing financially? Are you able to live comfortably; able to take vacations to faraway places? Or are you just getting by — barely able to meet your basic needs: housing, food, clothing, transportation and medical?
Because economic security is an important aspect of health and well-being, Financial Health is the focus for April in your Passport to Happiness Calendar — and the topic for the next Passport to Happiness event at the center April 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Carol Mauser, from the Aging and People with Disabilities office, and Marvin Pohl from the Area Agency on Aging will explain and clarify different services available to support older adults including Qualified Medicare Benefits, SHIBA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Oregon Project Independence.
A few examples include evaluating your health insurance annually, which means for us “mature” folks to always review our current medical plans during Medicare Open Enrollment in October; borrow instead of buy (The Dalles Wasco County Library has a large selection of popular videos to lend) and to start hand washing instead of dry cleaning one shirt a month (I’ve never heard of anyone dry-cleaning their shirts! But then, I never knew you didn’t ask for Thousand Island dressing in an Italian restaurant.)
The center‘s first spring day-trip is to WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum) in Hood River April 13. That is the second Saturday of the month when WAAAM fires up their aeroplanes and autos so you can experience what it was like in the “good-old-days.” The cost is $10 for admission, (but I have four two-for-the-price-of-one coupons, so for the first eight folks to sign up admission is only $5) plus $7.50 for round-trip transportation. Trip capacity is 12. We will leave the Center at 9 a.m. and return by 4 p.m.
OSU Extension, in cooperation with CGCC, is offering Mastery of Aging Well in a five session series on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at The Dalles CGCC campus starting April 18. Each session will include a 45-minute video presentation, plus an expert speaker. The first session is on Memory Difficulties, followed by Depression in Later Life, Medication Jeopardy, Food as Medicine, and Physical Exercise in Later Life.
And before the shallow water passes away to let the deep sea roll, playing tonight at the center is “Martin and Friends.” Next week, Truman will be serenading you with Country Gold. Music begins at 7 p.m.
The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question was General Douglas MacArthur who at his farewell speech before Congress spoke the famous lines “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” (And this week’s winner is Sandy Goforth.)
This week’s question is about a common antiseptic from the 1950’s which is seldom used anymore. Before my mother would paint my cuts or scrapes with this orange liquid, I can still remember grimacing, because I knew it was going to sting like the devil.
Because economic security is an important aspect of health and well-being, Financial Health is the focus for April in your Passport to Happiness Calendar — and the topic for the next Passport to Happiness event at the center April 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Carol Mauser, from the Aging and People with Disabilities office, and Marvin Pohl from the Area Agency on Aging will explain and clarify different services available to support older adults including Qualified Medicare Benefits, SHIBA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Oregon Project Independence.
A few examples include evaluating your health insurance annually, which means for us “mature” folks to always review our current medical plans during Medicare Open Enrollment in October; borrow instead of buy (The Dalles Wasco County Library has a large selection of popular videos to lend) and to start hand washing instead of dry cleaning one shirt a month (I’ve never heard of anyone dry-cleaning their shirts! But then, I never knew you didn’t ask for Thousand Island dressing in an Italian restaurant.)
The center‘s first spring day-trip is to WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum) in Hood River April 13. That is the second Saturday of the month when WAAAM fires up their aeroplanes and autos so you can experience what it was like in the “good-old-days.” The cost is $10 for admission, (but I have four two-for-the-price-of-one coupons, so for the first eight folks to sign up admission is only $5) plus $7.50 for round-trip transportation. Trip capacity is 12. We will leave the Center at 9 a.m. and return by 4 p.m.
OSU Extension, in cooperation with CGCC, is offering Mastery of Aging Well in a five session series on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at The Dalles CGCC campus starting April 18. Each session will include a 45-minute video presentation, plus an expert speaker. The first session is on Memory Difficulties, followed by Depression in Later Life, Medication Jeopardy, Food as Medicine, and Physical Exercise in Later Life.
And before the shallow water passes away to let the deep sea roll, playing tonight at the center is “Martin and Friends.” Next week, Truman will be serenading you with Country Gold. Music begins at 7 p.m.
The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question was General Douglas MacArthur who at his farewell speech before Congress spoke the famous lines “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” (And this week’s winner is Sandy Goforth.)
This week’s question is about a common antiseptic from the 1950’s which is seldom used anymore. Before my mother would paint my cuts or scrapes with this orange liquid, I can still remember grimacing, because I knew it was going to sting like the devil.
2013年4月8日 星期一
Council backs wind farm plans
A WIND farm spanning an area larger than Inverness is a step closer to being given the go ahead after Highland Council gave its backing to the scheme.
It is now for the Scottish Government to decide whether to grant planning permission to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) for the 67-turbine farm at Stronelairg on the Garrogie Estate, near Fort Augustus. It would be the biggest wind farms in the Highlands if approved.
Councillors in Inverness decided to back the plans today, despite more than 130 representations against the scheme. Earlier they visited the site, which involved a bus and landrover trip.
Aird and Loch Ness councillor Margaret Davidson supported the plans, saying few local residents were hostile to the scheme because the turbines will not be visible from their homes. However, she said she had serious concern about the impact on traffic.
"The only objections [from locals] were about the roads — for every one of these turbines there will be six abnormal [lorry] loads," she said. "There is no getting away from it, the impact of traffic going through Fort Augustus is going to be enormous."
However, Badenoch and Streathspey councillors Dave Fallows and Bill Lobban both opposed the development because of the detrimental impact on the rugged landscape and the absence of a national wild land policy.
Councillors voted 11 to three in favour of the plans. A small protest was held outside Highland Council headquarters in Inverness ahead of the meeting.
Among the objectors was 71-year-old Michael Waldron, whose family have run the Killin Estate since 1946.
Mr Waldron visits Killin Lodge every year and says the turbines will be a "great eyesore" and is concerned construction could threaten a rare species of fish in the River Killin and Loch Killin.
"The lodge is about a quarter-of-a-mile away from Stronelairg and is situated in a flood valley," he said. "If the wind farm is built then it would push the peat down into the water and threaten the Killin char which has been there since the Ice Age."
David Baldwin, the council’s planning officer, said a "buffer zone" had been included in the plans to alleviate any potential problems from peat slide.
Mr Waldron, who lives in Devon but travelled up to protest, waved a placard outside Highland Council headquarters with his son Stephen (45) and 14-year-old grandson Callum after being barred from protesting during the site visit.
There is widespread concern about the loss of wild land in the Loch Ness area and the impact this could have on tourism and the environment.
Stronelairg is just one of six built or planned wind farms on the west side of Loch Ness and community leaders in Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston have already said they fear being surrounded and want a study to be carried out to assess the cumulative impact.
Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust, Scotland’s wild land charity, described Loch Ness as a tourist hot spot and said the potential loss of wild land in the area was very concerning from a tourism but also environmental point of view.
"Although Stronelairg won’t be visible from the main road, once people stop and go to their bed and breakfasts and then out into the hills for a walk, or drive on the minor roads, it is going to have a massive impact," she said. "There is no doubt it would impact on a significant amount of the population and should be refused. It is a huge development — the footprint is about the size of Inverness."
It is now for the Scottish Government to decide whether to grant planning permission to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) for the 67-turbine farm at Stronelairg on the Garrogie Estate, near Fort Augustus. It would be the biggest wind farms in the Highlands if approved.
Councillors in Inverness decided to back the plans today, despite more than 130 representations against the scheme. Earlier they visited the site, which involved a bus and landrover trip.
Aird and Loch Ness councillor Margaret Davidson supported the plans, saying few local residents were hostile to the scheme because the turbines will not be visible from their homes. However, she said she had serious concern about the impact on traffic.
"The only objections [from locals] were about the roads — for every one of these turbines there will be six abnormal [lorry] loads," she said. "There is no getting away from it, the impact of traffic going through Fort Augustus is going to be enormous."
However, Badenoch and Streathspey councillors Dave Fallows and Bill Lobban both opposed the development because of the detrimental impact on the rugged landscape and the absence of a national wild land policy.
Councillors voted 11 to three in favour of the plans. A small protest was held outside Highland Council headquarters in Inverness ahead of the meeting.
Among the objectors was 71-year-old Michael Waldron, whose family have run the Killin Estate since 1946.
Mr Waldron visits Killin Lodge every year and says the turbines will be a "great eyesore" and is concerned construction could threaten a rare species of fish in the River Killin and Loch Killin.
"The lodge is about a quarter-of-a-mile away from Stronelairg and is situated in a flood valley," he said. "If the wind farm is built then it would push the peat down into the water and threaten the Killin char which has been there since the Ice Age."
David Baldwin, the council’s planning officer, said a "buffer zone" had been included in the plans to alleviate any potential problems from peat slide.
Mr Waldron, who lives in Devon but travelled up to protest, waved a placard outside Highland Council headquarters with his son Stephen (45) and 14-year-old grandson Callum after being barred from protesting during the site visit.
There is widespread concern about the loss of wild land in the Loch Ness area and the impact this could have on tourism and the environment.
Stronelairg is just one of six built or planned wind farms on the west side of Loch Ness and community leaders in Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston have already said they fear being surrounded and want a study to be carried out to assess the cumulative impact.
Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust, Scotland’s wild land charity, described Loch Ness as a tourist hot spot and said the potential loss of wild land in the area was very concerning from a tourism but also environmental point of view.
"Although Stronelairg won’t be visible from the main road, once people stop and go to their bed and breakfasts and then out into the hills for a walk, or drive on the minor roads, it is going to have a massive impact," she said. "There is no doubt it would impact on a significant amount of the population and should be refused. It is a huge development — the footprint is about the size of Inverness."
2013年4月7日 星期日
Continuity is what the MC leaves out
Decisions taken in one tenure of the Municipal Corporation seem to be forgotten as the next one starts. The proposal of the civic body to purchase machines for collection of leaves had been rejected by the councillors in the previous tenure. The same is once again doing the rounds with the demonstration of the machine held last week.
While time and again a need for having some mechanism in place to maintain continuity has been highlighted, little has come of it. This time, the MC is contemplating purchasing machines which was opposed by the councillors in the previous term of the civic body. The proposal has raised eyebrows with the previous councillors crying foul.
Former Congress councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma says that a demonstration of the machines was held in 2009 as well. However, the consensus was that there was no need to purchase the machines as the problem of leaves did not occur throughout the year. Instead, it was proposed that the machines could be hired for a few months every year. He adds that officials are quick to purchase machines.
The Municipal Corporation has over the years purchased several cleaning machines that have not solved the intended purpose. The mechanised sweeping machines procured from Italy at a cost of Rs 5 crore have been a failure. Prior to that, two machines for road cleaning were purchased from Noida. That too did not serve any purpose. In previous years, a machine, "Bob Cat", was purchased for cleaning of back lanes. Within a few months, it became redundant.
Kamlesh, who was the mayor at that time, says, "I have time and again raised the need for having a system in place that would ensure continuity. The outgoing team should prepare a booklet containing the decisions taken. The officers are on deputation and are repatriated when the tenure ends. The councillors are elected every five years."
She adds that the proposal to purchase the machines had earlier been rejected. Objections had also been raised by the management of the garbage processing plant to the proposal.
Of the previous lot of councillors, five were re-elected when elections were held in 2011. Of these, H C Kalyan is the chairman of the sanitation committee that saw the demonstration of the machine held recently. He says that he does not remember seeing the machines earlier. All the members of the sanitation committee will be shown the machine and after examining all aspects, a decision will be taken on its purchase, he adds.
While time and again a need for having some mechanism in place to maintain continuity has been highlighted, little has come of it. This time, the MC is contemplating purchasing machines which was opposed by the councillors in the previous term of the civic body. The proposal has raised eyebrows with the previous councillors crying foul.
Former Congress councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma says that a demonstration of the machines was held in 2009 as well. However, the consensus was that there was no need to purchase the machines as the problem of leaves did not occur throughout the year. Instead, it was proposed that the machines could be hired for a few months every year. He adds that officials are quick to purchase machines.
The Municipal Corporation has over the years purchased several cleaning machines that have not solved the intended purpose. The mechanised sweeping machines procured from Italy at a cost of Rs 5 crore have been a failure. Prior to that, two machines for road cleaning were purchased from Noida. That too did not serve any purpose. In previous years, a machine, "Bob Cat", was purchased for cleaning of back lanes. Within a few months, it became redundant.
Kamlesh, who was the mayor at that time, says, "I have time and again raised the need for having a system in place that would ensure continuity. The outgoing team should prepare a booklet containing the decisions taken. The officers are on deputation and are repatriated when the tenure ends. The councillors are elected every five years."
She adds that the proposal to purchase the machines had earlier been rejected. Objections had also been raised by the management of the garbage processing plant to the proposal.
Of the previous lot of councillors, five were re-elected when elections were held in 2011. Of these, H C Kalyan is the chairman of the sanitation committee that saw the demonstration of the machine held recently. He says that he does not remember seeing the machines earlier. All the members of the sanitation committee will be shown the machine and after examining all aspects, a decision will be taken on its purchase, he adds.
2013年4月6日 星期六
Wind energy is divisive
AUSTRALIA'S climate commissioner, Tim Flannery, recently suggested the health impact of wind farms was more likely to result from neighbours being stressed than physically harmed by wind-related noise.
To back up his claim, Professor Flannery relayed a conversation with a Canberra farmer over whether six turbines on his property had made any of his neighbours sick.
"(The farmer) said, `Yeah, mate, people get sick, sick with envy'," Prof Flannery told a forum, referring to the farmer's $60,000 annual windfall for leasing his land for turbine use.
Like most Australians, I love the idea of wind turbines as a renewable form of energy. Sometimes they even seem quite graceful.
But it's all very well to favour green energy when the closest you get to its production is switching on the kettle.
Many of you will know I grew up in Port Vincent, on Yorke Peninsula. I still have property there and return regularly for holidays.
So, in recent months I've heard lots of differing opinions on the proposed $1.3 billion Ceres Wind Farm on land between Port Vincent and Port Julia, and it's made me realise just how divisive and messy these supposedly win-win schemes can be.
On every level, this project is massive. Developer REpower says the Ceres project would be the biggest wind farm in Australia, powering up to 225,000 homes, potentially driving down energy prices and helping to facilitate an early regional rollout of the NBN.
It's massive, too, in terms of the injection of cash into the regional economy: $8 million annually, including a $150,000 community benefit fund, 500 jobs in construction and 50 permanent jobs for 25 years.
Then there's the size of the 199 turbines. At 150m, they'd be the tallest wind turbines in Australia - higher than the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Adelaide's tallest building, Westpac House.
And there's the rather massive amount of cash that 36 landholders will receive in return for hosting the turbines: at $15,000 a year each for 199 turbines, you're looking at an average new income stream of $80,000 yearly for the landholders involved (or an average of $2 million each for the life of the project).
Massive, too, is the intensity of feeling this project has sparked on both sides of the debate.
Neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend, family against family - little wonder people feel sick to the stomach.
Let's leave the whole intrasound health argument to one side (research hasn't proved it, but experts say more studies are warranted).
Instead, it's only fair to consider the families who live next door and down the road from the 36 host properties - families who've farmed the land for generations and now face a future blighted by 150m turbines as close as 1.3km from their front door.
Heartland Farmers, a collective of more than 200 landowners opposed to the Ceres project, say it will significantly affect their ability to produce high-yield crops because aerial sprayers can't get within 3km of the turbines.
They fear the turbines will restrict the potential for aerial firefighting, heightening the fire risk for properties and people. Land values, they say, could also fall as they've done in other regional areas where wind farms have been built.
I can well appreciate how galling it must be for these farmers when they're expected to suck it up for the common good of SA, especially as their multibillion-dollar agriculture industry is taken for granted more than it's truly celebrated.
I'm not flatly opposed to the Ceres project, although why we'd use good farm land when there's so much arid space further north is a bit baffling.
I know families who stand to do very well out of the development and can understand why they're keen to take up the opportunity.
But I also know people who are at their wits end about it. And it's made me realise that you can't trivialise these issues down to NIMBY jibes and "sick with envy" quotes.
To back up his claim, Professor Flannery relayed a conversation with a Canberra farmer over whether six turbines on his property had made any of his neighbours sick.
"(The farmer) said, `Yeah, mate, people get sick, sick with envy'," Prof Flannery told a forum, referring to the farmer's $60,000 annual windfall for leasing his land for turbine use.
Like most Australians, I love the idea of wind turbines as a renewable form of energy. Sometimes they even seem quite graceful.
But it's all very well to favour green energy when the closest you get to its production is switching on the kettle.
Many of you will know I grew up in Port Vincent, on Yorke Peninsula. I still have property there and return regularly for holidays.
So, in recent months I've heard lots of differing opinions on the proposed $1.3 billion Ceres Wind Farm on land between Port Vincent and Port Julia, and it's made me realise just how divisive and messy these supposedly win-win schemes can be.
On every level, this project is massive. Developer REpower says the Ceres project would be the biggest wind farm in Australia, powering up to 225,000 homes, potentially driving down energy prices and helping to facilitate an early regional rollout of the NBN.
It's massive, too, in terms of the injection of cash into the regional economy: $8 million annually, including a $150,000 community benefit fund, 500 jobs in construction and 50 permanent jobs for 25 years.
Then there's the size of the 199 turbines. At 150m, they'd be the tallest wind turbines in Australia - higher than the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Adelaide's tallest building, Westpac House.
And there's the rather massive amount of cash that 36 landholders will receive in return for hosting the turbines: at $15,000 a year each for 199 turbines, you're looking at an average new income stream of $80,000 yearly for the landholders involved (or an average of $2 million each for the life of the project).
Massive, too, is the intensity of feeling this project has sparked on both sides of the debate.
Neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend, family against family - little wonder people feel sick to the stomach.
Let's leave the whole intrasound health argument to one side (research hasn't proved it, but experts say more studies are warranted).
Instead, it's only fair to consider the families who live next door and down the road from the 36 host properties - families who've farmed the land for generations and now face a future blighted by 150m turbines as close as 1.3km from their front door.
Heartland Farmers, a collective of more than 200 landowners opposed to the Ceres project, say it will significantly affect their ability to produce high-yield crops because aerial sprayers can't get within 3km of the turbines.
They fear the turbines will restrict the potential for aerial firefighting, heightening the fire risk for properties and people. Land values, they say, could also fall as they've done in other regional areas where wind farms have been built.
I can well appreciate how galling it must be for these farmers when they're expected to suck it up for the common good of SA, especially as their multibillion-dollar agriculture industry is taken for granted more than it's truly celebrated.
I'm not flatly opposed to the Ceres project, although why we'd use good farm land when there's so much arid space further north is a bit baffling.
I know families who stand to do very well out of the development and can understand why they're keen to take up the opportunity.
But I also know people who are at their wits end about it. And it's made me realise that you can't trivialise these issues down to NIMBY jibes and "sick with envy" quotes.
2013年4月2日 星期二
Rankin to build wind turbine
While students revel in their spring break, work will begin Thursday on erecting a 100-foot-tall wind turbine at Rankin School in South Pekin as the foundation for the monopole will be dug and poured.
Rankin Community School District 98 received a grant of up to $40,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, according to District Superintendent Steve Johnson, to install a wind turbine to use as an educational tool.
“We’re not going to be installing it for the purpose of saving energy,” Johnson said. “We’re going to be using it as an educational tool for our students. We have some software that will feed the energy data from the turbine into the classrooms so our students can learn about clean energy and energy produced by the wind.
“We’re excited about it — we’re looking forward to it. It should create enough energy to light about 40 bulbs, so (we) won’t really see much savings from it.”
According to the grant application documents, the district will pay at least 10 percent of the installation costs, which will come from the building and maintenance budget.
Windy City Green Power, a Palatine-based firm, is helping coordinate the installation efforts, Johnson said.
Having recently received the go-ahead from the Tazewell County Regional Office of Education, the digging for the foundation is set to begin at 8 a.m. and finish at about noon Thursday, Johnson said.
The Rankin School District has already committed to alternative energy education, and the turbine should make its offerings more comprehensive.
The school already has a solar panel system that is used for educational purposes. Information about the power output of the panels is streamed to a website — available through a link on the district’s website — where students can view the effect the weather has on the panels’ output.
According to the district’s grant application, math and science teachers for the district’s junior high school are applying for a grant from the Illinois Wind Schools program for resources to develop a curriculum centered around the wind turbine, with topics including “fundamentals of wind energy, principles of wind turbine operation and ideas for integrating wind energy into the existing curriculum.”
The district also said in the grant application that it would work with the parents’ organization to host a “Wind Celebration Event” to raise community awareness about the importance of the turbine.
Dan Hayden with Capitol Power says “There was a very low risk of the fire spreading on the ground and at that point we realized there was not much they could do expect let it burn itself out.”
It was the first fire involving a functioning wind turbine in Ontario, and Dave Hemingway with Central Huron Against Turbines is among those who are concerned.
“The local municipalities don’t have either high-level rescue capabilities, as high as these turbines are, or they don’t have any fire equipment to put out a fire like this. Then you also wonder how far pieces off the turbine will travel in the wind.”
A crane will be brought in to remove the destroyed nacelle and blades as soon as possible, then a decision will have to be made about whether the burned-out parts can be replaced.
Rankin Community School District 98 received a grant of up to $40,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, according to District Superintendent Steve Johnson, to install a wind turbine to use as an educational tool.
“We’re not going to be installing it for the purpose of saving energy,” Johnson said. “We’re going to be using it as an educational tool for our students. We have some software that will feed the energy data from the turbine into the classrooms so our students can learn about clean energy and energy produced by the wind.
“We’re excited about it — we’re looking forward to it. It should create enough energy to light about 40 bulbs, so (we) won’t really see much savings from it.”
According to the grant application documents, the district will pay at least 10 percent of the installation costs, which will come from the building and maintenance budget.
Windy City Green Power, a Palatine-based firm, is helping coordinate the installation efforts, Johnson said.
Having recently received the go-ahead from the Tazewell County Regional Office of Education, the digging for the foundation is set to begin at 8 a.m. and finish at about noon Thursday, Johnson said.
The Rankin School District has already committed to alternative energy education, and the turbine should make its offerings more comprehensive.
The school already has a solar panel system that is used for educational purposes. Information about the power output of the panels is streamed to a website — available through a link on the district’s website — where students can view the effect the weather has on the panels’ output.
According to the district’s grant application, math and science teachers for the district’s junior high school are applying for a grant from the Illinois Wind Schools program for resources to develop a curriculum centered around the wind turbine, with topics including “fundamentals of wind energy, principles of wind turbine operation and ideas for integrating wind energy into the existing curriculum.”
The district also said in the grant application that it would work with the parents’ organization to host a “Wind Celebration Event” to raise community awareness about the importance of the turbine.
Dan Hayden with Capitol Power says “There was a very low risk of the fire spreading on the ground and at that point we realized there was not much they could do expect let it burn itself out.”
It was the first fire involving a functioning wind turbine in Ontario, and Dave Hemingway with Central Huron Against Turbines is among those who are concerned.
“The local municipalities don’t have either high-level rescue capabilities, as high as these turbines are, or they don’t have any fire equipment to put out a fire like this. Then you also wonder how far pieces off the turbine will travel in the wind.”
A crane will be brought in to remove the destroyed nacelle and blades as soon as possible, then a decision will have to be made about whether the burned-out parts can be replaced.
2013年4月1日 星期一
Inkjet or laser printing
Back in 1969, a graduate named Gary Starkweather, working in the copier department at Xerox in the US, had a visionary idea. He wanted to utilise new laser technology to create a radically different type of printer. It would scan an image, transfer it electrostatically, and then use heat to fuse tiny specs of toner dust on to a piece of paper.
The top brass at Xerox thought his idea was wildly unrealistic. But Starkweather persisted and a decade later the first commercial laser printers went on sale. The only drawback was that they were the size of a small car – and equally expensive.
As home printing took off three decades ago, it was cheap inkjet models – which simply hammered tiny dots of ink on to paper – that would end up in most people’s homes. The bulky laser version was a business-only product.
However, the last few years have seen the size and price of laser printers drop dramatically. Some models can now comfortably fit on a desktop.
Basic monochrome models can be bought for less than 100 (around QR550), although more sophisticated colour versions – with features such as Wi-Fi and duplex printing – can sell for three times that, and more. This compares with the 50 (around QR275) and less that inkjet printers sell for. So a laser will only make sense if the savings on ink outweigh the extra cost of the machine.
Standard laser cartridges – coloured toner (dry ink), typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) – contain a lot of intricate components, print anything from 1,500-3,500 pages but can set you back a hefty 60-120 (around QR330-QR660) each. Still, that compares well with the measly 200 pages you are likely to get from the standard inkjet cartridge costing around 15 (around QR80).
So do laser printers now represent a cost-effective alternative for the home consumer?
“It depends on how many pages you print,” says Patrick Stead, head of cartridge recycler Environmental Business Products. “Laser can be better value over the longer term, but the initial outlay can be a lot more.”
Cursory number-crunching indicates that if you print only, say, 1,000 pages a year – based on ISO standard 5% paper coverage – then the inkjet, at about 5p (around QR2.80) per page, is better value.
But for anyone who prints more than 2,000 pages a year, a laser printer, at about 3p (around QR1.66) per page, is cheaper. The savings increase the more you print. A screenwriter, for instance, who prints 10,000 pages, stands to save hundreds of riyals by switching.
“If you print a lot of black and white documents then a laser can save you a lot of money,” says Laura Heywood, managing director, at laser cartridge remanufacturer Kleen Strike.
But inkjet does have its advantages. At the domestic end of the market the print quality is higher and the colour definition better. “If you print mostly photos then you probably want to stick with an inkjet printer,” Heywood adds.
David Connett, editor of industry magazine The Recycler, says: “If you’re buying a laser printer, it’s important to work out what you’re going to use it for before deciding on a model. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the printer, the smaller the cartridge, and the lower the page yield.”
“Do not buy a laser printer on price alone,” says Heywood. “Always look at the cost of the replacement cartridges and their print yield.”
Peter Thompson, director at laser cartridge recycler PBT International, says: “Properly remanufactured laser cartridges are excellent value. But some producers find ways to cut corners, which can result in leakage and sometimes uneven printing. Try to buy from a reputable seller.”
The top brass at Xerox thought his idea was wildly unrealistic. But Starkweather persisted and a decade later the first commercial laser printers went on sale. The only drawback was that they were the size of a small car – and equally expensive.
As home printing took off three decades ago, it was cheap inkjet models – which simply hammered tiny dots of ink on to paper – that would end up in most people’s homes. The bulky laser version was a business-only product.
However, the last few years have seen the size and price of laser printers drop dramatically. Some models can now comfortably fit on a desktop.
Basic monochrome models can be bought for less than 100 (around QR550), although more sophisticated colour versions – with features such as Wi-Fi and duplex printing – can sell for three times that, and more. This compares with the 50 (around QR275) and less that inkjet printers sell for. So a laser will only make sense if the savings on ink outweigh the extra cost of the machine.
Standard laser cartridges – coloured toner (dry ink), typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) – contain a lot of intricate components, print anything from 1,500-3,500 pages but can set you back a hefty 60-120 (around QR330-QR660) each. Still, that compares well with the measly 200 pages you are likely to get from the standard inkjet cartridge costing around 15 (around QR80).
So do laser printers now represent a cost-effective alternative for the home consumer?
“It depends on how many pages you print,” says Patrick Stead, head of cartridge recycler Environmental Business Products. “Laser can be better value over the longer term, but the initial outlay can be a lot more.”
Cursory number-crunching indicates that if you print only, say, 1,000 pages a year – based on ISO standard 5% paper coverage – then the inkjet, at about 5p (around QR2.80) per page, is better value.
But for anyone who prints more than 2,000 pages a year, a laser printer, at about 3p (around QR1.66) per page, is cheaper. The savings increase the more you print. A screenwriter, for instance, who prints 10,000 pages, stands to save hundreds of riyals by switching.
“If you print a lot of black and white documents then a laser can save you a lot of money,” says Laura Heywood, managing director, at laser cartridge remanufacturer Kleen Strike.
But inkjet does have its advantages. At the domestic end of the market the print quality is higher and the colour definition better. “If you print mostly photos then you probably want to stick with an inkjet printer,” Heywood adds.
David Connett, editor of industry magazine The Recycler, says: “If you’re buying a laser printer, it’s important to work out what you’re going to use it for before deciding on a model. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the printer, the smaller the cartridge, and the lower the page yield.”
“Do not buy a laser printer on price alone,” says Heywood. “Always look at the cost of the replacement cartridges and their print yield.”
Peter Thompson, director at laser cartridge recycler PBT International, says: “Properly remanufactured laser cartridges are excellent value. But some producers find ways to cut corners, which can result in leakage and sometimes uneven printing. Try to buy from a reputable seller.”
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)