Alternative energy sources as a means to help the United States be energy independent is prudent in respect to national security and financial stability. Being in control (at least in part) of our energy production will help prevent price fixing by petroleum producing countries and those that control production, as evident by the recent revelation of an American oil executive colluding with OPEC and the FTC preventing his appointment to the Board of Directors of a large oil company.
Wind, solar, and bio-fuels all should be considered in the mix of a growing US energy sector and Kansas stands to help lead the country in all three sectors. Wind has significant potential across Kansas, although the current infrastructure is a bit inefficient with regards to the horizontal positioning of the turbines. Driving on I-70, the oil stains dripping down the towers and blades is very unsightly and likely irritating to landowners. Vertical blades would be more efficient by eliminating a rotating or pivoting axis, and small residential units would be a nice way to make a little beer money each month. Think of the possibilities if every home had a small wind turbine like the decorative windmills that are common already in Kansas yards.
There is no argument that solar has high potential in Kansas with a 1 KW array producing 2,273 KWh/yr in Dodge City, The Golden Belt is not far from that average. Extrapolate that for MWh/yr at an average wholesale cost of $36/MWh and the math adds up quick, explaining why companies are interested in the region. In Barton County, at least two companies have their eyes set on large scale commercial solar energy conversion systems (SECS). But that begs the question, “Should we, just because we can?”
At first glance the idea of the Golden Belt generating 500-1,000 MW of electricity for export to neighboring states would mean an economic boom to the region. From building the infrastructure to selling the electricity generated, many people stand to make lots of money and potentially increased tax revenue for local governments (who never seem to run out of ways to spend that extra revenue).
However, Kansas is also a world leader in tornado activity, only behind Texas, which is nearly three times the size. Barton County and the Golden Belt are also state leaders for twisters. Barton had the second most tornadoes in the state from 1950-2012 with 94 and ranks high in terms of severe hail 1-2 inches or more in diameter.
No doubt our region needs new industry to reverse the downward trend we have seen in the past decades. But, seriously, just because we can, doesn’t mean that we should. The Lake Placid Solar Power Plant in Florida that was recently destroyed by an EF-2 tornado spawned during Hurricane Milton should be a instant awakening, as well as the Fort Bend County, Texas solar facility destroyed by hail in March 2024.
It is all reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 movie Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. A satirical Cold War story where a deranged Air Force General orders an atomic attack on the USSR. Undoubtably the USSR will retaliate with their own attacks assuring mutual destruction. All hope is not lost as Dr. Strangelove (a former Nazi scientist) convinces a war room full of high ranking officials that the human race can survive underground for a hundred years while the nuclear fallout dissipates. However, space is limited and only the most high ranking government and military officials will be selected. Luckily for the male officials the ratio of men to women will be significantly in their favor.
What does this satirical movie have to do with solar generation in the Golden Belt, though? Just like the officials in the movie that are lucky enough to secure a spot in the bunkers, the company men and developers will likely not see the ramifications of the natural weather events that our region is prone to. More emphasis placed on potential benefits with little regard to the potential impacts of a destructive natural disaster.
The residents that live here know the power of our weather and how far debris is scattered during a twister. Once a disaster occurs who will foot the bill? One developer has stated that their panels do not contain harmful chemicals, eliminating concerns about leaching into drinking water, but the debris of broken glass and plastic will not magically disappear. How many acres of debris does it take to become a Superfund site and will we be known as America’s largest and most expensive if that happens? Having the taxpayer foot the bill isn’t exactly fiscally responsible. Or, the debris remains forever scattered across the land as a reminder to the wisdom of the few. And at what cost to the landowners that still depend on the land for their livelihoods?
Perhaps a trip to Las Vegas to check the odds of such a destructive event will alleviate fears and assure benefit for the rest of us because not everyone will have enough money to skip off to Tahiti to retire in leisure.
— Andrew Murphy
