Somewhere between Lincoln and Russell County Kansas we saw these gigantic windmill farms that went on forever. Well, for at least 15 or 20 miles. There were hundreds if not thousands of them. I don't recall seeing these the last time we were through here a few years ago.

According to this article [1], a 100 turbine Kansas farm that went online in 2006 generates enough power for 42,000 homes.

Of course, Republicans in Kansas are opposed to them. In this 2005 press release [2], Frank Miller, Republican Representative for the 12th District of Kansas, complains about all the tax breaks they get (without mentioning all the tax breaks oil companies get), and cites environmental concerns (without mentioning coal fired power plant pollution or nuclear waste disposal). Maybe it's just me, but these windmill farms look a lot less harmful than a coal fired power plant.

(Rep. Miller notes in his press release that a "100 tower farm with a rated capacity of 100 megawatts running at 30 percent capacity would generate an income in 10 years of approximately $47 million." Sounds like a pretty good supplemental income for farmers.)

More photos (taken from a moving vehicle)...

Graceful

Wind turbines as far as you can see

Past meets future