1) Wind speed. Most of the Thruway is located in Zone 2 wind - not strong enough to generate electricity. For the little that remains, it would be cost-prohibitive to put it there ... long electrical trunk lines would have to be installed for only a few turbines.

2) Ice throw. This is a documented problem, not nearly as pervasive as many anti-turbine nuts would have you believe - but it is out there.

The danger is not from ice hitting cars, but rather from cars hitting the ice that has been thrown onto the road. Many German citizens have learned this the hard way and ended up in ditches, wrapped around utility poles, etc.

To avoid throwing ice on the road, turbines have to be set back from them by a distance of at least 500ft and usually more (depending on the height of the turbine - taller ones throw farther). For example, the proposed turbines in Bethany would need a 950ft setback to be safe. The Thruway corridor is not that wide.

Not that it was a bad idea to begin with ... many wind turbine issues are like this: they seem great until you start doing research on it.

By all means, continue to think and post about it - never know when you might stumble onto a real solution :)

Maple Ridge Wind Farm has turbines as close as 300' to the road so does your point even matter? Turbines are only great for the people making money off of them, not caring about anybody but themselves. Why don't you see how many leased landowners actually live on the same property as the 196 turbines there. You don't know too much about wind turbines. As your other comments about Dr. Pierpont and her comments about icethrow are not her calculations....they are referenced to sources. Go spend a couple days at the Flat Rock Inn....

Yes it does matter becuase reponsible zoning puts put them out at 1000ft. Dr. Pierpoint used a calculation that assumes the throw is conducted in a perfect vacuum - without wind resistance. I say it again - only published material can be trusted by experts in this field. While Dr. Pierpoint is one smart and accomplished person - she is operating out of her field of expertise.