Will wind turbines start popping up in San Francisco?

Looks like they may!  Here's a bit of a piece from Triple Pundit:

San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25% of 1990 levels by 2012. To accomplish this goal, Mayor Gavin Newsom is now focusing on small scale wind generation and strengthening local building codes. This could be an effective strategy, since according to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 38% of CO2 emissions in the United States. Over the next 25 years, CO2 emissions from buildings are projected to grow faster than any other sector, with emissions from commercial buildings projected to grow the fastest. Buildings also consume 70% of the electricity load in the U.S., so the installation of local, renewable energy will ease energy demand and lower energy prices, as well as contribute to lowering greenhouse gasses.

Although solar panels may be installed on buildings in San Francisco, wind turbines are not currently allowed under local building codes. In the past, with the noise and space required by most wind turbines, there has been little demand for installing them in an urban setting. But wind power technology is changing, and it is now feasible to use small wind turbines to power your home or business. A few locals are starting to take advantage of that, such as Robin Wilson, who just finished building a green home called “La Casa Verde” in San Francisco’s Mission district. The home is powered with a combination of wind and solar thermal power, and is one of the 12 greenest homes in the world according to an upcoming series on the Discovery Channel.

...

At a tour of the home last Friday, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that he was forming a Residential Wind Power Working Group under Director of Climate Protection Initiatives, Wade Crowfoot. The goal of the group is to change San Francisco’s building codes so that businesses and residents can install wind turbines without having to go through the lengthy, painstaking process that Robin did.

(To read the whole post, head on over to Triple Pundit)

And if you're curious about Robin Wilson's turbine...she's got Southwest WIndpowers' Skystream.

Stins,

San Francisco is a progressive city! I wouldnt be suprised if wind turbines start popping up in SF...the city of SF has created extra rebates for people who go solar in SF. So in addition to what the state and federal govt. give, the city of SF will kick in some extra cash to make renewables even more of an attractive investment.

The rest of the USA should (particulary the fed. govt, should follow in the footsteps of SF)

Kickass.  Go SF!

It is so important that everyone take another look at residential wind power. There have been such great strides taken by the manufacturers, making them quieter and more powerfull. The Skystream 3.7 is probably the finest propeller style Wind Turbine on the market today. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTS) are becoming more popular, as they overcome many of the obstacles of the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTS). VAWTS are not as susectable to turbulence, so they can be mounted on or near buildings, and do not have to be above the tree tops.

All of this means that since Wind Power is becoming more affordable, and the fact that they are quiet and efficient, they should begin popping up all over the country!

Go GREEN, Have FUN, With Tiny Carbon FEET!!!