Record #:

22455

Author(s):

Clausen, John

Abstract:

There are few places in the Southeast that have more potential for exploiting wind energy than Blowing Rock. Winds sometimes reach 100 mph in the area, and on nearby Grandfather Mountain wind gusts have been recorded at 200 mph. Blowing Rock is a small mountain town of about 1,400 which swells to about 8,000 during tourist season. It is a large part of the economy. The town is well-suited for both wind and tourists. However a conflict has arisen between advocates of green power technology and the value of viewscapes to tourism.

Source:

WNC Magazine (NoCar F261 .W64), Vol. 1 Issue 4, Sept/Oct 2007, p98-105, il

Subject(s):

Wind energy--Blowing Rock; Tourism--Blowing Rock