Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom A few people's questions about park improvement really got me thinking. After visiting Walt Disney World two weeks ago. What I think is missing the most is Disney committment to being a good steward to the environment. One of the big things about EPCOT Center when is was initually built was energy conservation. Clearly one of the messages of DAK is protecting the environmental. I would really like to see Disney approach the state of Florida and say. Look we have a billion dollars and we can spend it anywhere. What we would like to do is build a solar farm or wind farm to "help" supplement the energy requirements necessary of sustaining the Walt Disney World developments. Please give us a tax break. There are a lot of things I would like to see built at WDW; monorail expansion, more rides/ attractions at MGM. But Disney needs to come up with the energy source for sustaining all this developement. Anyway just a thought.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I like the idea of using the property on a large scale like this. The original Epcot goals were along those lines. Don't know that Florida at large is suited to windfarms. But some major energy project would be cool.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Well its just an idea. I'm not sure what alternative energy source might be best suited for the Orlando area myself. I think it would reaffirm Walt Disney World's committment toward being an environmental steward. I'm not suggesting they turn the entire property into a giant solar or wind farm. Its just that I hear they are going to commit another 300 plus acres of land toward developement. Why not be energy conscious at the same time. I just think it would be a worthy goal. It is not going to get WDW more visitors. But I think it adds Value to the WDW property.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn WDW was the prime industry leader of "Green" projects from its origination.
Originally Posted By fkurucz FWIW, its a lot easier to be green than it used to be (with apologies to Kermit). For example, at home we buy 600 KwH of wind generated electricity every month, and it only adds $6 to our monthly bill.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And energy light bulbs now cost about 10% of what they did 5 years ago.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Well to Disney's credit they are using those really kewl LED christmas lights just about everywhere on property. Oh, you can buy them at Target. They are made by Phillips!!!! But all this unbriddled developement. Somethings got to be churning out the power to AC all these buildings and lights.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Oh and Dave thanks again for the Teddy bear. I have to hid it from my dog. She thinks its a toy for her.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> energy light bulbs now cost about 10% of what they did 5 years ago << The low energy bulbs are used EVERYWHERE on property now. This would be one of those few things where the bean counter's votes actually work towards the Disney show instead of against it.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Here is what some Western US States are doing. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/08/01/BAG157VM721.DTL" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/ article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/08/01/BAG157VM721.DTL</a> <<But Western states have announced ambitious plans for conversion to renewable energy over the next decade or so. California's goal is to produce 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2017. New Mexico is aiming for 10 percent by 2011. Texas, despite its oil industry, has set a goal of 2.7 percent by 2009. A referendum headed for the Colorado ballot in November would require the state to get to 10 percent by 2015. And the fuel, of course, is free. "I can tell you exactly how much an hour of sunshine is going to cost 15 years from now," Hansen said. "That's not so easy to predict if you're talking about a barrel of oil or a ton of coal." >>
Originally Posted By Remember 1984 Concerning the original post: I don't like that idea at all. Spend the money on park improvement. The funny thing about tax breaks is, you've got to spend the money to get it. It can be a two steps forward, three steps back situation.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Yes but wait till the price of oil/ coal goes up. Its money in the bank. Granted there is an initial cost. But once the equipment is paid off, its free. All this developement has an environmental impact somewhere in Florida.
Originally Posted By Gregor Unfortunately solar panels are very inefficient. They convert less than 20% of the energy received by the sun into power. And to top it off, another 14% of that is lost when converting the power from a DC current to an AC current. And if your goal is to be "green" then WDW is not the place for a solar farm because it is mostly wetlands with lots and lots of trees. Tearing out the environment in order to save the environment seems kind of ridiculous. The reason solar power works better out west is because they have vast desert areas which, unlike a wetlands environment, are hostile with very little life per square mile.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom One of the great things about "energy" is that it is convertable. I know that the Disney Company is reluctant to dedicate their property for something as green as a solar/ wind farms. But Disney could just as easily purchase cheap land anywhere in the country and put the power into the grid. Also in terms of solar power, the most efficient way of utilizing solar power is heating water. Disney could just as easily install solar hotwater collectors to heat the hot water needs for its water parks, pools, etc. So solar power is still a viable option. The collectors on the top of the Energy Pavallion are able to deliver 15% or that Pavallions eletrical needs. The key points here is; zero impact on the environment, sustainable and free.
