When it comes to nuisance suits based on aesthetic issues, Butler explains that "the courts have been extremely hesitant to label ugly, unattractive, or otherwise visually unappealing structures as nuisances" (p. 1350). The author argues in his Conclusion that a "balance must be struck" so when a wind energy development is proposed it doesn't have to go through a jury trial to get a building permit. In that regard, Butler argues, courts should not hesitate to "dismiss nuisance claims based on noise from wind developments when the pleadings show that the turbines have been reasonably sited" (p. 1373).

There is no simple answer to "d" -- but when it comes to offshore wind power there are regulatory issues and aesthetic issues that must be mitigated.

Synder, Brian, and Kaiser, Mark J. "Offshore Wind Power in the U.S.: Regulatory Issues and Models for Regulation." Energy Policy, Vol. 37, 4442-4453.

This article is published by the LSU Center for Energy Studies, and the quality of the objective research is very clear from the outset (ethos/Logos). The presentation is scholarly driven and there is little emotion involved (pathos) other than that the literature provides potential guidelines by scholars, not corporations or entrepreneurs.

Denmark is the world's leader when it comes to offshore wind power (about 20% of all electricity produced in Denmark comes from offshore wind energy), but other northern European nations (Holland, Ireland, Sweden and the UK) are building offshore wind farms as well. Currently in the United States there is no regulatory system in place, but other problems are also standing in the way of offshore wind farms. Synder explains that the U.S. could learn how to regulate offshore wind farms by going to school on what the UK and Denmark have done. While the UK has several overlapping agencies that a wind farm developer must get licenses from, Denmark has one agency responsible for licensing wind farms, the Danish Energy Authority (DEA). "The DEA provides...

4444). Meanwhile in Germany, more offshore wind parks have been authorized than any other European state, but none are in operation because of red tape and overlapping jurisdictions, Synder explains on p. 4445.
In order to get offshore wind farm projects off the drawing boards in the U.S. The authors suggest two potential scenarios. In one, the government selects the site and conducts a bidding process (with years of planning/monitoring); in the second scenario, developers select the sites and submit applications. In the Conclusion, the authors suggest that the U.S. government should establish a "one-stop-shopping" model like Denmark has done; but along with that strategy the U.S. should come up with "a mix of financial subsidies and amenable offshore sites" (p. 4452).

Another answer to question "d" -- as to what political hurdles need to be surpassed before Americans really get behind wind power -- can be found in attitudes about global climate change.

Langer, Gary. "Poll: Fewer Republicans and Conservatives Believe Global Warming is

Happening." ABC News. Retrieved Feb. 13, 2010, from http://abcnews.go.com.

Langer's article is strictly hard news content from the point-of-view of a national poll. Meanwhile, in late 2009 the ABC News / Washington Post poll showed a drop in the number of people who believe global warming is real. In 2006 some 85% of Americans believed the planet is heating up; in late 2009, that was down to 72%. The point here is, if Americans are being propagandized by right wing media and others into believing global warming is just a political ploy by liberals or Democrats, then why would it be crucial to push ahead with renewable energy sources like wind power? If fossil fuel power plants aren't part of the problem then why think about building wind farms? This is a real problem. Only 53% of Republicans in the poll believe the earth is warming, and 54% of "conservatives" believe the planet is heating up. Misinformation and politically driven polarization could prevent the country from having the clean, safe, renewable energy future that citizens deserve.