As noted by Ben Geman in The Hill's Energy Issue Watch Newsletter of December 7, the push for wind credits is in full force on Capitol Hill. The wind industry's lobbying effort is centered on extending the soon-to-lapse wind energy production tax credits before December 31. Without a year-end Congressional "tax extenders" package, the wind industry claims it would lack the money vital to fund new projects.
Critics of wind power perceive the tax credit as federal meddling in the energy market, believing that the industry should be allowed to either sink or swim on its own merits.
Steve Goreham, executive director of the Illinois-based Climate Science Coalition of America (www.climatescienceamerica.org
According to Steve Goreham: "Never has corporate America been so misguided. Foolish policies like the PTC and proactive company programs to buy 'green' renewable energy are based on Climatism, the belief that man-made greenhouse gases are destroying Earth's climate. An increasing body of science shows that climate change is natural and that human emissions are insignificant."While many people would like to power the world with zephyrs, the intermittent flow of the wind means that wind turbines cannot replace conventional nuclear, natural gas, or coal power plants. the 39,000 U.S. wind turbines generated only 29 percent of their rated output during 2011. When the wind doesn't blow, conventional power plants must provide backup power if continuity of electrical supply is to be maintained."
Are there health risks associated with individuals living in close proximity to wind turbines and large wind developments? Are there reports that the public can read of documented findings about current wind power usage in the U.S? The answer is "Yes" to both questions.
For readers interested in knowing the truth about wind power, John Droz, Jr., a physicist & environmental advocate, in his energy and Environmental newsletter for December 7, 2012, shared these very telling links:
1. Seven Myths About the PTC <http://www.themainewire.com/
2. Another good take <http://www.masterresource.
3. Let the PTC Expire <http://thehill.com/blogs/
4. Winding Down the Wind PTC <http://taxfoundation.org/
5. Wind industry executive acknowledges <http://www.statesman.com/
6. Big Wind: the most corrupt and corrupting industry in the world <http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/
7. Property values will drop near wind projects <http://www.saukvalley.com/
The Wind Power industry dismisses any negativity about wind as a viable form of energy. And why not? Developers of wind power here in Illinois and throughout this nation are reaping a boondoggle of financial benefits from tax credits they receive to develop wind projects, which would not be profitable to construct without taxpayer subsidies
According to a report by the American Wind Energy Association, in 2011 Illinois topped the nation in the number of new wind turbines installed -- 404 -- and ranked No. 2 behind California in the total amount of the turbines’ power capacity. http://www.suntimes.com/
Even in Europe the consensus on wind power is cracking. "Enough is enough" was blazoned over the front page of two British national newspaper early in December. It was intoned by British Energy minister, John Hayes, when he dared to utter the "unsayable" about wind power.
The EU target commits all members of the European Union to produce 32% of their electricity from renewables within eight years. It would require England to spend 100 billion pounds on another 24,000 giant turbines at a rate of nearly 10 new turbines a day. Adding the 24,000 new turbines to the 4,500 England already has, all together they would produce less reliable electricity than the single 2,200 megawatt gas-fired power station that opened in Wales in September of this year, at a fraction of the cost.
What about the setting of mandates for renewable energy here in the United States? Many states have mandates varying in percentages. For Illinois it is 25% by 2025, signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich on August 28, 2007. By 2025 seventy five percent must be from wind power generation.
Might Europe and the U.S. be fostering their own economic suicides, all in the name of man-made global warming?
John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel, calls the idea of man-made global warming "a scam."
As with British Energy minister, John Hayes, shouldn't this nation also be insisting that "Enough is enough"? Wind credit subsidies should be allowed to lapse on December 31, as wind power generation is unable to stand alone without government largess.
Nancy Thorner
Lake Bluff, Ill.