From Glenn Schleede, May 6, 2010:

A friend recently asked for my comments on the May 2009, “ACORE 20 GW Plan for Kansas,”[i] report, which claims that Kansas could get 20,000 megawatts (MW) of electric generating capacity from “renewable” energy sources (more than 18,000 MW coming from wind) and enjoy economic benefits.

I had heard of the ACORE report when it was issued but had not taken the time to read it since ACORE reports generally are biased and designed to promote the interest of ACORE members – as opposed to being objective and useful in advancing the national and public interest.

However, my friend claimed that the Governor of Kansas and other political leaders believe the report was useful so I downloaded it from ACORE’s web site and read it from cover to cover.

In summary, and as detailed below, the ACORE report:

• Is highly biased, totally lacking in objectivity, based on unrealistic and often undisclosed assumptions, and certainly is not useful as a basis for public policy decisions.
• Is highly misleading, particularly in its exaggerated claims of economic and job benefits.
• Ignores the high cost that its recommendations would imposed on the people of Kansas.
• Fails to identify and consider arguments against building a massive transmission system advocated by some electric transmission system owners and planners.
• Raises questions about the discernment skills of political leaders if they have taken the ACORE report seriously.
• Demonstrates the arrogance of the highly subsidized special interest groups that use misleading “reports” to influence the public, media, and government officials, and force high cost wind and other renewable generation into the nation’s energy mix and citizens’ tax and electric bills.

Allegheny Treasures Note:  “Mr. Schleede is the author of many papers and reports on energy matters.  He is now retired but continues to analyze and write about federal and state energy policies, particularly those affecting wind energy.”

“Until retiring, Schleede maintained a consulting practice, Energy Market and Policy Analysis, Inc. (EMPA)  Prior to forming EMPA, Schleede was Vice President of New England Electric System (NEES), Westborough, MA, and President of its fuels subsidiary, New England Energy Incorporated. Previously, Schleede was Executive Associate Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (1981), Senior VP of the National Coal Association in Washington (1977) and Associate Director (Energy and Science) of the White House Domestic Council (1973).  He also held career service positions in the U.S. OMB and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.”

“He has a BA degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MA from the University of Minnesota.  He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.“