Here’s another slap in the face for all you US taxpaying, “buy American – so we have more jobs” folks out there in Neverland: US based Duke Energy is building two wind plants in US based Texas utilizing 87 massive turbines from Germany based Siemens and 84 massive turbines from Japan based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Oh, by the way, construction is to begin in December of this year just in time for Duke to cash in on the millions currently available under the Federal government’s 1603 Grant, which is, hopefully, to expire at the end of the year. Oh, in case you’re not aware … the 1603 grant money they’re handing out is yours. Well, it used to be.
Again, how stupid do the politicians think we taxpayers are? Don’t bother to answer.
Again, when will this nonsense stop? When we replace the current crop of self-serving politicians with individuals truly dedicated to protecting our interests.
Maybe you could ask yours if they feel comfortable handing your hard-earned tax money to foreign enterprises. You can reach your representative here, and your senators here, and President Obama here.
When they tell you it’s for your own good, suggest that, since it’s your money, you would prefer to make the choice.
Go ahead … contact them. It’ll be fun.
Allegheny Treasures 
Its Ok….its not our money….we are only here to take it away….We need the money for our new wind farms
http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_316.cfm?action=display&id=7871
Public Hearings On Duke Energy Rate Hike Begin Tonight
Lisa Miller
Tuesday October 11, 2011 MULTIMEDIA
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Duke Energy has asked the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission for an average 15 percent rate hike. The commission will hold six public hearings across the state over the next two months. The first one is in Charlotte tonight.
Duke Energy wants to raise rates 14 percent for businesses and 17 percent for residential customers. That would add about $19 to an average home’s electricity bill.
Bill Gupton with Consumers Against Rake Hikes says Duke doesn’t need the extra money after solid earnings and recent rate increases.
“Last year they started an 8 percent rate hike. In September they increased the fuel adjustment charge by 5 percent and now they’re asking for a 17 percent residential rate hike increase,” says Gupton. “We think this really is excessive and will negatively impact the North Carolina economy.”
Duke Energy spokesman Jason Walls says most of the increase would go toward paying off upgrades to power plants like the new coal-fired unit at the Cliffside plant and improvements to the utility’s distribution system.
“We’ve reached a point when many of the power plants we’ve relied on for decades are aging and they need to be retired and replaced,” says Walls.
As part of Duke’s rate request, the utility is also seeking an 11.5 percent return on equity, which is a way to measure shareholder profits. Right now Duke is allowed a 10.7 percent return.
Duke is also awaiting approval of its merger with Progress Energy. Federal regulators worry it would reduce competition in the Carolinas. The companies are now trying to address those concerns.
The rate increase hearing begins at 7:00 tonight at the government center in uptown Charlotte.
ATTENTION: Excuse us while we shut down our turbines…We have a bat problem. Did someone apply for an Incidental Take Permit?
“Night operation of the windmills in the North Allegheny Windpower Project has been halted following discovery of a dead Indiana bat under one of the turbines, an official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday.”
“The find is significant because the Indiana bat is an endangered species and is protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.”
“The 35-windmill farm was built by Gamesa Energy USA in Portage, Washington and Cresson townships in Cambria County and extends across the line into Blair County.”
“It became operational in September 2009 and was purchased by Duke Energy in July 2009”
Source: http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x345569257/Windmills-to-shut-at-night-following-demise-of-rare-bat