Allegheny Treasures

Items of interest:

1-This question came up in conversation a couple of days ago.

How close is too close? – National Wind Watch

2-I could never figure why state officials feel compelled to weigh in on other than the facts.  “Jim Denn, a spokesman for the state Public Service Commission, said it’s rare to find problems with the construction of one turbine, let alone a group of them.”  Is the community impacted supposed to feel better now?

Problems at wind farms ‘unusual,’ state official says – Utica Observer-Dispatch

3-Now here’s something you don’t hear everyday … a politician taking a position during the campaign only to reverse it after winning.

Letter: Samuelson, please give us answers – Red Wing Republican Eagle

4-Jon Boone pointed this Kim Strassel article out a couple of days ago, calling it “perceptive.”

“Green Energy” Subsidy Factory — not just Cap & Trade — the Real Test for GOP Energy Chair – Mackinac Center

5-And the US is building windmills.  “Countries like France and Russia are not just looking India as a temporary market but as a partner in the global market in nuclear and other sector,”

‘Nuclear deal a big boost to power generation’ – The Times of India

Items of interest:

1-“What today’s green techno-glamour demonstrates, first and foremost, is that its audience has no inclination to give up the benefits of modernity and return to the pre-industrial state idealized by radical greens.”

The Allure of Techno-Glamour – Wall Street Journal

2-“At a time when the rest of the UK is being told to tighten its belt, the Government will pour money into the schemes abroad as part of a drive to help poor countries to develop green businesses.”

AID BUDGET BLOWN ON WIND FARMS – Express UK

3-And here I thought it was all about saving the world!  “Northern Power Systems of Barre, Vt., is anxious to start putting up wind turbines and turning a profit in Nova Scotia, as long as the price is right.”

Wind turbine maker eyes N.S. market – Chronicle Herald

4-“Politics drove this change. Not science,” he proclaimed. “(It was) a politically mandated outcome partially funded by groups with an interest in the outcome.”

Despite state’s goals, wind power is a tough sell – Wicked Local

5-“Poland has joined the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), while the UK has said it is thinking of leaving.”  Oh, that’s right … the UK is building windmills, too!

Nuclear Energy Agency welcomes Poland – World Nuclear News

6-“While he was mum on specifics, Baldacci said he wants to stay active working on energy …” Want to place a wager on what that means?

A conversation with outgoing Gov. John Baldacci – Bangor Daily News

Items of interest:

1-Excellent read from Robert Bradley, Jr.:

“Cuisinarts of the Air” (Revisiting an environmentalist term for windpower) – MasterResource

2-Now here’s a good idea:

Tell the Feds to stop funding industrial wind!! – Citizens’ Task Force on Wind Power – Maine

3-Fitting somehow … the pilgrims, after all, did come here on ships powered by the wind.  How long was the trip?

Wind tower plans spur opposition – Boston Globe

4-And we’re happy to help!

Blades of Death – Help Stop Wind Turbines in Northwest Ohio – BirdFreak

5-“In the unreasonable environmentalist fervor of the last few years, imbued by alarmism after alarmism, preposterous solutions like wind and solar have been offered, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that they cannot substitute fossil fuels for decades, if ever. It is not just the costs which, the only conceivable source, governments, can no longer afford; thermodynamics is simply prohibitive.  Corn-based ethanol has been an even more spectacularly silly idea.”

Ethanol from Coal, Natural Gas and Coke, not from Corn – Energy Tribune

Items of interest:

1-New video from the Allegheny Highlands Alliance folks will be posted today.  It is called “What We Expect From Commercial Electricity” and it’s Excellent!

2-Hmmm!  Maybe the good professor would like to meet Dr. Nina Pierpont, MD, PhD:  “Jonathan Miles, a James Madison University professor and founder of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative, said no scientific studies have concluded that turbines’ noise affects humans. The decibel level set in the ordinance is standard, he added.” You know what?  Maybe we can help make that introduction!  (h/t – VA Wind)

County OKs Wind Farm Rules – DNR Online (subscription)

3-There’s nothing better than a good plot, slightly thickened!  “The hottest topic of the meeting surrounded Plan Commission President David Schilling.  Schilling did not attend Wednesday’s meeting because he was prepared to abstain from voting.  His reasoning, he signed a lease agreement to rent his land to the Wind Captial Group back in June 2010.  However, he did not inform other board members of his potential conflict of interest until October 2010.  Board members and citizens agreed that Schilling created a conflict of interest and tainted the whole ordinance process.  Now they must start completely over.”

For Now, No Wind Farms In Whitley County – INC Now

4-Harry Reid’s plan to fund T. Boone Pickens and his traveling renewable show dies for lack of interest.

Reid Pulls Plug on Pickens Plan – CNBC

5-“Ontario electricity prices, already up 30% since 2003, are set to rocket over the next few years, propelled by some of the world’s most hare-brained green-energy policies.”

Ontario to bribe its ­power-shocked voters – Wind Concerns Ontario

Items of interest:

1-The Allegheny Highlands Alliance notes that the casual dismissal of the serious issue by Tasmanian Environment Minister David O’Byrne is more of the “Same old, more are killed by other processes,” and by no means consolation for industrial wind’s killing of endangered species.

Deaths of rare eagles rises – National Wind Watch

2-Superb post! “My name is Don Smith. I am a native Mainer and I am 82 years old. I am a veteran and a grandfather. I was arrested and charged with criminal trespass at the Rollins Mt. wind project site in Lincoln on November 8.”

Why I Chose to be Arrested at Rollins Mountain – Grumbles and Grins

3-“High levels of low frequency noise (LFN) are produced and can be measured at wind turbine developments according to Richard James INCE, acoustics specialist from Michigan.”

WIND TURBINES LINKED TO “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME” – THE SOCIETY FOR WIND VIGILANCE

4-And now, from the parallel universe known as the Energy Department:  “The top U.S. official on energy policy says China should allow American companies to qualify for subsidies Beijing offers for renewable energy projects.”  Here’s a thought … how about stopping all subsidies instead of crawling onto another free ride?

US Tells China Fairness Needed in Green Energy Industry – Voice of America

5-“Can nuclear power plants create jobs?  You bet they can.”

How Nuclear Energy Manufacturing Can Create Jobs and Keep Us Safe – American Manufacturing

Items of interest:

1-Here’s a good way to kick off today:

Finland’s nuclear waste bunker built to last 100,000 years – CNN

2-New Jersey considers set back for wind turbines (h/t to Allegheny Highlands Alliance). According to No Turbine, the bill has been moved to committee:

Lawmakers back wind turbine bill – APP

Here’s the proposed legislation – http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S2500/2374_I1.PDF

No Turbine is a great spot to stop, by the way!

3-One official at a time – “Building wind farms is not the answer to our energy needs and the whole industry is a con.”

WIND FARM FOLLY – Euro MP Paul Nuttall

4-In the UK, this is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (as opposed to CO2, which is necessary to life on this planet).  Some good advice as we enter the heating season here in the US.

Reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning over winter – Health Protection Agency (UK)

5-“Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.”

Sierra Club rushes support for wind project – Roanoke Times Op-Ed (via – VA Wind)

Items of interest:

1-“Even with those subsidies, wind remains more expensive per kilowatt hour than power generated by coal and natural gas.”

In the Spotlight: Fuel for thought as energy policy takes pricey turn – PJStar

2-Yes, I know we mentioned it before, but- Russia and Venezuela have been discussing nuclear energy for about eight years. Iran is another country with links to Venezuela’s nuclear development through geophysical surveys for uranium. Commenting, Chavez said: “We have not yet signed a single final agreement, but we are moving in that direction.”

Russia Helps Venezuela Go Nuclear – Australia.to

3-On the other hand, “If approved, the plant could house up to six small reactors – each with the ability to produce 125 megawatts of electricity – and would be the first modular nuclear facility built in the United States.”

Modular reactor plan worth pursuing – knoxnews

4-“The federal government is seeking bids from energy companies to develop wind farms off the coasts of Delaware and Maryland.  Virginia should be next, according to Maureen Matsen, the state’s deputy secretary of natural resources.”

Virginia next in line for wind farms? – Daily Press

5-A must read from Lisa Linowes – “It’s time Capitol Hill took a hard look at the renewables feeding frenzy now underway and adopt policies that are best for us as a Country.”

Government Gluttony at the American Wind Energy Association (Summers/Browner/Klain memo indicates growing ‘wind fatigue’) – MasterResource

6-“Even with federal subsidies, the wind industry can’t compete with low natural gas prices.”

Surprising Abundance of Natural Gas Stalls Alternative Energy Projects – Gas and Oil News

Items of interest:

1-And if you actually believed the environment had much to do with GE buying 25,000 electric cars:

GE Buys Volts, Taxpayers Get Charged – NRO

You may find this interesting, as well:

Obama’s Electric Vehicle Fetish – Robert Bryce

2-This should be interesting, especially since 20 of the 37 wind turbines are already up.

Windmill project suspended due to substandard materials – WKTV

3-Wait … didn’t the President and dozens of folks just visit India to promote US goods?  Oh, well!  I suppose if you dug enough into the renewable web, you’d find that US Stimulus funds are somehow in the mix.  Is that considered US content?

Vestas to supply wind turbines for Tuppadahalli Wind Farm project in India – IStockAnalyst

4-Oh!  And while we’re on subsidies, (we were, weren’t we?) … here’s a reminder:

Wind subsidies aren’t working, they’re just subsidizing big business – Washington Examiner

5-Here’s a pitch from the Natural Gas side:

Natural Gas is the Common Ground – True Blue Natural Gas

6-WOW!  “California seems intent on traveling a road to self-destruction paved with government mandates and regulations that drive businesses and jobs out of state while discouraging new job creation.  A prime job-killing, business-punishing scheme is the insistence on achieving radical environmental goals, despite their real-world economic liabilities.”

Our View: Air board’s arrogance damaging – Appeal Democrat

Items of interest:

1-Remember this from Russia’s soon to be (again) leader?  Putin: “Nuclear energy only alternative to oil, gas.” Rejects other alternative energy approaches as “claptrap.” That doesn’t mean they’re not willing to build and sell the “claptrap” to you if you insist.

Russia plans to build wind farms in Europe, Turkey – Reuters

2-OUCH! “In accordance with our long term investment management style, we would prefer to remain invested in an alternative energy company such as Gamesa,” said John Harrington, President and CEO of Harrington Investments. “However, we have a fiduciary duty to our clients to screen companies that not only show a strong commitment to their communities, but also invest in companies that respond to shareholder concerns, both of which Gamesa failed to do.”

Harrington and Everest Divest From Wind Turbine Manufacturer Gamesa – News Blaze

3-“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is finalizing new rules allowing the destruction of wetlands and streams and ocean floor to accommodate renewable power facilities, according to a document posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).”  (h/t Allegheny Highlands Alliance)

BIG WETLANDS LOSSES PLOTTED FOR GREEN POWER – PEER

For additional information on this important topic:

See the Corps draft new Nationwide Permits

Look at continuing loss of wetlands due to regulatory failure

Review environmental controversy surrounding Cape Wind

4-Surprise! Surprise! … no reply from the Chancellor to this letter:

University of Maryland must insist wind developer partner will protect endangered species.