Posted on 03/06/2017 9:07:51 AM PST by rktman
A tax reform plan drafted in part by incoming Trump administration Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin bodes poorly for wind industry lobbies hoping once again to extend current federal production tax credits (PTCs) which are set to expire by 2021.
Now set at 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, the original subsidy intent was to "level the energy market playing field" by stimulating technology development to achieve competitive costs, reduce fossil fuel "climate pollution," and advance American energy independence.
None of these goals are really any closer to realization now than when these subsidies were first enacted in 1992.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
There should be no federal subsidies for anything. If a product or service cannot survive in a free marketplace, it does not warrant taxpayer support.
6. Because subsidies fool stupid, know-nothing liberals into believing that wind and solar power are cost effective and capable of generating enough power to replace oil, coal and nuclear power.
I have a feeling most of these monstrosities will disappear in 50 years.
There will be nostalgia, but no turbines.
Rooftop solar has staying power, but these things are for certain areas where there is strong steady wind, not all over.
They should never have been renewed, the wind industry was prepared for the permanent loss of subsidies and is able to provide power at competitive rates with out it. I follow this industry and know this for a fact, just check the AWEA if you doubt it.
But not “needing” free money is no reason not to ask for it, and so they did, and got an extension. Ask your congressman why, but don’t blame the industry for asking.
Sorry for your sadness. Birds die, more birds are born. The wind industry is adopting technologies that mitigate bird losses, but save some tears for the fish that are killed in hydroelectric dams and all the critters that are affected by coal mining and oil and gas as well.
OMG! Not the delta smelt. I shall remain morose the rest of the day. Or not. ;-)
Eliminate the subsidies. The free market will decide what survives and what doesn’t. And our national economy will become more efficient accordingly.
Definition of a subsidy: It’s such a weak and poorly-conceived idea, only taxpayer money can keep it alive.
Home solar panels are on the roof and need to be cleaned frequently so they work at rated efficiency. You can’t walk on them. How long can you go up on the roof every two weeks before you fall off? Broken bones and ruptured organs cost a thousand times more than the electricity costs you save. And what you save is offset by purchase and installation costs. And do you really want to invest thousands in a system hyped to last twenty years, when new advances will render it obsolete in 5 years.
No reason for these “renewables” to be allowed to kill birds that could land the average citizen in jail,fined,or both. If they can’t make it without a subsidy,they have no reason to exist.
Build turbines in DC and watch them power the whole country.
Wind subsidies were kickbacks to the democratic party, using taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
Whenever the subject of windmills comes up I say that I expect to live long enough to see them being dismantled.
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