How Wishful Thinkers Are Forced To Reconnect With Energy Reality

IBD Editorials ^ | September 10, 2009 | PETER C. GLOVER AND MICHAEL ECONOMIDES

[Kaslin]

You couldn't make it up even if you tried: One day Energy Secretary Ed Milliband sets out his proposed expansion of the U.K.'s wind power-led alternative energy revolution; the next day, Vestas, the U.K.'s largest wind turbine manufacturer, shuts down a big part of its British operations citing "low demand" and public opposition to onshore wind farms.

Just bad luck or bad PR? Not quite. Simply another blatant example of the ongoing "disconnect" over energy between those suffering from WTS (Wishful Thinker Syndrome) and the hydrocarbon-fueled present and future energy realities.

In 2006, Germany's Angela Merkel was hailed as the "Green Chancellor" for promising to rid her country of coal and nuclear power in its bid to give a clean energy "world lead." Three years on and Merkel's government actively supports the construction of a new generation of 26 coal-fired power plants as well as keeping Germany's nuclear power stations open.

In addition she wants special protection for German heavy industry via free cap-and-trade permits. A powerful German industry, the need to remain competitive and a desire to work with the lights on all combined to help Ms. Merkel "reconnect."

[Kaslin]

[BOBTHENAILER]

IBD is killer. More common sense in these guys than in all of congress.

[FrdmLvr]

It’s that “free market” mind-set.

[Dr. Thorne]

There are some truly great "renewable" energy sources that beat the pants off of the idiotic wind (defeated by calm days and breakdowns) and solar (defeated by that thing called night as well as dust - they need a lot of Windex) technologies.

Geothermal and hydro power are great sources of energy that don't require those idiotic windmills desecrating the purple mountain majesties or miles of solar panels covering the fruited plain.

[expatpat]

You are correct, but unfortunately geothermal and hydroelectric sources are localized to a few limited spots.

[tbw2]

I watched a "mega-engineering" or "enormous engineering projects" show on History Channel. They were tearing out a dam in the Pacific Northwest because it was getting old and didn't have a good enough fish run. In Maine, one was torn down in the name of the fish, not even the engineering excuses. I'd like to see more natural gas drilling (because it's on our continental shelf, and better us than the Cubans selling it to the Chinese), develop methane hydrate, and start recycling nuclear fuel like the French and Japanese do. ObamaCare Jokes Obama Jokes

[Dr. Thorne]

I’m with you on the other sources as well. But, of the politically correct sources, I really like Geo and Hydro at least for the areas that have good access.

[SierraWasp]

Excellent!!! I just thought of the perfect person to ping this to for fundamental re-educational and rehabilitation purposes!!!

[SierraWasp]

I just LOVE it when a major investor oriented newspaper editorializes in ways that clear all the mysticism out of the minds of rational people that can actually read!!!

[Kevmo]

bmflr

[CPT Clay]

Boy you got this right.