Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 10/10/2010 5:42:37 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Amid the maelstrom of controversy over the nation’s first offshore wind farm, one truth is as plain as the proposed 440-foot turbines in Nantucket Sound are tall: Its energy will be very expensive.
That’s not just compared with power from coal and natural gas, but with renewable power from other sources.
Once the 130 turbines begin rotating, the energy produced will cost up to 50 percent more than energy today from some land-based wind farms and twice as much as some hydroelectric dams. The cost will increase customers’ monthly electric bills about 2 percent, and for many that is too steep in tough economic times.
So if Cape Wind is such a pricey proposition, why is it being built at all?
The answer lies at the intersection of a tenacious clean energy entrepreneur’s vision and an ambitious governor’s green one.
The arresting idea of a new energy source for power-starved New England was seized upon by Deval Patrick during his gubernatorial campaign. Then, after he won election in 2006, his administration helped engineer a sweeping overhaul of state policies that eased the path for the controversial proposal. Patrick and his energy czar, Ian Bowles, saw Cape Wind as just the project to spark a massive expansion of the renewable energy industry in Massachusetts.
They were focused on making Cape Wind happen; they didn’t worry nearly as much about the cost, a Globe review of state documents shows.
...
Now, after a new analysis by the attorney general’s office placed the cost of building Cape Wind at more than $2.5 billion, 2 1/2 times the original estimated price tag, the state Department of Public Utilities is weighing whether National Grid’s proposed 15-year contract with Cape Wind is a good deal for ratepapers.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
global warming ping
It must go forward even if it's not needed and costs too much.
I’m not aware of the particulars, but this project seems especially problematic. Getting the power to shore has to be more difficult than land-based wind turbines. Also, as anyone who lives near the ocean can tell you, there’s a much greater problem with corrosion. Aren’t wind turbines high maintenance to start with? Of course, why worry about cost when one has government (aka taxpayers) footing the bills.
“It must go forward even if it’s not needed and costs too much. “
I agree - this could be a VERY IMPORTANT lesson to the rest of the country. People are still being brainwashed to believe that you can have your green power for the same cost as ‘dirty’ power. Let them learn!!!
When a leftie is against something, a 2% increase is a BFD! When they support something, no amount of increased expense is TOO BIG!
“Of course, why worry about cost when one has government (aka taxpayers) footing the bills.”
The price structure is interesting. Essentially, the turbines can charge as much as their ‘cost’ is (plus markup) and get paid that. Wouldn’t you love to have a customer like that? You could pay your workers ANYTHING. Hire your sister as a major contractor...the list goes on and on. It’s amazing and comical, so this project really needs to continue. I also hope the eyesores for those rich people put there also turn into earsores when there is on-shore wind. LOL.
I think Teddy had the proposed site repositioned so that the turbines couldn’t be seen from shore.
A project like this hurts us all. It is federal money that is supporting this. It should be stopped all of them. If you want a whirligig making your electricity, fine pay for it your damn self. Not with my money! I’ll take the cheap stuff, that built the greatest country that ever has existed, coal, hot and cheap.
“....and twice as much as some hydroelectric dams.”
...more hydro-electric power I say...
1.we know how to do it
2.it’s lakes provide recreational opportunities for the public.
3.it’s lakes provide a source of drinking water for our cities.
4.it’s lakes offer vacation home opportunities...who doesn’t enjoy relaxing for a weekend at a cabin on the lake?
If we built a large enough magnet at the Straits of Florida (something that is now feasible with carbon nano tubes) we could use magnetohydrodynamics to obtain enough electric power for the entire world for many years.
If we could put up a really neat kite/balloon somewhere over Alaska we could tap right into the magnetosphere and provide sufficient electric power to develop Northern Canada while also powering up the Lower 48.
If we......... built atomic power plants .................
Did you see any windmills in that ?
No you didn't. That's because "per kilowatt hour" windmills are too costly compared to any one of those proposals.
Aren’t wind turbines high maintenance to start with? Of course, why worry about cost when one has government (aka taxpayers) footing the bills.
These are the green jobs. Doubtless the salaries will originate with the government, even though they are likely to be issued to the workers by the turbine companies.
The son of friends is currently in school to become a wind turbine technician. He is there because he sees no chance for a return to carpentry and contracting.
In speaking with him, he mentioned that the wind turbines are being built “in Europe, because it is cheaper.”
After we questioned how that could be, given currency exchange rates and the cost of transport,not to mention all the income guarantees and unions involved, he looked puzzled, but not yet doubting. He did say that American companies are “working hard to get their hands into the turbine construction field. (Aside: we know an engineer whose company already does this. He is becoming more and more worried about his own position surviving.)
The young man quoted an astronomical figure for the number of land-based turbine techs that will be needed and he is confident that he will be able to become a supervisor eventually, as the hordes continue taking this training and will, of course, all become workers and continue in those positions, needing experienced supervision. He and his classmates are counting on the proposed Lake Michigan wind farms as a source of continuing employment, as well.
He’s in his late 20s and is a good guy in every way. We didn’t push our POV because we just didn’t want to argue with him at that point. That is mainly because he is finishing our roofing after my husband injured himself and we don’t need to antagonize him.
My dentist has erected two whirlygigs in his parking lot. They’re about 40 feet tall, with three vertical blades. Annoying.
And New Jersey is getting read for it’s own Big Dig.
Also known as the Rail Tunnel.
Christie figures that if it’s gummint money it’s A OK.
Faced with these ridiculous arguments, I tended to be for it. Discussions of cost were hidden until after Deval Patrick persuaded the administration to push through the necessary waivers for the project. As information on the heretofore undiscussed costs and various sweet deals leaked out, my opinion changed. What I don't get is this: Why weren't these out front from the very beginning? Why were all the opponents to this project fighting it on moonbat grounds? They could have mobilized a lot more of the sane public opinion on economic grounds.
......Why weren’t these out front from the very beginning?....
Because money, that is costs, are not a consideration. Free Electricity from the wind with no carbon emissions is all that matters. (and, Denmark has them)
The cost of generating electricity is 50% more, but the customer’s bill will only rise 2%????
How is that possible? Its not like the cost of power is a small insignificant factor in the utility business?
Something stinks.
“The cost will increase customers’ monthly electric bills about 2 percent, and for many that is too steep in tough economic times. “
Just another emotional liberal viewpoint another pinhead that can’t do math.
Simple put: 2% of a $100 utility bill is $2. Of a $400 utility bill: $8.
Most of the New England public is terminally stupid. Anyone from the region with half a brain has by now moved to Texas.
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