Monday, October 10, 2011

Renewables -- Green Energy -- National Scandal -- Others Using That Phrase

A constant theme of this blog has been the need for a level playing field when discussing energy alternatives, and science-based decisions. Policy decisions at the federal level are fine if folks agree to level playing fields and science-based decisions.

Less than that, I consider alternative energy proposals bad business. In some cases a harsher word might be used. I don't know if I have used those harsher words, although I have often implied them.

But here is someone who has strong words for alternative energy policies based on uneven playing fields and myth-based decisions.
This cliché within a mixed metaphor reflects the madness of President Obama’s obsession with “green jobs.” It would be bad enough if this disaster were limited to possible criminality at Solyndra — the solar-panel maker that Obama stimulated with loan guarantees, despite repeated warnings about its rickety finances.

“The true engine of economic growth will always be companies like Solyndra,” Obama proclaimed at its Fremont, Calif., headquarters on May 26, 2010. Not quite. Solyndra’s August 31 bankruptcy transformed 1,100 green jobs into pink slips and marinated taxpayers in $527 million of red ink.

But many green-jobs programs that have not been raided by the FBI — as Solyndra was last September 8 — nonetheless are fiscally reckless enough to merit a five-alarm national scandal.

Consider these other green bankruptcies: Spectra-Watt (website today says it is in Chapter 11);  Evergreen Solar (wiki says it is in Chapter 11; Evergreen Solar's website fails to mention that on the first page, at least as far as I could tell), and Mountain Plaza (filed for Chapter 11 in 2010 and I can't find their website).  [While we are at it, we can add one closer to home: Genesis Poly, Mankato, MN, recycling silage bags and hay wraps; bankrupt within two months, $850,000 lot paid for by federal govt; $500,000 from city of Mankato.]
A very, very good editorial. It's nice to have company.
Every dollar that chases a money-losing windmill is a dollar that cannot fund Head Start.
And don't even get me started on the whooping crane killing is okay if its done by a windmill.

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