Wednesday, March 14, 2012

US Senate To End Wind Subsidies

Even the two Wyoming senators, in whose state there are significant wind energy projects being proposed / developed, voted against extending wind energy subsidies. Link here.
Neither of Wyoming’s senators — both Republicans — voted for the amendment, which helps offset the cost of electricity production during a wind farm’s first 10 years.

Spokespeople for both Sen. John Barrasso and Sen. Mike Enzi emphasize the cost of the tax credit to the national debt and the tax break’s support for what Barrasso spokeswoman Laura Mengelkamp called “projects of questionable value.”

“The Stabenow amendment would have added $11.7 billion over 10 years to the deficit and reinstated problematic programs that had expired,” Enzi spokesman Dan Head said.
And from the St Paul Pioneer Press, February 24, 2012 (the link may or may not work; the full article is archived at the source, and a subscription is required and/or purchase required)
Wind farm blocked by fears for eagles, bats Regulators deny plan for sprawling project in Goodhue County 

Concerns over killing bald eagles and insect-eating bats might have derailed plans for a 78-megawatt wind farm in rural Goodhue County. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday denied a plan submitted by AWA Goodhue Wind Project to monitor and protect the eagles and bats around the proposed 32,700-acre wind farm site in southeast Minnesota. The project involves building 50 turbines in an area that includes the Mississippi Flyway, a wide corridor used by migrating birds....
This may or may not refer to the story I posted on December 19, 2011, at this link, but I hope so. 

2 comments:

  1. Bravo for their no votes.

    The unity of the bird lobby is having some effect. The Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle and Whooping Cranes and their lobbyist are showing some muscle. Way to go birds.

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    Replies
    1. I've updated the original post with a story from Minnesota, along the same lines. Some sanity at last.

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