Global Warming Hits Arizona -- January 28, 2015

Now, I'm a believer. No longer a denier.

Global Warming Hits Arizona

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Wind

I simply find this amazing - wind energy is still no profitable after tax credits since 1992 -- how many years is that? Twenty-three (23) years and the wind energy still needs tax credits to get developers to move forward on slicers, dicers, and eyesores. Breaking Energy is reporting:

The PTC, worth 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour of energy produced in the first 10 years of a wind turbine’s operation, was first enacted in 1992 and became a big driver for wind growth in in the 2000s, when state policies such as renewable portfolio standards began to align with the federal incentive. The most recent versions of the PTC have made projects “under construction” before the law’s expiration eligible.

The obfuscation is incredible (in bold):

The U.S. wind power industry said on Wednesday that it had a solid 2014, with 2,500 turbines capable of producing 4,850 megawatts put into operation, a big jump from 2013’s piddling gain of 1,098 MW. Plus, as the year drew to a close, nearly 100 projects totaling 12,700 MW were under construction. Pretty picture, right?

Maybe not.

“We worry about the industry going off the cliff again if we don’t get the Production Tax Credit extended as soon as possible,” said Tom Kiernan, who heads up the American Wind Energy Association.

U.S. wind walks an interesting line on the PTC, trumpeting that costs have plunged and made wind extraordinarily competitive, yet insisting that it needs the tax break to continue to grow. The glue that holds together that seemingly incoherent position is certainty – or lack thereof. The short-term nature of the PTC habitually leaves developers reacting to its coming and going, creating steep ramp-ups when it is in effect and, yes, cliffs when it expires.

I don't care one way or the other any more, now that Americans understand the issue (LOL).

Just don't put a wind turbine in my back yard. I think the transmission lines cause cancer.