The Politics And Potential Of Wind Power
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-16/politics-and-potential-wind-power
The role of subsidies for wind energy has become a hot-button issue in the presidential campaign. Governor Romney opposes extending tax credits for the wind industry. President Obama has re-doubled his commitment to them. In a rare show of bipartisanship last week, the Senate Finance Committee voted to extend the credits for another year. The debate over their fate will likely surface again in the fall. Supporters of the extension argue all major sources of energy have received federal help. Opponents say it’s time to let the free market take over. Diane her guests discuss the politics the future of wind energy in the U.S.
Guests
Coral Davenport
energy and environment correspondent for National Journal.
Denise Bode
chief executive officer of the American Wind Energy Association.
Daniel Simmons
director of regulatory and state affairs at the Institute for Energy Research.
John Gimigliano
principal-in-charge of KPMG’s Energy Sustainability Tax practice and former senior tax counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Comments
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Every flat roof in the USA should be required to produce solar energy before we contemplate another fossil fuel power plant or nuclear power plant.
I call "shenanigans" on the gentlemen regarding the disclosure of contributors to the Institute of Energy Research. If I could find that information on the internet, those contributors are not anonymous.
Rebublicans are pursuing an old agenda. The rules of the World have changed and they are digging holes in the sand just to appeal to those that are afraid to follow other countries' lead.
Isn't Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, the owner of the largest number of wind generators? At the May annual meeting of Berkshire, Buffett was asked whether windpower would be profitable without federal subsidies and he said "no". Republican Senator Grassley, who champions wind energy, was also the early sponsor of the ethanol subsidy which was supposed to be a "temporary" subsidy to get the industry off the ground 40 years ago and now takes one third of our corn crop and looks as though it will never end its need for taxpayer funds.
Nothing is ever done for the greater good anymore. few want to sacrifice oh well
Why do our conversations in the US rarely talk about what other countries are doing? This may be our largest problem, left or right!
Oil is subsidized by military expenditure, blood and treasure.
Infrasound is sound energy under 20 hertz, which is typically below the range of human hearing.
This debate perfectly shows how corrupted American politics is. Anyone who screams we need to stop giving subsidies to "green" energy is also mortally guilty of the heinous crime of supporting traditional pollution generating energy like Oil and Coal (not to mention the local and word conflicts such support creates).
It is an undisputed fact that Republican policies of the "status que" of supporting ancient industries has seriously undermined American sovereignty (despite what they say), allowing several countries gain powerful influences over American policy (the notion by Republican of American free will is a very, very dark joke).
It is also an undisputed fact some Democratic energy policies are shortsighted simply to earn political brownie points.
Meanwhile in other countries they have incredible success in renewable energy programs. Germany able to shift so much generation to replace nuclear power, and Japan after an incredible nuclear disaster to almost compensate with smart energy usage and new ways to generate, as well as programs to install solar panels on all the buildings.
I also agree with posting we need more energy efficient houses.
These petty political posturing is embarrassing, makes the "worlds biggest economy" the "worlds biggest idiot".
(accidental duplicate posting)
I'd rather my taxes go to this than to Exxon Mobil or Boeing!
Our transmission system is aging - most lines are over 40 years old. As we replace an aging infrastructure - we have a choice to make - do we want a clean energy future or will we continue business as usual?
oil companies are often parts of energy co.s.... which might be thought of as parts of banks.
A caller brought up "Infrasound". It is generally inaudible sound with a frequency of <20 Hz. NIH released a report in the possible health effects several years ago: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Infrasound.pdf
This appears to be a site concerning the potential adverse health effects of wind turbines.
http://www.windvigilance.com/
With the certainty of global warming, we do not fully understand the enormous subsidies the the current use of oil, coal and gas will require. Right now we are in the worst drought in 50 years, Katrina gave us a glimpse of potential weather related costs, and we subsidize oil and gas with defense dollars and wars. Please discuss these items
The perfect place to put wind mills is in the median strip of our interstates. Short access roads, small increase in noise and public awareness are 3 of the benefits...
Renewable energy tax credits are a wise use of public funds that ultimately get returned to tax payers through the domestic economy.
There is no “free market” for energy. Society must choose consciously which energy sources in which to invest. Leaving us vulnerable to the free market means leaving us vulnerable to foreign, price-fixing cartels whose interests run diametrically opposed to U.S. energy security.
This is definitely true for petroleum. Coal and natural gas industries claim there are domestic supplies that will last for decades, but they don’t answer what we will do for energy when those supplies are exhausted or how we deal with the environmental problems of more fossil fuel extraction.
Purveyoers of fossil energy do not produce a sustainable product. They find fossilized carbon in the ground and sell it at a profit, never taking responsibility for the environmental consequences. When the sources of fossil fuel are gone, they simply walk away with the profits leaving us addicted. Pumping fossil carbon into our atmosphere is dirupting important natural balances which will cost us far more than what we pay at the pump for oil, natural gas, or coal.
Diversified sources of energy, including renewables is absolutely necessary. Tax credits provide an affordable way to make that diversification a reality.
Holland built one of the most powerful empires in history based on windmills. reference "Bad Money" Kevin Phillips.
A big compliment to Diane Rehm! This is not only a very important show, but it is extremely informative. Diane Rehm has asked probative and investigative questions that others have not asked...she has not let any guest off the hook. Coral Davenport has explained energy basics A-Z, as necessary. Thanks!
Joe Kudrna wrote:
"It is an undisputed fact that Republican policies of the "status que" of supporting ancient industries has seriously undermined American sovereignty (despite what they say), allowing several countries gain powerful influences over American policy (the notion by Republican of American free will is a very, very dark joke).
It is also an undisputed fact some Democratic energy policies are shortsighted simply to earn political brownie points."
Actually those would qualify as "undisputed" opinions.
If you would like to support renewable energy, read these tips on buying renewable energy credits through your utility (or another provider):
http://www.earthshare.org/2012/04/gorenewabletips.html
Yes. There are multiple solutions to intricate problems.
thanks for these stats.
Thank you for the topic.
Has anyone not know about the " Butterfly Effect" yet.
We can go on lying about the Wind Industry.
But the distructive "effects" of the industry has already been felt and we continue to feel.
One of the caller was right on the target....you have just discussed the real side of the issue; the human toll.
Politics and taxes are not the issue.
Explain the unusual patterns of tornadoes, hurricanes, and typhoons.
Thank you.
It seems there are 2 ways to reduce carbon emissions through the tax code. Through carrots or subsidies like the PTC, and through sticks or higher taxes on carbon fuels.
My understanding is that a carbon tax is more effective at reducing carbon because it applies to all sectors of the economy. But I think targeted subsidies are necessary too.
Ask your representative to support Pete Stark's "Save Our Climate Act" (HR 3242), which is a carbon tax bill (fee and dividend):
https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr3242
Eminent Domain, is being used on the Keystone XL permits. No regard for the public`s safety risks,or environmental impact,as long as it`s big oil. The picture of a windmill spoiling the beautiful scenery is not nearly as offensive as the picture of the mountains that have been leveled,to get at coal.
Infrasound is sound at a frequency ~below~ what humans normally hear. In the way "ultrasound" occurs at higher frequencies, "infrasound" occurs at lower frequencies, typically below twenty cycles per second, or below 20 hertz (20hZ).
Elephants and whales are known to use these frequencies to communicate. Humans are exposed to them naturally, from waves crashing offshore, or earthquakes -- however, large machines such as wind towers produce much more constant infrasound, often at very high amplitude (or energy).
It's a fascinating subject; infrasound may pose dangers to mammals like ourselves. An intriguing (at times lyrical) explanation: http://www.deafwhale.com/why_whales_beach/infrasound.htm
Development of wind power is essential to our survival, in many ways. However, at the scale now seen, these installations are "heavy industry," which we generally understand to be incompatible with residential uses.
The health of the planet (our human spaceship), the enviroment, wilderness and wildlife protection are my major issues above all else. (No candidate has made this his top priority.) I'm surprised more callers don't express this. Wind energy and all forms of renewable energy are designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which is a major contributor of substantially human-caused global warming -- a scientific realty. Therefore, if our commitment as a nation is to the long-term health of the planet, reneweables should receive maximum governmental and public support as we transition away from dependence on fossil fuels which will eventually run out. We need to be more forward-looking as a society. Aside from the issue of tax credits for wind energy, each one of us needs to make a personal commitment to conserving energy which yields financial as well as enviromental benefits.
I live in a town with a major military air base where we recently had a navy jet crash into some apartments in a residential area. I'm subjected to daily decibel levels that often exceed the legal limit from overhead jets/aircraft that continuously interrupt all other sounds including conversations, phone calls, radio or any other ordinary daily sounds. Yet, despite the annoyance many local inhabitants display bumper stickers declaring " I Love (heart image) Jet Noise" presumably to show their "patriotic" support of our military and its efforts. So when I hear someone griping about the sounds of a wind turbine whose purpose is to offer a sustainable alternative to our filthy addiction to fossil fuels for the sake of energy independence and a healthier planet, I have to say; REALLY?!! I HEART TURBINE NOISE! Aaaand if you think that's bad, wait till they start FRACKING in your neighborhood! Jeeez, give me a break.