Proposal alarms small wind proponents
May 8, 2011 at 7:00 pm in West Central Tribune
WILLMAR A small amendment to an omnibus energy bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature is raising big concerns among renewable energy advocates in the region.
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Andrew Falk is once again more interested in representing his own interests and not the interests of the majority of the people in his district.
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To add to what you said Elton – a majority of the planet. Come on – this technology needs to move forward. Is the problem really “subsidizing” – if that’s the case – how about big oil?
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Falk was not elected to represent the “majority of the planet”. I really cannot believe you said that… Forcing companies to subsidize his business is wrong. Big oil? They should not be subsidized either. You really don’t get it do you Nora. Many of us do not want to pay the way for a comparatively small group of people getting wealthy off of wind energy. Feel free to pay for it yourself but don’t take my money for your pet projects.
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Sorry to burst your ideologically “pure” conservative bubble, Elton, but as long as we subsidize Big Oil we are going to help promote renewable energy such as wind power.
I know a group of about 10 very Republican farmers in Grant County who would vehemently disagree with your position, Elton. (owners of the Grant County Wind Farm)
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And they are all getting huge tax breaks(subsidies) as well as getting other rate payers to pay for their investment. Whether it is oil, solar, or wind, every investor in those sources of energy are getting a tax break or subsidy. Now if you want big oil subsidies to go away, don’t cry when gasoline becomes expensive and you remember the days of $3.95 gasoline. JMHO.
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I am far from a “pure” conservative Randy boy. In fact some conservatives have referred to me as a RINO because of my views.
I DO NOT SUPPORT SUBSIDIES for oil (big or small), BIG wind power, or 10 very Republican farmers in Grant County. In fact I’m willing to bet none of those supposed “very Republican farmers” would have invested in wind energy if it was not so heavily subsidized.
I do not care what happens to the price of oil if subsidies are taken away. Let the free market determine the price.
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While this is information is from 2007 put out by the DOE, you might get a view of what subsidies are being made for electricity. http://www.environmentaltrends.org/single/article/energy-subsidies-what-are-the-facts.html
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Just how long do we as humans hope to inhabit this planet? How arrogant are some of you thug Republicans to think we can just keep on keeping on, status quo, no need to look to the future and protect the human race?
Bob, do you think we can last 1,000 years doing what we did in the 20th century? (pollute, pollute, pollute)
How stupid are some of you people? It’s just mind-blowing crazy to think that we as humans can last another 1,000 years polluting our skies and waters as we have been in the last 100 years.
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R. O You ask how stupid Minnesotans are, I’ll answer, not near as STUPID as generalissimo ‘The Duce’, aka Dictator prez b o was in his job as President , when he called a police officer , earning his daily bread, “STUPID” when the Officer arrested prez b o ‘s drinking BUDDY.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Harold, again, how stupid are you? How long do you hope that humans inhabit Planet Earth? How long will we pump pollution from fossil fuels into the atmosphere? Another 100 years? 500 years?
I know you won’t answer any questions you are asked, you don’t have the capability to do that without inserting President Obama in your answers.
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Randy, I am not a thug, but someone with some common sense, when discussing an article. Tho, I guess that makes me a Republican. As far as stupidity, I think we all can share a little of that as some say we all have to be equal.
I am just as worried about the environment – probably as much as you are. What I don’t want to happen is to price the market for our energy needs completely out of the ability of the public to afford them. Lets take the practical approach to settle our plans for the environment, not the emotional rants of gloom and doom. And lets be honest with the facts in the plans we have and not base them on someone getting subsidies or getting rich off of someone else.
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You can always tell when Randy Olson knows he is on the losing side of an argument. The name calling and insulting of people he disagrees with begins…
It must really be sad to be so close minded Randy.
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“Thug Republicans” Name calling always helps a debate
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Wind power can only be profitable at this point if it is heavily subsidized. The left is ranting against subsidies for oil but the sky is the limit for wind energy. Power companies paying the retail price for what they have to sell at the retail price is ridiculous. Wind energy clearly costs too much to produce at this point and the country can’t afford to pay the cost right now, that’s the bottom line.
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The whole purpose behind subsidies is for the government to help a “good” industry get on their feet and take hold. Once profitable, the money needs to be weened away. It doesn’t often work the way its intended because these industries become too reliant on this money and lobbyists get in the way of the system. But for now, the wind program needs to be encouraged.
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How has it been determined that wind energy is “good” energy considering that “bad” energy must be used in the manufacture and maintainence of a system that, without subsidies may never pay it’s own way?
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its not coal or oil – those sources were great when they were new, but not we must move on.
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They are still great. There is nothing at this point that will replace them. There is no currently viable alternative to move on to.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
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Well you can’t burn wood or use electricity or gas to heat your home because by your definition you’ll be abusing fossil fuels. You’d better grab your bicycle or horse and buggy to travel. Oh yeah, methane gas from the horse, scratch that idea. I’d bet you’re not willing to throw away your car keys or freeze in the winter. Have fun.
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1st – wood is renewable, it doesn’t come from underground.
2nd – electricity can come from the wind this article is referring to. And then there’s solar and hydro etc.
3rd – there are new technologies that could be encouraged (science stuff – maybe too much for you) but takes the role of government to implement. Yes, government began paying subsidies to aid in oil exploration and processing. Now new technology needs to be encouraged.
Lastly, I am willing to drive slower and combine errands so I don’t have to make so many trips and I don’t let my car idle. You are probably the guy at the stop light who needs to “win” when the light turns green….burn it up dip****! Who cares about the future – live for the moment!
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“burn it up dip****”
Why are people like you always so rude?
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Nora, burning wood produces a lot of carbon dioxide so it doesn’t matter if it’s renewable or not.
You want to dam up more rivers for hydro power. Good luck with that plan.
It takes about 400 kilowatt hours of electricity to produce a short ton of steel using an electric arc furnace. In the US from 2006 to 2010 about 650,000 tons of steel was used to manufacture wind turbines. I’ve got a good idea it’s going to take a while to show a positive in electricity generated.
I know I’m not smart enough to figure this stuff out but I don’t think I care to leave it up to you.
Meanwhile, I’m sitting at the stoplight alongside some old bat in a Volt and I’m having a bout of restless leg syndrome.
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