From Clark BreDahl
Greenfield
“For example, on wind energy, we get a tax credit if we build a lot of wind farms. That’s the only reason to build them. They don’t make sense without the tax credit.” – Warren Buffet, 2014
Alliant Energy wants a rate increase to fund an expansion of its “green” energy initiatives. Wind energy is green only from the color of money being sucked out of rate payer and taxpayer pockets into the coffers of wealthy investors, both foreign and domestic.
Even with taxpayers already offsetting most of the construction cost, wind energy can’t pay its own way, and now, as Union County residents are about to find out, rates are going up. Most unbiased studies indicate rates will continue to rise because of wind’s unreliability.
Whereas, most forms of conventional electrical generation continue to become cleaner and more efficient, wind is as efficient as it will ever get because we can’t control when or how much the wind will blow, and we can’t store the excess energy generated. Sadly, wind is also by far the most environmentally destructive form of energy generation and is turning vast areas of once beautiful rural Iowa and America into places no one wants to live. People reside next to the huge turbines because they have to, not because they want to.
Proponents frequently promote wind energy as economic development. Actually, it is just the opposite. Almost without exception, counties in Iowa with the most wind turbines are among those losing population the fastest – and it is people who drive economic development – not government subsidized monopolies that can’t stand on their own.
Union County has a proud agricultural heritage, and in recent years has made excellent progress in turning the area into an important outdoor recreation destination. It would be a shame to see wind turbines bust that bubble – or even a single hot air balloon!
“This is your country. Cherish the natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage – for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” – Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States