Wind energy ban is jobs killer

[Fledermaus]

A special session bill proposed by Gov. Scott Walker includes many provisions that could hurt Wisconsin's economy and environment, but one of the most perplexing proposals in the package is a new regulation that would effectively ban wind energy projects in Wisconsin.

The regulatory reform bill proposed by Walker would close Wisconsin's doors to clean, renewable wind power and cost our state thousands of jobs. State legislators - who were elected on the promise of job creation and economic recovery - should reject the bill.

The bill creates regulations that effectively prohibit wind energy developers from constructing a wind turbine within 1,800 feet of the nearest property line. If approved, the law will make siting a wind farm so difficult that no wind developer will even bother trying, especially when Illinois and Iowa are waiting with open arms, having no setback provision at all.

The bill will immediately jeopardize 11 proposed wind projects that are set to create hundreds of jobs and undoubtedly many others in the planning stages.

Beyond killing current projects, the law would ensure that no new wind development companies or wind turbine manufacturers locate in Wisconsin and would result in the loss of thousands more jobs constructing and maintaining wind turbines.

Wind energy production is one of the world's fastest-growing industries. In 2010, the industry employed over 85,000 people nationally. In Wisconsin, the wind industry supports thousands of jobs at businesses such as Tower Tech in Manitowoc and Renewegy in Oshkosh. Both companies produce parts for wind turbines. Tower Tech produced its first turbine in 2005 and employs over 250 people at its plant, offering competitive wages and good benefits.

By effectively banning wind energy construction in the state, the law would leave manufacturing companies such as Tower Tech with far less incentive to develop in Wisconsin.

These more restrictive regulations would replace rules that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission recently approved after two years of study, six rounds of public comments and input from all major stakeholder groups.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/114165379.html

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. It will piss off liberals.

That's the only question you ask when a policy proposal comes along: "Will this piss off liberals?" If the answer is 'yes', then you do it. Jobs be damned. Environment be damned. And you can win re-election, to boot. The little extra snicker that comes from being able to package this, probably with some environmentalist help, as an environmental move just makes it that much more fun.

Besides, by the time the water is more than about calf-deep in lower Wisconsin, Jesus will have come back. No problem.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Such a nice state. Such a dumb fuck of a governor.

[liberal N proud]

3. These republican governors seem to be anti jobs

Wisconsin killing High Speed Rail and now wind.
Ohio killing High Speed Rail.

Florida Governor may do the same.

[AndyTiedye]

5. And New Jersey's Gov. Cancelling a Rail Tunnel Already Under Construction

because real people always drive their cars into New York City. :wtf:

[kinsey]

13. energy and road and house efficient!?

yeah. I am not sure if people could even park in NYC if everyone own smart cars! Did you know that if everyone in the U.S. had a smart car it would free up 24,000 miles of road!? True.

Anyway, Green energy only makes sense! There are so many ways to greenify your own home, you might not even have to pay utilities at all! www.homeownersinsurance.org/utility-free-home-2
I also saw another blog with a guy who made a video on how to make your own heat generating solar panels out of recycles aluminum cans! There are so many things we can and should do and we need government support to get them done!

[NNadir]

4. It's the equivalent of banning, um, roads. Both wind and roads - often one in the same -

are at best, environmentally dubious practices in any case.

The kinds of jobs that make for a sane and safe world are productive jobs. Wind energy produces almost nothing, although in 20 years or so, it will certainly produce landfill jobs.

[madokie]

8. What an ill informed person you are

out of ignorance or stupidity, I'm not sure of which, possibly both.

I'm still hoping you're going to share some knowledge of the invention that you claimed early on on here that you invented of the molten salt reactor with us and some of the peer reviewed papers you're authored since you seem to act as if you're some kind of authority on nuclear, wind, solar and wave energy. Then maybe I can take what you write with something other than a grain of salt. Until then :rofl:

What kind of work do you do that you can do without the use of roads getting you there and back? Or is that too much to ask? Oh, btw, don't tell me that I wouldn't understand either.

have a great day otherwise, I plan too. :hug: and kisses

PS are you still writing your screeds on DKO's by any chance :-)

[jpak]

12. Nuclear power will produce landfill jobs for 250,000 years

yup

[FogerRox]

6. Hey Gov. Scott Walker - got coal?

[Enthusiast]

7. Republicans are against any

alternative energy projects because the profits don't generally go to their fossil fuel cronies.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. The large wind turbines are not good neighbors

The alternative is to buy/condemn properties to meet this mandate, which can easily be done.

[FBaggins]

10. Wisconsin is a pretty open state

Is an 1800 foot setback really that big a deal?

I suppose that it would be better to say 1800 from a home or other structure... but land isn't all that expensive in WI.

[txlibdem]

11. Par for the course. Repukes want no changes to the power structure

Healthcare
"We must make quality, affordable healthcare available to hardworking families through market-based solutions like competition, transparency, and tax incentives - not Canadian style programs that put bureaucrats in charge of personal health care decisions. You should be able to choose your doctor, not have government make that decision for you."

http://www.scottwalker.org/issues

Hey, the voters put this idiot in office. He wants to give you the freedom to choose... between having to cut your pills in half or just die. I don't want the government telling me not to cut my pills in half! (Or what brand of cat food to eat):sarcasm: