Not enough wind turbines. Should the government get involved?

[iconoclastNYC]

Wind Power is now cheaper than power generated from oil or gas. Great right? Let's install more wind power!

The problem? GE and the other manufacturers can't meet demand. If you want a utility scale wind turbine you'll have to wait until 2008 for delivery.

Since electricity is a vital to our economy and our national security shouldn't the government step in and offer to help these companies build new factories?

Some will say that the government shouldn't meddle with the private market but in this case the private market can't keep up with demand. What is the harm in the government saying : we want to help you build up production capacity, here are some no-interest loans that you can use for building a new plant in the USA.

This would mean more good paying jobs in the USA, cheaper, cleaner power and bigger profits for the turbine manufacturers....It just seems like a total win-win for everyone involved.

The only losers are free market fundamentalists ideologues, people like CATO and the Ayn Rand institute.

Isn't it time we leverage the power of community (the government) to tackle problems that the private market have failed to solve?

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I'm pretty sure that wind turbines weren't a subject for discussion

and Cheney's energy meeting. If it doesn't benefit the oil companies, the government won't get involved.

[espera17]

6. common sense

the idiotic oil companies should be diversifying their energy portfolio, considering that oil is a nonrenewable resource. you would think oil companies would want to be smart.

here's my plug: http://electionpredictions.blogspot.com

[BrklynLiberal]

2. but, but, but!! None of Bushies' cronies will make $$ off that!!!!!!

[yurbud]

3. you only make money building, not fueling, and if you charge too much

for the electricity you produce, people might put up a windmill or solar panel of their own in their backyard. That's why they like nuke, oil, and coal. They require an expensive infrastructure and therefore can be monopolized and bottlenecked.

Wind, small scale hydro, and solar can't.

[nancyharris]

4. You might want to check out the stories

on attempts to get wind power generators on Cape Cod.

http://www.capecodonline.com/special/windfarm/

[iconoclastNYC]

5. That's a little complicated.

Site concerns are an issue but as it stands now if you have a site (say on a farm in the middle of nowhere) where there is no local opposition you still have to wait til 2008 to source your turbines.

Private Industry can not keep up with demand. We the people should lobby our government to do something to eliminate this bottle neck...our future depends on it.