Voices--and Potatoes--in Common

We here in Maine have something in common with our neighbors to the west, in Idaho.

We are both northern states.

We both have low density populations.

We both claim potatoes as a major product/export (I dare say ours might have a slight edge, but I'll not disparage those spuds 'from away'. They're quite delicious, too!).

:o)

AND-- we are both inhabited by no-nonsense folks who dare to ask questions when something doesn't seem to quite... add...up.

The photo above is another advertisement which was run this week in Idaho publications. Bear in mind... this is from Idaho Power Company! Below is the text of the ad:
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Something is missing from the conversation about energy.

For nearly a century, Idaho Power has been committed to clean energy. Today, about half the energy in our portfolio is generated from hydro, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. We are proud of our small carbon footprint and a history of responsible energy that rivals any electric utility in the nation.

How Do You Make Wind Energy Seem Less Expensive?

When special interest groups and wind developers talk about the cost of wind energy, remember that the profits go into their pockets, while the costs come from your pockets. To arrive at their numbers, developers have to resort to the fiction that their wind machines produce energy at the very same rate as more traditional sources like hydro or gas.

But we all know the wind doesn’t blow all the time. By law, electric utilities have to provide fair-priced electricity on a 24/7 basis so, for every megawatt of intermittent energy on the system, additional capacity is needed that’s ready to deploy the moment the wind stops blowing.

In the simplest of terms, special interest groups and wind developers are asking you to pay more for a less reliable product. And that just isn’t right.

Sensible. Dependable. Responsible. It’s the right thing.
getpluggedin.com
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Just imagine what it would be like if Central Maine Power Company or Bangor Hydro were raising these same issues. Imagine if they were demanding common sense answers!

Write to your electric company today. Write to your Legislators today.

It's time to put a stop to this foolishness.

Wind. It's expensive. It's unreliable. It's intermittent. It's not 'green'. It causes health problems when sited too close to dwellings. It causes loss of value to real estate within 2 miles. It kills raptors, migratory birds, and bats. It's not able to be stored. And don't forget: it's expensive, unreliable, intermittent and unable to be stored.

Grid-scale wind energy is a fool's plan. Let's take a cue from our friends in Idaho. Let's not be taken for fools.