Wind energy will cost more jobs than it creates
The Muskegon Chronicle, www.mlive.com 5 November 2010
The Muskegon Chronicle, www.mlive.com 5 November 2010
I oppose the push for wind energy as the solution for Michigan unemployment problems. The predicted jobs are based on a U.S. DOE study “20% Wind Energy by 2030,” using computer models based on a 2004 SIC code manufacturing data base.
These assumptions are unrealistic and flawed. Studies in Denmark, the U.K., Italy and the U.S. do not support any significant net job creation by wind energy.
Drastic increases in energy costs to consumers and businesses would cost our state jobs through business closures and out of state moves. Existing manufacturers, who will not benefit from subsidies and tax credits, should pay attention to the “rate rage” of citizens in Massachusetts regarding Cape Wind and the high electricity rates predicted. Californians, too, are voting on a measure to suspend their green energy mandates, called “job killers,” until their unemployment rate comes down.
Wind does not provide the entrepreneurial culture that is needed in Michigan for sustainable jobs, as advocated by economists recently at Michigan Chamber’s Future Forum.
Tourism is Michigan’s second largest industry. Should we spend millions of dollars to promote “Pure Michigan” while we industrialize our fresh water lakes with hundreds of wind turbines?
Wind energy will cost us more jobs than the few it creates.
Jane Eggebeen
Grand Haven
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/05/wind-energy-will-cost-more-jobs-than-it-creates/