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Will wind lower electric rates?
Credit: The Daily Advance, www.dailyadvance.com 17 May 2011 ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
I have been following the plans to build wind turbine farms in our area. I have yet to see how much silver will have to cross the palms of the contractors to get them built.
I offer a quick reminder about our electric costs: When my wife and I first came to visit Elizabeth City in May 2008, to see if we liked the area, we were warned by the Chamber of Commerce not to buy property in the city. The lady told us the electric rates in the city and the city taxes made city living much less affordable.
Today, in The Daily Advance, I read that the “free fuel,” meaning air, is such a wonderful thing. The author of those words seemed almost giddy. There are no free rides in this world! The investors who are looking to choke up well over $100 million will want their investment and profit margin guaranteed. I have yet to see what we will be charged for the power generated.
This same scenario is playing out right now in the state we quit in 2009; Vermont is well ahead of us with construction of wind farms to begin this year. The idiots in the Vermont legislature have agreed to pay well over double the spot market price – $.23 per kilowatt-hour – which guarantees the investors a generous profit.
I fear the counties here are simply overlooking what the power will cost because they are lapping their chops at the fresh source of revenue which they can squander as they see fit. Do not think for a moment that the local tax rates will decline. It will never happen.
More important is what will happen to our electric rates. Does anyone care, or should I say dare, look into this all important issue? I should think the mayor would be very interested; he ran on a platform to find relief from outrageous electric bills. Oh, yeah, I forgot! He got something like $5 off on a $300 monthly bill. It isn’t really his fault as contracts were signed in good faith and must be honored.
DON BLAKE
Elizabeth City
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