Need proof that wind energy benefits consumers
www.mlive.com 12 June 2012
The information communicated in “Businessman says clean energy deserves government support” is not substantiated in fact.
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, 183 jobs were reported from grants from the federal stimulus in 2009 and 2010, not “several thousand” as mentioned. The federal stimulus gave $34.5 million in Michigan, creating 183 jobs for 14 companies, primarily wind turbine businesses.
According to the 2008 Energy Information Administration (EIA), Big Wind received $18.82 federal subsidy per megawatt hour, which is 25 times as much per megawatt hour as subsidies for all other forms of electricity production combined.
According to Consumer’s Energy, the J.H. Campbell Plant in Ottawa County would remain unaffected by achieving a 10 percent renewable energy mandate. Instead, the higher-priced peaking natural gas would be displaced, not coal. Wind cannot provide baseload generation.
Before checks are written out, proof that wind provides benefits to the consumer, not just stakeholders, is necessary.
JANE EGGEBEEN/Grand Haven
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/12/need-proof-that-wind-energy-benefits-consumers/