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Governor short-sighted
Credit: The Laconia Daily Sun | August 5, 2013 | www.laconiadailysun.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Recent statements from Governor Margaret Hassan’s office regarding wind farms in Central New Hampshire has been causing some angst among local residents around Newfound Lake. Writing off registered voters around the states fourth largest lake is not a smart political move.
Purposely creating uncertainty with local residents over her political support for wind farms is not a smart move. Is the Queen being deliberately dodgy about her “green” governor views. I believe so.
One thing is for sure – she’s a sucker for shiny toys paid for with piles of public money. She’s truly short cited: First, she fails to see an exit strategy paid for by developers. Being shortsighted is not a crime – but approving it before she understands it – surly sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Second, she fails to hear arguments on protecting our watershed. Even children understands the basic laws of gravity – “what goes up must come down”. The Queen needs to understand that building on mountaintops will effect everything below – and below is our watershed.
Third, she needs to understand that the majority of residents in this area are completely opposed to the next three projects for one simple reason – it’s too much for us to handle. Four wind farms within a 15 mile radius, combined with four other renewable energy plants – not to mention all the new power lines – will surely have a negative impact on our community. Where else in New England has this type of renewable energy intrusion occurred?
Any time you have the top elected official in the state questioning whether wind energy is a good thing, that creates concern. There remains significant debate over whether wind power would be cost-competitive without subsidies, federal tax credits and state policies meant to encourage the development of renewable energy sources.
Regardless of the political debate over subsidies for wind energy, it is clear that the wind developers are running here – cash in hand – looking to build, build, build. Almost a half a billion dollars will go into outfitting this area with over 100 turbines… and they expect me to believe that $600,000 in decommission costs per wind farm will be acceptable? I think not.
Let’s be more objective and make sure that we all understand the economics of it before it’s rammed down our throats. I think each and every politician should go on the record – and tell residents of New Hampshire why they are for it or against it. In their statements they should outline why New Hampshire rate payers should pay more to power southern states; how many new full time/year round jobs will be created and why Massachusetts is outsourcing their renewable wind tax credits through the State of New Hampshire.
It’s only fair, right?
Ray Cunningham
Bridgewater
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