Letter to the Editor: Wind and politics

Viability, as elementary as it may seem, appears not to be part of the discussion when weighing alternatives for a more secure energy future.

The fact that the methods we adopt to generate essential power in the coming years must, at the very least, be viable has not yet entered into the equation and demonstrates that no one is really thinking that far ahead – not even our politicians. For them the symbolic gesture alone is enough to garner votes, and nothing is more symbolic these days than giant wind turbines.

Al Gore and T Boone Pickens would have us revamp the nation’s entire electrical infrastructure based on the whims of the breeze, regardless that it would wreak havoc on thousands of fragile eco-systems and natural landscapes overwhelmed in the aftermath of industrial wind power development on such an immense scale.

This irrational, misguided concept fails to acknowledge that wind cannot generate vital capacity, and simply isn’t “viable.” It is not a significant component of the global warming solution as so many ill-informed proponents believe. Research shows there are far superior alternative energies, and none that are so intrusive, degrading, or expensive. Wind cannot produce dependably or independently, and consistently fails to live up to even its own low expectations. Still, ideas like the “Pickens Plan” proclaim to be about the “common good” – though it will be Mr. Pickens himself who benefits the most by far. Controversial carbon-offset programs, tax avoidance schemes, and government mandates that are in large part a result of his own intensive lobbying efforts will increase his already astounding wealth to the detriment of citizens and taxpayers everywhere.

Commercial wind energy is pure folly and mocks environmentalism around the globe. It should be taken completely off the table when considering alternatives to invest our time and resources in, but because of political pressure, it’s at the top of the list. The federal production tax credit program designed to bolster the U.S. renewable energy industry is being exploited by unscrupulous, often foreign wind power companies.

But if viability were the quantifying test, no wind developer would ever meet the standard. Our decision-makers and their advisors must stop pandering to special interests and start making a genuine effort to understand the basics of the many options out there and the substantial differences between them. Wise choices will ensure sustainability and environmental stewardship, not degradation. Industrial wind power won’t stabilize soaring energy costs or cool a warming planet. It will only distract us from our goal of finding legitimate solutions that will truly make a meaningful and lasting difference.

Sue Sliwinski
Sardinia, NY