“Less expensive natural gas is a boon to drilling host communities because it is a boon to natural gas customers. Wind energy is a boon to local communities looking to make a buck off of forced government wealth transfers — aka ‘picking winners and losers.’ That government force comes in many forms, such as special taxpayer-funded production subsidies, local tax abatement and state renewable energy mandates.”

Tom Stacy is, indeed, a “heroic Ohioan for affordable electricity.” Underpaid and overworked, he speaks truth to wind power at  every opportunity in his state and beyond. His advice?

Protest loudly, politely, and often, and sue at every turn. Expose greed and support sound science…. Finally, always speak from a position of integrity and truth and NEVER exaggerate the way the wind industry does. It is possible, though not expected, that eventually truth will win the day. Be proud because you have the truth on your side – whether you win or not.

Ever vigilant, Stacy is quick to rebut the wind cronies. His latest is a letter-to-the-editor, ” No Comparing Wind to Gas,” in The Courier, a newspaper covering Findlay, Hancock County, and Northwestern Ohio.

His 322-word letter says so much, it is worth reprinting in total.

NO COMPARING WIND TO GAS

I read the column written by Sen. Cliff Hite (Viewpoint, Aug. 24) that tried to make the case for compromising rural property rights in the name of proliferating industrial wind turbines in northwest Ohio.

 Hite said wind power was akin to the development of shale gas.

 As a published economist in the electricity generation sector, it is easy for me to see the flaws of his comparison — but it may not be so obvious to many Courier readers. So let’s examine the senator’s comparison.

Less expensive natural gas is a boon to drilling host communities because it is a boon to natural gas customers.
Wind energy is a boon to local communities looking to make a buck off of forced government wealth transfers — aka “picking winners and losers.”

That government force comes in many forms, such as special taxpayer-funded production subsidies, local tax abatement and state renewable energy mandates.

Now Sen. Hite wants to impose uncompensated nuisance easements on private property and extort property value by reducing wind turbine setbacks.

Together, these transfers of wealth and rights sum up to more than half of the equivalent revenue accruing to (mostly foreign) wind investors.

Wouldn’t you love to own a business that taxpayers and customers were forced by the government to make profitable?

 In the end, that hurts all of us and especially the elderly, handicapped, veterans, minorities, and our precious grandchildren’s future through misspent tax dollars and higher national debt service far into the future.
I love my sweet grandchildren, too. That’s why I feel compelled to rebuke Hite’s wind energy charade.

I have heard some call it “Hite-Way Robbery.” With Republicans like Cliff Hite in office, who needs a liberal party? For that matter, who needs socialist dictatorships?

Hite is the kind of politician that gives the Republican Party a particularly bad name through inept crony capitalism. The question is, will there be a viable challenger in the next primary election?

– Tom Stacy (Ottawa, Ohio)

 

This piece looks at the reality of the introduction of electric vehicles in the UK. In short it will take a lot longer than the 2040 year announced by the government, otherwise we will have chaos. For a start there are nowhere near enough charging points available, and even if there were there is insufficient capacity in the grid to power them. Also there is a lot of resistance by the public to buy them for a whole number of reasons including cost, fear of being left stranded with a flat battery being two.

The public will need a lot of persuading. I expect we will see a gradual ban on non-electric cars being allowed into cities as well as increased taxes on petrol and diesel. That will change hearts and minds, as well as a gradual drop in the number of petrol stations. Bu I still think it will be at least 2050 before fossil fuelled cars become a rare sight – that is if the government does not change its mind before then as global warming becomes even more of a sick joke.