After a fantastic run spanning a few years, the renewable energy sector has taken a number of hits recently, which suggests its inevitable march as the energy source of the future is far from certain.“It’s pretty bleak — there is no way to sugar coat it. But I wouldn’t call it a lost cause,” says Matt Horne, director of climate change at the Pembina Institute.
While all sectors have ups and downs, there is a fear that renewables’ weaknesses could lead to structural changes, as policymakers no longer have the luxury of supporting and extending subsidies at a time of fiscal austerity.
Think of the billions that might have been saved if only policy makers had done their homework.
h/t Kevin B
To paraphrase - When I hear the words 'greenhouse gas' I reach for my revolver.
Kate. Your second link is broke (missing ':' ).
.
I wonder how much dough is being syphoned off to the ecofascists in the Pembina Institute and other members of the green cottage industry. Maybe time for an audit on such groups.
Shouldn't policy makes be held personally accountable for such wanton disregard for the taxpayer's money?
Solar panel glut new Chinese problem
Heheheh
The only serious economic discussions of AGW science will be done in Penitentiary YARD discussions. Folks like Matt Horne KNOW they are stoking a fraud, or he is seriously unqualified. The hammer is coming!
Thank you martywd. Should be fixed now.
i actually ran into someone who believes that wind energy is making a real profit. He was not amused with my facts about subsidies are carrying the industry.
I can't believe that there are still people out there who believe that wind farms pay for themselves.
"there is a fear that renewables’ weaknesses could lead to structural changes, as policymakers no longer have the luxury of supporting and extending subsidies at a time of fiscal austerity."
In simplified English:
The Eco Greenie Scam artists have run the grift as far as they can and realize the well of free money is running dry.
Time to think up the Next Great Eco Hysteria & Fear Mongering Scam that can be used to fleece the rubes and their co-scammers called "journalists"
"Think of the billions that might have been saved if only policy makers had done their homework."
Forget homework, it was possible to explain this was a not a good idea on the back of an envelope and grade 3 math skills.
Denis, my lefty buddy still insists because so many countries are building wind farms they must be viable. When I point out repeatedly that are Siemens or G.E. building them with THEIR money or with taxpayer money he admits the governments are building them but no matter what facts I give him refuses, refuses to believe that governments would spend money without cost justifying the expense.
Of course he doesn't respond when I point out the $240 million McGuinty threw in the toilet to buy Liberal seats in Mississauga and Oakville, which will rise to over $640 million once the power plants are moved.
His wife is a retired teacher. It is impossible to get through to these people.
Excellent article. Not going Nuclear seems to be the height of stupidity. One telling chapter shows the mindset of what's holding us back in the name of ludites:
"The Sierra Club, which opposed construction of the Hetch-Hetchy Dam in Yosemite in 1921, is still trying to tear it down, even though it provides drinking water and 400 megawatts of electricity to San Francisco. Each year more dams are now torn down than are constructed as a result of this campaign."
Northern BC is facing that same battle again with the opposition to a new dam although it would supply more power than all the bird shredders in BC combined. Stupidity can be a terminal disease for a country. McGuinty and Ontario in point. NDP in general.
Reason Foundation released a study yesterday that calculates that the maximum benefits of wind in CO2 reduction is at 10% of total energy (with 20% being the upper boundary). Beyond this any gains are negated by the need for fossil fuel back-up generators.
http://reason.org/news/show/study-wind-power-cant-cost-effectiv
My saying is Go Green, Go Broke. It is not that green energy will itself cause the bankruptcy but it is a strong indicator of government ineptness. Governments who believe green energy is either economical or will save the Earth have descended into fanciful, irrational thinking or are corrupt and receiving personal gain by spending public money. That type of fanciful thinking or corruption generally does not stop at green energy.
I found it amazing the US has spent $90billion on green bs (Obama didn't challenge Romney on this in debate, though he was nearly comatose).
What a colossal waste of money.
[quote]no matter what facts I give him refuses, refuses to believe that governments would spend money without cost justifying the expense[/quote]
Dave
In the real world Government have no Management tools justifying ongoing costs. Once the up-front work is completed none of the workers have a clue, they don’t know or have any reason to care. I find it funny when the Canadian Senate has financial hearings. They ask the only question that can be answered. "How does Canadian efficiency compare to other Countries” If that other Country is the US you can be sure it is butt ugly…$3000 toilet seats, $250K bathrooms at Highway Rest stops.
"Think of the billions that might have been saved if only policy makers had done their homework."
But I don't understand. We've had some of the finest minds in the country working on this renewable energy business.
Why here's a detailed scientific illustration showing just one of the many exciting energy initiatives they're pursuing with our tax dollars:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/additional/large/drinking_bird_beak.jpg
Yesterday I stopped to watch some wind surfers on Lake Erie taking advantage of the wind. In the distance I could see a few of the industrial turbines in the area - absolutely motionless.
Tough to get that sweet spot for wind power, kind of like Goldilocks looking for porridge.
Sometimes i think even idiot boy dalton might give up on this, but he figures it's his last chance to leave something behind other than a fart in the giant provincial phone booth.
We know wind and solar power work. They grow plants and dry clothes on a laundry line. After that, not useful for industrial purposes. That's not difficult to nut out (unless you work for the government).
"if only policy makers had done their homework".
In Ont those doing the homework were greedy Wind executives who figured they could make a great deal of money with FIT subsidies at 13.5 c kwh. Liberal leaders like David Peterson, Mike Crawley and others convinced George Smitherman and Dalton McGuinty that this wooly idea would appeal to urban voters and enrich their companies at the same time. So far they have been proven correct.
I wonder if Premier Wall will read this article?
Me too Ken (Kulak) @ 1:58. If he is wise, he will always read SDA. Perhaps reflect, in quite moments, on the fate of 'forlorn lorn' Calvert who would/could not read or learn. Heh.
Happy Thanksgiving to all @ SDA.