Economist Robert J. Michaels from California State University provided this testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Energy and Environment Subcommittee in reference to renewable energy policy. Dr. Michaels expresses doubts that wind energy will have much of an impact on displacing fossil fuels, or that government subsidies for the wind industry will create jobs. A summary of his testimony is provided below. His full testimony can be accessed by clicking on one of the links at the bottom of the page.

The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), in its letter to President Barack Obama, urges rejection of the request by General Electric, smart grid vendors and other signatories who are seeking to link access to federal programs related to electricity distribution and energy efficiency to smart grid technology access. NASUCA argues smart grid technologies are expensive and evolving and should not be forced on consumers.

These remarks were presented by Dr. Michael Nissenbaum at a press conference held at the Vermont legislature. Dr. Nissenbaum has been documenting the adverse health effects of industrial turbines on residents living near the Mars Hill Maine towers.

Renewable energy—harnessing the power of the wind and the sun—sounds wonderful until confronted with the facts. While wind and sun are indeed free, turning their energy into consumer-accessible electricity is not. Nor is it easy. Wind power must be used at the moment the wind is blowing— which it generally does not do during blazing-hot summer days, the peak of electricity use. Both solar and wind power require costly installations and transmission mechanisms. Instead of saving money for Americans, renewable energy sources are much more likely to spike their utility bills. Nevertheless, Congress is considering a mandate for a nationwide renewable electricity standard (RES). Heritage Foundation energy policy experts explain why an imposed national RES would be bad for families, bad for business, and bad for the economy.

Renewable energy on the Pacific Northwest's electricity grid has increased substantially over the years, and this is leading to a number of problems. For the Pacific Northwest, renewable energy expansion truly means wind energy expansion because it is the closest to being market-competitive of all renewable energy sources. Wind power, like hydroelectric power, is clean (i.e., carbon-free in its production), and this remains a large part of policymakers' attraction to wind. While the negative aspects of wind power are apparent, they are often overlooked. Ever increasing wind generation will have a significant impact on the reliability and affordability of electricity in the Pacific Northwest that very well might outweigh any of the claimed environmental benefits. This consise report by the Cascade Policy Institute examines the costs and impacts of wind power integration in the Pacific Northwest.

This new report from Colorado's natural gas industry says increased use of wind energy indirectly results in raised pollution levels produced by some coal-fired power plants along the Front Range. The report recommends curbing the use of wind energy during the next one or two years to levels that match power output at existing natural gas-fired power plants -- and building more natural gas plants in the long term. The introductory sections of the report are provided below. To access the full document click on the link at the bottom of this page.

William P. Short III and Lisa Linowes, executive director of Windaction.org, submitted these comments to FERC in response to the Commission's January 21, 2010 Notice of Inquiry regarding Integration of Variable Energy Resources. An excerpt of our comments is provided below. The full document can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

General Victor E. Renuart, Jr. USAF Commander of the United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command delivered this testimony to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. The below excerpt includes General Renuart's concerns with radar interference from wind farm development. His full testimony can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

This 60-day notice of violations of the Endangered Species Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and other laws, was filed with the U.S. Department of the Interior in connection with the proposed Cape Wind offshore wind energy facility. The detailed notice and supporting appendices explain fundamental failures of the Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Fish and Wildlife Service to adequately assess the risks to the natural environment and to protected and endangered species.

The Vermont Public Service Board completed hearings on the proposed Georgia Mountain wind energy facility. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), an intervenor in the proceedings, was highly critical of the project's potential impact on the natural environment including resident and migratory bats. The ANR submitted the document at the link below to the Public Service Board detailing its recommendation for findings to the Board. An excerpt from the document pertaining to bat mortality is provided below.