This paper examines five different low and no-carbon electricity technologies and presents the net benefits of each under a range of assumptions. One of the key findings of the report states that "nuclear, hydro, and natural gas combined cycle have far more net benefits than either wind or solar. This is the case because solar and wind facilities suffer from a very high capacity cost per megawatt, very low capacity factors and low reliability, which result in low avoided emissions and low avoided energy cost per dollar invested." A summary of the findings is below. The full report can be accessed by clicking the links at the bottom of this page.
Impact on Economy
USA
The WindAction Group (www.windAction.org)
Facts, analysis, exposure to industrial wind energy's real impacts
This report by the Fraser Institute finds that Ontario’s Green Energy Act and its induced inefficiencies, have caused electricity prices to increase dramatically —now the highest in Canada—have cost the province an estimated 74,881 manufacturing jobs since the 2008 recession. High electricity prices are threatening industrial competitiveness, in particular that of the manufacturing sector for which electricity is a major input cost. The executive summary is provided below. The full report can be accessed by selecting the links on this page.
Alaska's Golden Valley Electric Co-Op denies a proposal by DWF to connect a new 13.5 megawatt ("MW") wind facility arguing, among other things, that the cost of interconnection would be higher than the benefits of the project.A letter with supporting evidence was submitted to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. A portion of the letter appears below. The full document can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.
This useful paper examines China's efforts to mitigate carbon emissions using wind power. The abstract of the paper along with conclusions is provided below. The full paper can be accessed by clicking the document icon on this page.
The Town of Henderson, New York, engaged the Nanos Clarkson Research Collaboration energy consultant team to assist in determining a series of impacts from the proposed Galloo Island wind farm development. The Galloo Island project plan proposes to construct up to 29 turbines with a total nameplate capacity of 102 MW. The turbines will stand 575 feet high, with blade lengths of 210 feet. The executive summary and key findings of the study are provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.
This new research conducted by Utah State University examines the true costs of wind power. The authors conclude that wind energy is roughly 48% more expensive than the industry’s official estimates. The executive summary of the report is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.
Australian Federal Senator John Madigan delivered this powerful speech before the Senate during its deliberation of Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2015, a bill that would lower Australia's national target for renewables. In his speech he cites the high cost of supporting the wind industry and the hypocrisy of claims that wind energy lowers electricity rates. His speech is provided in full below and can be accessed at the links on this page.
This report by the Yankee Institute examines the State of Connecticut's mandate requiring electricity providers to get a certain percentage of their power from renewable energy sources. The executive summary of the report is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.
This report evaluates the potential energy market impacts and energy costs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants. EPA proposed the CPP in June 2014 as a nationwide regulation (to be implemented by the states) under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
This document examines the cost of wind power after considering federal subsidies and the effect the subsidies on market energy prices. The conclusion of the document is provided below. The full document can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.
Why GAO Did This Study
This presentation prepared by appraiser Michael McCann examines the various studies that look at property value impacts near operating wind energy facilities. In this case, Mr. McCann looks at the Tipton County, Indiana ordinance and the effects of the proposed Juwi Wind project known as Prairie Breeze Wind Farm. The project was ultimately approved by Tipton County but a condition was placed on the permit that requires the developer guarantee there will be no negative effect on property values. The full presentation can be accessed at the links at the bottom of this page.
This report by the California Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission, an independent state oversight agency, calls on State leaders to direct the state’s energy organizations to assess the cumulative impact of recent major energy-related policies on electricity rates and reliability and whether these policies are achieving California’s energy and environmental goals. An excerpt of the executive summary is provided below. The full report can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
This case study investigates the impact of wind turbines on residential property values. The study looks at homes near the Melancthon Wind Facility located in Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. The project was built in two phases between 2006 and 2008. It consists of 133 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines with a total nameplate capacity of 200 megawatt. Excerpts of the report appear below. The full case study can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
Case Study: Introduction
This important document examines the Section 1603 cash grant program relative to job creation. The report states that most current methods used to calculate jobs created by Section 1603 are largely unreliable. What accurate jobs data that exists for Section 1603 shows that it produces very few long-term jobs. Also, Section 1603 has resulted in higher costs to the taxpayer than previously anticipated. The executive summary of the report is provided below. To access the full report, click on the link(s) at the bottom of this page.
Resolution #2012-14 was adopted by the City of Kingsville through a unanimous vote of its City Commission. The resolution states the City of Kingsville opposes the construction of industrial wind turbines (wind farms) in the City of Kingsville and in Kleberg County. The full resolution can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
Fox Island Wind Neighbors, representing homeowners living near the three 1.5 megawatt wind turbines on the Island of Vinalhaven off the coast of Maine, delivered an analysis of local electric rates to the administration of Governor Paul LePage demonstrating that the highly acclaimed turbines -- promised to be a cost savings to ratepayers-- are instead costing ratepayers more than if they had never been built. To access the documents click on the links at the bottom of this page.
The engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald was commissioned by Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in the UK to update the electricity generation costs in 2009. In its report released June 2010, the firm calculated the “levelised generation costs” for several technologies including wind power. In this report, economist Ruth Lea, examines these Government-commissioned estimates of costs to calculate the most cost-effective technologies.
Dr. Michaels' testimony before Congress concerning the economics that underlies H.R. 2915, and the consequences of repealing the Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA) $3.25 billion borrowing authority under The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. His testimony explains the realities of renewables as a source of job creation.