US Senate refuses to continue Big Wind’s outrageous tax credits! Hooray!

Mar 14, 2012

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—Helen Schwiesow Parker, PhD, LCP (Chilmark, Mass.) 3/13/12

In what may well be the biggest defeat for Big Wind around the world in over a decade, the US Senate voted today not to attach the “non-germane” Stabenow amendment #1812 to the Transportation Bill.  Dead in the water!  Done (for now).  And likely done for quite awhile.  Most “in the know” predict that the Transportation Bill is likely the last legislation for the year that will have bipartisan support.

The Production Tax Credits (PTC’s) for wind have expired three times in their 20-year history, and been reinstated each time, but this time we are so much closer to a critical mass of the electorate having learned the truth about Big Wind—it doesn’t work.  It doesn’t reduce carbon emissions; it doesn’t reduce fossil fuel use. And without adequate setbacks, infrasound from turbines makes people sick.

Up against an army of lobbyists on Capitol Hill, tens of thousands of impassioned citizens around the country, with little but truth on our side, stayed apprised of the moment-to-moment specifics throughout the past week, and our voices were heard.  First Big Wind presented the Bennet Amendment #1709, then another version, the Bennet/Moran Amendment #1790.  Then replaced these with another with new language offered by Senator Cantwell (D-WA).  Eventually Senators Reid and McConnell chose to present the Stabenow Amendment #1812 to the full Senate.

#1812 would not only have extended the Production Tax Credit for Big Wind, but would also have resurrected the 1603 credit—the worst of all possibilities.  Big Wind needed 60 votes to attach their self-serving agenda to the BigDaddy S.1813 Surface Transportation Bill.  Instead, they got only 49 votes, less than a majority, a benchmark of sorts.

That’s $5-$20 billion in debt (plus interest) our kids won’t have to pay to the Chinese PLUS billions in savings coming from lower energy costs for the entire economy.  (Is it too much to assume this means Cape Wind is finally off the chart?)

In all events, it is really amazing, almost worthy of miracle status.  For those so inclined, say a prayer of thanks tonight!

  1. Comment by Melodie Burkett on 03/14/2012 at 1:46 pm

    MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO. WE CANADIANS CAN ONLY HOPE.

  2. Comment by Mauri Johansson, MD (Denmark) on 03/14/2012 at 2:08 pm

    An excellent decision in the Senate! Increasing panic in Vestas, Denmark. Hopefully, in the Government of Denmark, too.

    Be careful after the election in November, Big Wind will be lobbying vigorously, and taxpayers and electricity users will pay this bill, too!

    Best,

    Mauri (Denmark)

  3. Comment by sue Hobart on 03/14/2012 at 3:45 pm

    Horray… somebody is paying attention… be it ever so humble…

  4. Comment by Linda Salamon on 03/14/2012 at 6:36 pm

    I’m not usually a praying sort, but “Hallelujah & thank God!” And thanks especially to everyone who wrote to their senators explaining why they should vote against Big Wind.

    I am still waiting for the FINAL headline that marks the end of our battle with the Wind Industry: BREAKING WIND! Ha ha!
    .
    PTC

  5. Comment by Andreas Marciniak on 03/15/2012 at 2:39 am

    Great, it’s a good start. Let’s not ease of quiet yet; it is only the beginning of a long battle ahead. We have people listening, and that is a wonderful start. Now we need other governments to see the light—all around the world.

    Regards,

    Andreas Marciniak

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