Should the Government Subsidize Renewable Energy?

[Matt Collins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWDCUVhWbXU&feature=uploademail

[TinCanToNA]

Wind turbines are actually worse than worthless as sources of commercial power. Every MW of wind must be backed up by a MW of reliable power, meaning nuclear, coal, natural gas, or hydroelectric. This means that wind energy does essentially nothing to reduce the necessary power capacity--it offsets virtually no capacity. Then once you factor in the effect of constantly dropping coal and natural gas plants offline and then bringing them back to full capacity, you realize that on average, wind power uses more coal than coal plants. The only way to actually make wind power viable is to invent some magical, enormously energy dense battery.

Solar power, however, has some uses but not in a large-scale commercial setting. When you need to power things that are far from electrical infrastructure, such as remote houses, sensors, or satellites in space, they are great. As for commercial power, other than a fuel-less way to heat your water, there is little hope for them because they suffer the same (though slightly less random) reliability problems.

[Anti Federalist]

Government has been "subsidizing" and "promoting" alternative energy and energy independence for 35 years now.

Result: the nation is more energy dependent on foreign sources than before, with no alternatives that viable on the horizon.

But 65 - 70 mpg cars are available. Just not here.

http://www.treehugger.com/Ford%20ECOnetic%20diesel%20car%20photo.jpg

[Icymudpuppy]

No, they just need to stop stifling the good ideas for the benefit of oil companies. I've noticed they only subsidize those alternatives which pose no threat to big oil.

[FrankRep]

http://www.thenewamerican.com/images/stories/Sci_9-2009/2622-cs.jpg (http://www.shopjbs.org/index.php/tna/subscriptions/1-year-standard-subscription.html)


2010: Wind Power: An Ill Wind Blowing (http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/tech-mainmenu-30/energy/4982-wind-power-an-ill-wind-blowing)

Wind power has been pushed by politicians and environmentalists, but how viable an energy solution is it? By Ed Hiserodt

2010: Wind Power II: The Wind-farm Eruption (http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/tech-mainmenu-30/energy/4983-wind-power-ii-the-wind-farm-eruption)

Why are wind turbines sprouting like overnight mushrooms across the American landscape — who's footing the bill for wind power and why? By Ed Hiserodt

2011: "Green" Wind Power Devastates Environment (http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/tech-mainmenu-30/environment/6146-green-wind-power-devastates-environment)

The United Kingdom's investment in wind power has made energy more expensive in the UK, and has spread environmental devastation in China. By James Heiser

[Philhelm]

No.

[noxagol]

Obviously no.

[Sola_Fide]

Government has been "subsidizing" and "promoting" alternative energy and energy independence for 35 years now.

Result: the nation is more energy dependent on foreign sources than before, with no alternatives that viable on the horizon.

But 65 - 70 mpg cars are available. Just not here.

http://www.treehugger.com/Ford%20ECOnetic%20diesel%20car%20photo.jpg


Yes^^^

What wonders the government has done for us in energy matters, right?

I mean, it is just depressing to realize how much our government has held back innovation and technology. Tyranny indeed...

[Bman]

Yes^^^

What wonders the government has done for us in energy matters, right?

I mean, it is just depressing to realize how much our government has held back innovation and technology. Tyranny indeed...

Gas guzzlers = more tax revenue!!!

Plus they sound cool!

[Bossobass]

Absolutely YES.

And, here's how. STOP DEFICIT SPENDING SO THAT THE TRILLIONS YOU WASTE ARE AVAILABLE TO COMPETENT ENTREPRENEURS!!!!!

There are currently 30 electric vehicle companies in the US, all of which build an awesome product and all of which are starved to death for investment capital.

http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/10/27-electric-cars-companies-ready-to-take-over-the-road/

Bosso

[rholl]

No. The gov should not subsidize anything.

[MozoVote]

I take an agnostic view on this. If these kinds of investments are popular enough (like the space program) that the public supports some expediture or subsidy in place - then so be it. I'd rather see money used wastefully on research that *could* produce unexpected breakthoughs, or side technological advances that help out in other areas, than in the typical liberal "handouts".

For example, wind and solar power are widely recognized as being unable to replace fossil fuels. But if there is a major foreign war cutting off supplies, then we might be glad to have that infrastructre in place to generate 5% or whatever of power that it can do. It's not economically "logical" but it can be viewed as something of an insurance bet.

[Koz]

No.

[Matt Collins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD40J45zjIM&feature=uploademail