Letters From: Champaign

Blowing in the Wind

The NG [Champaign News-Gazette] editorialized on April 10th about wind power, and a bill languishing in the General Assembly that would mandate that the power companies generate 2% of their power from renewable sources by 2007, and 8% by 2013.

One key quote, “It was a win-win for everyone.”

I beg to differ. If it was a win-win for everyone, why do we need legislation to mandate it? The answer of course is that wind power is still more expensive. The NG later tried to show that the cost increase is negligible, but they reference the estimated cost increase as the result of a Com Ed voluntary (and minor) measure, not the proposed legislative mandate.
Wind power may become a viable power source, especially considering the increasing costs of traditional inputs like coal and natural gas. But if you need the force of law to make power companies use it, there must be a fly in the ointment somewhere. Categories: Government/State, Energy -->
- - - redstatewannabe at April 12, 2006, 2:12 pm