03-04-2019, 08:34 AM
Otter
I found the article linked below interesting. It seems my home state is at 37% wind power for electricity, and expected to hit 40% in 2020. Found another article that list Iowa as highest in the US. Now before you consider that complete surrender, it has to be researched more for actual cost comparisons. I admit this sounds encouraging, and higher than I realized while living here. I already told you my Ute bills are low. That said, here are some facts, or what I believe to be facts, that add some clarity to the stats.
-Iowa passed a law in the 1980s that forced the Utes to invest in wind power. What that means as far as subsidies, I don't know?
-We are one of the windiest states in US, top ten I believe.
-only 3 million population, lots of wide open spaces to keep wind farms away from the few populated areas.
-many farmers willingly allow turbines on their private property because of the longterm income. (how much is tax money)
-We use natty gas for heat, which is probably half our utility needs. It's a fact if you convert your home to electric heat, water heater and dryer, your total utility bill is substantially higher.
-Keep in mind Iowa also leads the nation in ethanol production for decades, which is forced on everyone else in the US via subsidies and laws the EPA is behind. It is NOT more cost effective than the gasoline it displaces, except during the times oil prices spike very high. The last stat I read years ago was it typically costs $1.05 to make $1.00 worth of ethanol. The hope was technology would correct that in a short time.
-It's a fact that ethanol is cleaner energy.
- I think the reality is subsidies can make technology "lazy". Fossil fuels are not easy to compete with on a completely level paying field. The farmers did get more efficient though as their production per acre is FAR higher than the 1970s. Now ADM needs to make the alcohol more efficiently and still pay us DGI guys.
Otherwise this is just another inefficient government program.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Iowa
.....
I found the article linked below interesting. It seems my home state is at 37% wind power for electricity, and expected to hit 40% in 2020. Found another article that list Iowa as highest in the US. Now before you consider that complete surrender, it has to be researched more for actual cost comparisons. I admit this sounds encouraging, and higher than I realized while living here. I already told you my Ute bills are low. That said, here are some facts, or what I believe to be facts, that add some clarity to the stats.
-Iowa passed a law in the 1980s that forced the Utes to invest in wind power. What that means as far as subsidies, I don't know?
-We are one of the windiest states in US, top ten I believe.
-only 3 million population, lots of wide open spaces to keep wind farms away from the few populated areas.
-many farmers willingly allow turbines on their private property because of the longterm income. (how much is tax money)
-We use natty gas for heat, which is probably half our utility needs. It's a fact if you convert your home to electric heat, water heater and dryer, your total utility bill is substantially higher.
-Keep in mind Iowa also leads the nation in ethanol production for decades, which is forced on everyone else in the US via subsidies and laws the EPA is behind. It is NOT more cost effective than the gasoline it displaces, except during the times oil prices spike very high. The last stat I read years ago was it typically costs $1.05 to make $1.00 worth of ethanol. The hope was technology would correct that in a short time.
-It's a fact that ethanol is cleaner energy.
- I think the reality is subsidies can make technology "lazy". Fossil fuels are not easy to compete with on a completely level paying field. The farmers did get more efficient though as their production per acre is FAR higher than the 1970s. Now ADM needs to make the alcohol more efficiently and still pay us DGI guys.
Otherwise this is just another inefficient government program. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Iowa
.....