Gov. Scott Walker doomed modern rail construction and train assembly manufacturing in Milwaukee and the state, and now wants to impose ultra-restrictive new rules on behalf of some real estate friends that will stop growth in the wind turbine industry.
The difference between the existing policy and Walker's rule change is stated well by the Journal Sentinel's Tom Content:
"Walker’s proposal would mandate minimum setbacks of 1,800 feet between a wind turbine and the nearest property line. That compares with a setback distance of 1,250 feet from a neighboring residence approved by the Public Service Commission in a rule adopted last year and set to take effect this year.
“There are very few locations in the entire Badger State that could overcome such extreme constraints,” said [energy coalition spokesman Michael] Vickerman. “You can count the locations on the fingers of one hand.'”
For a supposedly pro-growth Governor, this is about absurd as it can get.
And does it ever turn around the words of a top Walker appointee - - DNR-designee Cathy Stepp - - when she fired off a heated partisan allegation about Democrats in the government whom she accused of misusing their power:
"Change the Rules to Fit the Players," is how she put it.
Which is just what Walker is doing to a policy already hashed out, to businesses operating in good faith, and to projects for which permits have been issued.
Is the world upside down? Where are the editorial voices who urged Walker's election because had administrative experience and good plan for growing the economy and adding jobs?
Walker seems committed to making Wisconsin more dependent on fossil fuel burns at coal-fired generating plants and on expanded highways - - but leaving us with dirtier and fewer jobs.
Innovators in alternative energy fields, which is where job growth is happening with more projected, will go elsewhere.
I thought the Public Service Commission came out with the distance change from 1000 feet to 1250, not Walker.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Doyle was still in office when the PSC came out with those standards.
So, those ultra-restrictive rules were formulated under Doyle's watch.
Speaking of ultra-restrictive - is there something more than changing from 1000ft to 1250ft?
More sensationalism.
Shame on me. I guess I should have read the article you linked to.
ReplyDeleteThe wind turbine business isn’t looking very good right now.
ReplyDeletehttp://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/12/25/t-boone-pickens-abandons-u-s-wind-power/
Tom-Waukesha: This is the difference, as stated in the article:
ReplyDeleteWalker’s proposal would mandate minimum setbacks of 1,800 feet between a wind turbine and the nearest property line. That compares with a setback distance of 1,250 feet from a neighboring residence approved by the Public Service Commission in a rule adopted last year and set to take effect this year.
“There are very few locations in the entire Badger State that could overcome such extreme constraints,” said Vickerman. “You can count the locations on the fingers of one hand.”
To Anon@2:20: Pickens is abandoing his wind plan because it isn't being bundled with his plan to buy water rights and build aqueducts to Texas. Nothing to do with the merits of wind and everything to do with his water scam failing.
ReplyDeleteIt is really stunning that he would include as a jobs measure tight restrictions on wind power that destroy clean energy jobs and the growth of new industry, with all the work for suppliers.
ReplyDeleteAnd not only jobs, but also income for landowners and local governments. And... what about the property rights of the landowners who host the turbines? Too bad?
This makes no sense!
If folks want to help out in opposing these tight restrictions, please join and promote this Facebook page:
Save Wisconsin Wind and Jobs
I am hearing more and more that this was done to satisfy the realtors. Certainly a narrow definition of business presence and development in the state.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long it will take legislators to see how fast they ave been sidelined by the Walker machine?