Eric Massa and an ill blowing wind

So, what’s the story with the wind farms of Cohocton? Have you driven down there? There are something like 30 of them dotting the hillsides by Route 17 heading through the Southern Tier. I think they’re beautiful. I love the idea of renewable energy being produced on such a large scale.

But, do they work? I’ve heard rumors that they have been constructed in an area that is not really a wind corridor and they don’t turn on their own, that there are generators powering those which are turning, to create the facade of functionality. (please note, the generators are rumor, I can’t find sources to back that up.)

So, why the wind turbines if they’re not producing energy? As usual, follow the money:

In 2006, the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University undertook the most comprehensive review yet of Cape Wind’s public subsidies.

“What we found was quite remarkable,” David Tuerck, the institute’s executive director, said at the time. “Cape Wind stands to receive subsidies worth $731 million, or 77 percent of the cost of installing the project and 48 percent of the revenues it would generate. The policy question that this amount of subsidy raises is whether the project’s benefit is worth the huge public subsidies that the developer gets.”

Cape Wind spokesman Mark Rogers said the wind farm would only receive government monies after it is up and working, and meeting certain production criteria.

“It’s all performance-based,” he said.

Really, Mr Rogers? (Not to be confused with Fred Rogers, who didn’t have a dishonest bone in his body.)

In September, after First Wind affiliates received $115 million in federal stimulus money, U.S. Rep. Eric J. Massa (D-N.Y.) wrote to President Barack Obama, calling the grants “very alarming” and saying the company “abused the public trust.

“No electricity has been produced for sale out of the projects,” but the company “has already collected production rewards for non-existent energy,” Massa told Obama.

Further, here is a video of Eric Massa responding to this issue at a town hall meeting: View the Video

77 million dollars for a private, for profit adventure that has nothing to do with the taxpayer”

There is no one more enthusiastic about the possibilities of renewable energies in the form of wind power, than I. I’m heartbroken that, again, crooked corporations are running with this ball to the goal of profits without accountability. A quick buck made while the wool is pulled over the starry eyed gaze of a public wanting to believe in a path to the greater good.

Once again, thank you to Eric.

Related posts:

1. Once more, Eric Massa on the right side of wrong
2. (I know, how cliche’!) The Answer is Blowing in the Wind
3. On the Bill Press Show, Eric Massa “Calls ‘em as he sees ‘em”.
4. Hate Crimes legislation passed in the House last week, take a moment to thank Eric Massa.
5. Eric Massa interviewed by City. Here’s the Health Care part.