Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 7
Wind Power in the United States
7.1. INTRODUCTION
he Obama administration has poured billions into subsidizing its favored green energy
sources. . . twenty years of subsidizing wind is more than enough.
1
—letter from 47 house Republicans to John Boehner (September 21, 2012)
Governor Romney even explained his energy policy this way: I'm quoting here: “You can't
drive a car with a windmill on it,” that's what he said about wind power. . . Now I don't
know if he's actually tried that. I know he's had other things on his car.
2
—President Barack Obama (August 15, 2012)
here is a lot of money on the line in America's energy sector and where there
is money, there is politics. In 2011, Exxon reported revenues of US$486 bil-
lion and after-tax proits of US$41 billion. Only 27 nations generated more
GDP than Exxon generated in revenues. As of 2011, Exxon reported over
US$214 billion invested into property, plant, and equipment.
3
In short,
there are a lot of sunk costs to defend. In the coal sector, America's Peabody
Energy, which is the world's largest private sector coal company, posted
US$8.077 billion in revenue in 2012.
4
Understandably, America's energy
sector is one of the most hotly contested marketplaces in the world and in
this marketplace, fossil fuel interests rule the roost.
On the other hand, 9/11 and the ensuing military response have engen-
dered a change in the ideological underpinnings of American energy secu-
rity eforts. Even conservative factions that have typically supported a free
trade energy policy have now begun to talk about the importance of ensur-
ing control over domestic energy security. One study by Oak Ridge National
Laboratory estimated that between 1970 and 2004, American dependence
on foreign oil has cost the country $5.6-$14.6 trillion.
5
his relects both
