Comments on: (I know, how cliche’!) The Answer is Blowing in the Wind http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/ turning the tide upstate Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:50:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: rochesterturning.com: turning the tide upstate http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-61549 rochesterturning.com: turning the tide upstate Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:22:16 +0000 http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-61549 [...] would make them appear to be progressively leaning toward renewable energy, and as you could tell, from a previous post, I’m all for that. But local wind-farms may not be what they’re cracked up to be (and I [...] [...] would make them appear to be progressively leaning toward renewable energy, and as you could tell, from a previous post, I’m all for that. But local wind-farms may not be what they’re cracked up to be (and I [...]

]]> By: ladkiddo http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54153 ladkiddo Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:45:31 +0000 http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54153 I would certainly need more information, but I, as a tax payer have no problem subsidizing this. Happy to subsidize anything to keep the planet from going under so my progeny live on. I would certainly need more information, but I, as a tax payer have no problem subsidizing this. Happy to subsidize anything to keep the planet from going under so my progeny live on.

]]> By: robinia http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54129 robinia Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:26:16 +0000 http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54129 Oh, you know, I hate to have to say it, 'cuz I am a BIG wind fan, too.... but, the Lowville story is not as simple and straightforward and positive as it appears on the surface (which is how it is often told). Bill Moore was not just selling an idea to the farmers whose land the wind farms are on, he was selling the idea to the state government, and to municipal officials statewide. And, he was not using only the wind company's money to do it, either.... You see, Maple Ridge wind farm is the only industrial facility in NYS to be located in an Empire Zone comprised of a number of polka-dots spread across the countryside, a little circle under each turbine. Therefore, the real property taxes that are paid to Lowville, etc. on these rather expensive capital-heavy/labor-light installations are picked up by.... YOU and ME, Jane and Joe NYS taxpayer. The construction HAS brought a bunch of economic activity, but, we will all still be paying their tax bill long after the last turbine is errected, and there are just a handful of jobs left monitoring their operation. Now, in theory, I would be all for subsidizing the development of wind energy-- but, the Empire Zone program was a really inappropriate policy tool to use... and, in fact, the Leg. has closed that particular loophole. Watch out for how the political consensus to develop wind gets formed. It can really effect things long-haul. I really like the idea of wind farms on public property, either state or municipal, and sharing the benefit through the public sector directly, rather than subsidizing developers to do so on private land-- less corruption opportunity, and greater public benefits. Oh, you know, I hate to have to say it, ‘cuz I am a BIG wind fan, too…. but, the Lowville story is not as simple and straightforward and positive as it appears on the surface (which is how it is often told). Bill Moore was not just selling an idea to the farmers whose land the wind farms are on, he was selling the idea to the state government, and to municipal officials statewide. And, he was not using only the wind company’s money to do it, either….

You see, Maple Ridge wind farm is the only industrial facility in NYS to be located in an Empire Zone comprised of a number of polka-dots spread across the countryside, a little circle under each turbine. Therefore, the real property taxes that are paid to Lowville, etc. on these rather expensive capital-heavy/labor-light installations are picked up by…. YOU and ME, Jane and Joe NYS taxpayer. The construction HAS brought a bunch of economic activity, but, we will all still be paying their tax bill long after the last turbine is errected, and there are just a handful of jobs left monitoring their operation.

Now, in theory, I would be all for subsidizing the development of wind energy– but, the Empire Zone program was a really inappropriate policy tool to use… and, in fact, the Leg. has closed that particular loophole.

Watch out for how the political consensus to develop wind gets formed. It can really effect things long-haul. I really like the idea of wind farms on public property, either state or municipal, and sharing the benefit through the public sector directly, rather than subsidizing developers to do so on private land– less corruption opportunity, and greater public benefits.

]]> By: itchy http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54071 itchy Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:10:59 +0000 http://rochesterturning.com/2007/08/13/i-know-how-cliche-the-answer-is-blowing-in-the-wind/#comment-54071 Very entertaining video, thanks. Very entertaining video, thanks.

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