Wind Power as a Viable Solution to Meeting Alternative Energy Needs
Although it is much less expensive to initially get
hooked into the local electric company's grid than it is to set up and
hook into wind turbines, in the long run one saves money by utilizing
the wind for one's energy needs—while also becoming more independent.
Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the advantages of the
modern electrically-driven lifestyle is a wondrous feeling.
Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily—but the cost of wind
turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a
turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial
success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and
researching technologies to make them ever more efficient. In addition,
people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the
fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater
independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to
“go primitive”, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on
oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment. Again,
this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the
same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their
energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine
production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the
consumers. In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing,
homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind
energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax
breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50%
of their total “green” energy systems' costs. In addition, there are 35
states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to
sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called
“net metering laws”. The rates that they are being paid by the local
power companies for this energy are standard retail rates—in other
words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy
production.
Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to
mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50
states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in
place. However, “A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There
wouldn't really be a role for the federal government,” the Energy
Department's Craig Stevens says. And as might be imagined, there are
power companies who feel that it's unfair that they should have to pay
retail rates to private individuals. “We should [only have to] pay you
the wholesale rate for ... your electricity,” according to Bruce Bowen,
Pacific Gas & Electric's director of regulatory policy. However, the
companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than
about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of
wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, “It's
quality power that strengthens the grid.”
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
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