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2/16/2010
WI Global Warming Bill – disgust from the Front
Scott Hamilton and Brandi Lefeber from the Fox Valley took a day off work yesterday to see – and participate in – their government in action. Below is Brandi's account – from the responsible taxpayer/American’s point of view. It's long - but well worth your time to read. JAE
We had an educational, but extremely disappointing day in Madison concerning the bill AB 649.
First thing, as we walked up to the Capitol, were two homeless men, laying on some metal hatch, curled up, trying to stay warm. One had a blanket and the other didn't. It was so sad to see this almost on the steps of the Capitol.
Once inside, we walked around and found our Assembly representatives' offices. Rep. Roth was not there, but Rep. Ott's secretary was there and I was able to leave a message for him to please vote against AB649, which the secretary was pretty sure he would, along with many other Republicans.
The doors to the Assembly hearing room were open by the time we got there, and we each filled out a slip so we could speak.
We were the first ones there, so we were excited that we would be able to speak first. Yeah, right! [Not!] The Wisconsin Eye cameras were up and running and Channel 27 was also there filming.
Each person was allowed 5 minutes to speak, and when the talking started, the disappointment set in. The text that follows are from my notes, and I did not catch every name or company that they represented, so I apologize for that in advance. I really need to learn to write shorthand!
Most of the speakers represented companies that produced solar panels or wind turbines and of course, they all supported the bill, and promised to bring jobs to Wisconsin.
One representative from Verizon Wind Energy in Texas was whining that no one was buying his wind turbines. He promised to bring 75-100 short term jobs to Lafayette County. Long term jobs would number between 7-10. The board member from Lafayette County that was with him mentioned that there was hardly any opposition to creating wind farms there. Another farmer from the same area said the extra income from wind farms would be appreciated.
An Iraqi war veteran pushed for the legislation citing national security and climate change being linked together. Say what?! She also stated it would bring jobs to Wis. She mentioned the Pentagon and CIA were on board and believed in climate change. (Of course!)
Tom Green, from Wind Capital Group located in Madison and elsewhere in the country, supported the bill and promised upwards of 5000 jobs. When asked to extrapolate on the 5000 jobs, he stated they would be created through the supply chain for every megawatt of energy produced. So more short term jobs, the way I understand it. Not one of the Assemblymen asked what seemed to me to be an important question, how many of these 5,000 jobs are long term, how many are short? And of course, his company is pushing General Electric turbines, which are all union jobs, I had to bite my tongue!
Many of the lobbyists were asking for tariffs to establish price certainty. One mentioned that how Alliant Energy has voluntary tariffs.
Will Stahl, chair of Sierra Club, also spoke and definitely got longer than 5 minutes. Huge believer in global warming as he saw glaciers melting and permafrost disappearing in Alaska. I had all I could do to not blurt out, when exactly did you go to Alaska, summer or winter? He went on and on how government should play a role in the transmission of electricity produced by solar and wind, and that this legislation must be passed, as all the "easy" coal is gone and oil is only going to get more expensive. He also stated that climate change problems will become more obvious.
Yet another peddler, a Terry Mulville from Sunny Solutions in Berlin, WI was bragging up his solar space heating apparatus. Get this, over 20 years, they have a whopping 1,000 installs in over 30 countries. The question of what is the payback time for installing such solar panels was asked and his answer was 3-5 years for new construction and 4-7 years or more for retrofits.
Then, the professor emeritus from Lawrence University spoke in favor of the bill. He wants cleaner air for everyone. Oh and he worked for Standard Oil.
The last two men we saw speak were from Sheboygan County. The lawyer was from Random Lake and I didn't catch where the farmer was from. The farmer, unashamed, asked for legislation to be passed so as to force the utility companies to buy wind power from him. Both he and the lawyer stated, we cannot sell the wind, the utility companies don't want to buy it, so please pass legislation so they have to!
There were eight citizens that spoke up against the bill, and one of those was not necessarily against what was in the bill, but rather the rapid pace at which this bill was being fast tracked through. She wanted to at least have some cost analysis done before signing.
So on and on it went. We didn't get called to speak and maybe that was a good thing, because I was just ready to let 'er rip.
I have never been so disgusted at the way these people held their hands out. It left me with the question: "If wind and solar are so great, then why in the heck do we need to mandate it? Why are utility companies refusing to buy the wind power and why are no wind turbine companies selling wind turbines?"
The only obvious answer is that it is not cost effective to set up these farms, period. The taxpayers are expected to foot the bill on yet another boondoggle, just couple that with the high speed rail they will shove down our throats (which according to the Mike Gousha show on Sunday morning would require $16 million/year in subsidies) and just watch this state bite the dust, although it may have already.
The level of ignorance was astounding. You know, we made under $20,000 last year. We have no health care, we do not get help in any way, shape or form. And I would never take it. It is socialism, and I do not expect anyone else to pay for any of our things, but these creatures that have these companies, they just don't have any shame. It is so sickening and so wrong on every level.
I am not overly religious, but after today's session, I understand even more fully the importance of returning God and morals to the forefront of this republic. I wish I had baked some humble pie for these vultures to eat. They sure could use it.
I need to get some sleep, as I was up at 2:45 this morning to get going. I will be glad to answer any questions as best I can. I foresee this bill being passed, unfortunately.
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