Xcel Energy Wind Power Option, Good idea?

[preciousdove]

My energy bill came with a pitch to opt for only paying for MN based wind power. I signed up because there are no 'good' oil companies and I hate that our nuclear power plant is on the Mississippi and stores radioactive waste.

I guess all energy decisions are trade offs. Does anyone think that offering to pay .02 extra per kilowatt to get wind energy is a bad idea?

http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,3080,1-1-2_735_11612-3320-5_538_981-0,00.html

[trotsky]

1. Think of the poor birds!

Ha, just kidding. I assume you know that is one of the right wing's "arguments" against wind power. Yes, they are now environmentalists and sensitive to the flight paths of migratory birds. :eyes:

Seriously though, there is only one incident that I'm aware of where birds were hurt in somewhat significant numbers and that was because someone put a wind turbine in a small area where huge numbers of birds were *known* to come through. I think it was in California somewhere.

In southwest Minnesota, where most of Xcel's windfarms are located, this is not quite an issue.

[greblc]

4. Don't birds die form pollutants?

The bird issue was due to the location of the turbines.

[trotsky]

6. That's sort of the point.

There are so many far greater real threats to bird populations, including logging & other habitat destruction, pollution, etc. that the right wing's claim of concern that wind generators are somehow too dangerous to birds reeks of blatant hypocrisy.

[justinsb]

2. Here in Ontario

The government has programs that the Dems might want to think about - If you are a farmer (or otherwise have alot of land) they will give you tax subsidies to build wind or solar power (to run your farm/home etc) then if you generate extra power, they will buy it from you - giving you some extra income (an important thing for small farmers).

This also spreads out the windmills because putting alot of them in a small area can endager the local ecosystem on the ground.

Just a thought.

Peace,
Justin
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarthU/

[hermetic]

3. I do it but

here is a discussion we had about this issue not too long ago:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x5794

[greblc]

5. I think it's a great Idea...

I am terribly surprised that wind power has been in use for centuries and we are only just beginning too make use of it in this modern age.

[loveable liberal]

7. Dont give them the extra .02..... and heres why...

They are probably mandated by the PUC to have a certain amount of renewable energy built into thier system. As you can also see by the rate increase filing with the PUC they are shifting more of the profit burden from business to residential customers. Information came with your last bill. They are actually decreasing the rate burden on commercial accounts. Look at it this way, if you use more energy your rates will decrease. Northern States Power still owns all thier power plants etc. Xcel is a brokerage house for utilities just like Enron. They should be Phuqued at every turn.