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July 29, 2008
Perfect Symbol Found for Dem Convention
Democrats have found the perfect symbol for their convention: a windmill that doesn't work:
The eastern Colorado wind turbine tapped for the Democratic National Convention's carbon-offset program has one problem: It doesn't generate any electricity. Convention organizers are now being questioned for their eagerness to market those credits to delegates.
The DNC has contracted with Vermont-based NativeEnergy to offer delegates "Green challenge" carbon offsets to soften the environmental impact of convention travel. That money is then invested in carbon-free "green" energy sources around the country, including a wind turbine installed this year by the Wray School District RD-2. But a Face The State investigation reveals the district's turbine has never produced marketable energy due to massive equipment malfunctions.
Nonetheless…
[T]he project has been touted by Gov. Bill Ritter's administration as an example of government innovation in clean energy, with district officials still attempting to reassure residents of the technology's long-term potential. Area residents tell Face The State the blades do turn some days, even though the turbine is not producing electricity. The district Web site reads, "As you note the blades turning evenly in the wind…this 'dream turned into reality' is providing an environmentally safe source of power to our community."
In a feature story in Saturday's Rocky Mountain News, reporter Jerd Smith claimed that 20 percent of Wray's power is generated by what it calls "a windmill that toils day and night producing clean electricity." Smith's report professed that the Wray project is "at the heart" of the DNC's carbon-credit program.
The Rocky report also described the school wind turbine as "a project that generates thousands of dollars for the region's cash-strapped schools," but provided no financial data regarding any energy sales to date.
The windmill demonstrates how the ballyhooed green economy will work:
Despite the fact the wind turbine does not produce energy, that hasn't stopped the district from cashing in on the project. In addition to the carbon credits sold to the DNC and others through NativeEnergy, [Superintendent Ron] Howard says the district receives downtime compensation from Americas Wind Energy, Inc., the firm that built the apparatus. "The money that we're making isn't necessarily coming from production," he said.
Politically correct moonbattery, empty hype backed by media-propagated lies, carbon credit corruption, risible ineffectiveness, economic insanity — the Dems' dysfunctional windmill sums up their party nicely. Where's Don Quixote when you need him?
Hat tip: Michelle Malkin; on a tip from Burning Hot.
Posted by Van Helsing at July 29, 2008 7:45 AM
Comments
Don't forget Hillary's Texas ad with the windmill that had its tail folded to prevent it from working.
Posted by: Lyle at July 29, 2008 8:16 AM
Now it would be really funny if the windmill didn't actually turn on its own, but was electricall powered!
Posted by: Jay Guevara at July 29, 2008 12:38 PM
Wray School District Wind Turbine Project – Update
Sometimes ordinary people who attempt to do extraordinary things encounter unforeseen challenges. The school district in the small, rural town of Wray, CO has faced a few challenges they could not predict in developing their renewable energy project. Their wind turbine, the first large-scale wind turbine in our nation to be owned and operated commercially by a school district, was scheduled to be online by now. But a malfunctioning power converter created unavoidable delays. Replacing this component was further complicated when the U.S. distributor of the Danish-made wind turbine recently changed ownership. The malfunctioning component is now being replaced, so the turbine should be fully operational in early August. The wind turbine will generate electricity, environmental benefits, and educational opportunities, as well as reduced energy costs for the Wray School District.
NativeEnergy’s unique forward stream model brings upfront financing to help new renewable energy projects like the Wray School District wind turbine get built. Once the project achieves commercial operation we purchase the offsets on behalf of our clients. The time period over which the offsets are generated commences after commercial operation is achieved, which, in the case of the Wray School District project will be after the component is replaced on its wind turbine.
This situation clearly demonstrates why new renewable energy projects like this project need upfront capital – including the financing provided by NativeEnergy’s community – to overcome challenges on their path to operation. It also demonstrates that well-designed and financed community-based projects can be successfully developed, and importantly, that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
For more information about our methodology, detailed answers on commonly asked questions relating to carbon offsets, e.g., “How do you estimate how much CO2 pollution is reduced?”, “Are some carbon offsets better than others?”, and “What if my project breaks down?”, please visit our web site at: http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/faq_s/15.php. For our terms and conditions, please visit: http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/terms_and_conditions/93.php
Posted by: Billy Connelly at July 29, 2008 6:47 PM
Billy Connelly
In short, your windmill was CRAP!
Posted by: KHarn at July 30, 2008 3:06 PM
