We must evaluate alternative power sources with scrutiny
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has unleashed a storm of controversy among environmentalists over windmills, but we think he is using a commonsense approach.
Alexander has introduced legislation that would restrict tax credits for new windmills, and he has asked TVA to place a moratorium on new windmills.
Alexander’s bill would give local governments veto power over wind farm projects and require environmental impact statements for windmill construction in offshore areas and within 20 miles of certain scenic areas, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and military bases.
Jaime Steve, a lobbyist for the American Wind Energy Association, said wind energy could bring up to 4,500 new jobs and $4.2 billion in investment to the state in the next five or six years.
Alexander released a statement that said his bill would protect scenic areas and give local citizens more control.
“As for jobs,” he said, “every Tennessee job is important, but I fear that hundreds of these giant windmills across Tennessee’s ridges could destroy our tourism industry, which could cost us tens of thousands of jobs.
“My studies suggest that, at a time when America needs large amounts of low-cost, reliable power, wind produces puny amounts of high-cost unreliable power,” he said. “We need lower prices; wind power raises prices.”
We believe Alexander has raised some serious questions about the effectiveness and efficiency of wind power. While we understand the importance of focusing on new forms of energy to reduce reliance on oil, we agree with Alexander’s premise that we must go about it wisely.
“I hope we decide that we need a real national energy policy instead of a national windmill policy,” Alexander said.