The Mailbag Calls
Wind energy continues to draw the most heat from readers when its recent pushback over negative press took center stage recently. The pro-nuclear readers seem to be the most vocal when the subject gets raised.
"The United States needs an energy policy based on science and economics. Until we have that nothing will make sense," wrote one reader.
"Wind is intermittent. Nuclear is continuous. The fossil fuels are continuous. Solar is available about half the time, but that time is at a high demand period so it has a place. Hydro can be either," he continued.
"Many things need to be included in a national energy policy. Most legislators have little or no knowledge of any of the factors and don't want to get involved. They have been pushed into supporting "green" by a vocal minority. The majority knows next to nothing about the subject. Those that really do know about it tend to be scholarly and therefore less vocal," he concluded.
Another reader took aim at the role of government in energy.
"Wind is not the scam that we have with corn based ethanol, but it's close. Wind goes in when there are large subsidies or mandates, and it requires substantial backup from conventional energy sources. It usually requires new inefficient combustion gas plants to cover when the wind is too weak or too strong," he said.
When we reported on the recent fact-finding trip a solar power organization sponsored to Japan, readers were quick to point out the differences between the Land of the Rising Sun and the United States, particularly Japan's lack of domestic supply.
"Japan is far less "secure" in terms of energy self-sufficiency. As such, they are forced to monetize (directly or indirectly) their exposure as an economic fact-of-life...a consideration that naturally makes `alternatives' somewhat more attractive in Japan than in the U.S.
"Economic facts-of-life are important....but they are not universal. What, do you suppose, would land-starved Japan do if they had the known oil, coal and natural gas reserves resident in the U.S.? My guess is that they would make the most of those resources first -- and add nuclear --before committing billions in subsidies to an immature, sliver-sized energy wannabe `industry'," this reader concluded.
The editorial staff at RenewablesBiz.com is passionate about exchanging ideas and dedicated to promoting ongoing conversation about renewables and sustainable energy issues. We invite you to join and contribute to our online community. If you have an idea for an article or editorial contribution, please contact me via email, bopalka@energycentral.com, or phone, 860.633.0090.
