Shut Down for U.S. Wind Energy? Unlikely

May 28, 2007 – Vol.12 No.10

SHUT DOWN FOR U.S. WIND ENERGY? UNLIKELY.

The US House of Representatives is considered the more radical, freewheeling of the two chambers of Congress. But much of the legislation brought to its floor never makes it to the Senate or the President’s desk.

Why the radicalism in the House? Quite simply, being larger than the Senate, being closer to the people and industry it’s easier to gain access to lawmakers.

(Cheaper, too, if you consider that campaign contributions open the door to political influence on Capitol Hill. Representatives need less money to get reelected than Senators. A smaller contribution will open the door.)

Why is legislation more easily squelched in the House? Again, Representatives are closer to voters and special interest groups.

(Yet the ease with which legislation can be halted in the House doesn’t mean constituents and lobbying organizations can sit back and do nothing. They still have to work hard to fight legislation, or something they don’t like might sneak through the door.)

Provisions in H.R. 2337 introduced by House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) would make wind turbine construction and operation a criminal offense for the owner of the property on which it is installed. Landowners could face up to one year in jail or a $50,000 penalty for constructing or operating an uncertified wind turbine.

According to this bill, any wind turbine, from small turbines for battery charging up to megawatt class, grid-connected machines would have to be certified by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to avoid the possibility of a criminal offense.

Under the provision, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) would be directed to begin the certification process for wind projects still in the planning stages as well as turbines already in service. Inspectors of the USFWS would be able visit a turbine site without notice.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that if enacted - passed in the House and the Senate and signed into law by the President - would shut down the US wind energy industry.

Passage of the the legislation is unlikely, however: Can you imagine General Electric, for instance, which is doing so well selling turbines in the US, being willing to walk away from the profit making business? Still the AWEA wants wind supporters and other stakeholders to get involved in stopping the anti-wind energy provisions of H.R. 2337. You can do so through a special AWEA legislative action website at http://capwiz.com/windenergy/home/