Wind Energy is a Bunch of Hot Air

I am all for renewable energy and a clean earth. But let's not check our brains at the door.

Pres. Obama says he wants to double our renewable energy supply. Okay, I'm fine with that, but that's nothing new. Former Pres. Bush accomplished just that from 2005-2007. Amazingly, we didn't here about that in the press. So really what Pres. Obama wants to do is keep pace with Bush. Good for him.

Now, here's the reality check. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the total solar and wind output for 2008 produced about 1.1% of America's total electricity consumption. Doubling it won't make a dent in our energy supply.

You say, "Well, doubling it can't hurt." You would be right, but that's like saying opening lemonade stands on every corner and giving the money to Fedzilla will bring down the national debt. It's worthy...can't hurt...might make us all feel good..., but it would come close to solving our energy needs.

The truth is that wind and solar energy is an inadequate and unreliable source for our energy needs. The Institute of Energy Research reports that "typical statements about how a wind unit can produce enough electricity to serve a large number of homes are misleading" (www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/facts-on-energy-wind).

What's the solution? Nuclear power - it's mega-efficient, clean (even the waste can be reused), and get this - it costs less per kilowatt than all the others cost (wind, solar, coal, natural gas, and oil).

Note: You may have heard that wind power is more cost effective, but what you're not being told is that it can only match nuclear power efficiency when it is subsidized by the government.

Forget the lemonade...let's have some yellow cake!