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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Study says wind turbines, solar farms could spike energy prices, cause job losses

North Carolina’s renewable energy mandate will cause a spike in electric bills and the loss of more than 43,000 jobs by the end of the decade, a new study contends.

Dozens of solar energy projects with thousands of panels glistening by the roadsides have been constructed in northeastern North Carolina in counties such as Pasquotank and Currituck. A 22,000-acre wind turbine farm – the largest in the southeastern United States – is under construction west of Elizabeth City.

North Carolina law requires that 12.5 percent of the energy produced comes from renewable power sources by 2021. It is the only mandate of its kind in the Southeast, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Virginia has a voluntary goal of 15 percent renewable energy by 2025.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

turbines going up in Crisfield

Anonymous said...

Very excited to finally see all the turbine parts have arrived in Crisfield. Can't wait to see the project finished. Say what you will about it but I guarantee it will bring folks into town to see it.

Anonymous said...


They could put in a stoplight and attract as many gawkers!

They are a form of visual pollution when located in scenic areas. Not the panacea they're touted as.

Wind and solar can provide energy but require a lot of energy to manufacture and install.

Our real answer is to focus on nuclear for the bulk of electric production and then to supplement with other energy sources to handle peaks.

We're driven by fear and politics.

Anonymous said...

Planet>jobs

Anonymous said...

2:26 when they can properly dispose of the waste, then we can discuss.
Nuclear is a toxic mess and they take short cuts which is 100 times worse than solar or wind.

How did that all work out for Russian and Japan?

Anonymous said...

3:41
Both solar and wind often require more back-up energy from gas or coal than they generate. In simple terms: they are a fraud from our politicians without scientific basis.

Nuclear is clean. The problems in Russia and Japan were the result of using 1940's technology.

Anonymous said...

Thank Obama, the DEMS and of course the EPA.

Anonymous said...

This is the reality of renewables. Wind and solar cost more, a lot more. In Germany, people can no longer afford electricity and business are abandoning the country for new locations with cheaper energy.

Anonymous said...

2:26
Nuclear Energy?

Wow. It is inherently dangerous . . . FOREVER!
I suggest you read a bit about nuclear energy.
You might start with the Fukushima event of March 11, 2011.

Then read about the Indian River plant.

Anonymous said...

4:22
The Indian River Plant is a coal plant, not nuclear.

Nuclear is by far the safest (and cleanest) method of large scale power production. The Fukushima Plant was 1940's technology.

You are really ignorant.