Comments on: WV Division of Energy Sponsors Renewable Energy Conference https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2016/05/13/wv-division-of-energy-sponsors-renewable-energy-conference/ Just another WordPress site Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: S. Thomas Bond https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2016/05/13/wv-division-of-energy-sponsors-renewable-energy-conference/#comment-187653 S. Thomas Bond Sat, 14 May 2016 12:55:09 +0000 http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=17336#comment-187653 It is good to see that wind is now the cheapest way to generate electricity, by Fawcett's figures. Undoubtedly the externalized cost of coal and gas are ignored, such things as health effects and environmental effects, reduction in property values and effects on adjoining businesses. Actually, it is mitigation of health effects (SO2, mercury, other toxics) and water contamination, finally being recognized, that are killing coal. I would like to see how they breakdown the cost of solar. If one follows the scientific literature, solar is not near the bottom of its cost at present. New efficiencies are constantly coming along. The real cost is manufacture, installation and maintenance. Are the abandoned strip mines being considered for solar? Cattle could be run around below the solar panels, too, giving a dual use for the land. It is good to see that wind is now the cheapest way to generate electricity, by Fawcett’s figures. Undoubtedly the externalized cost of coal and gas are ignored, such things as health effects and environmental effects, reduction in property values and effects on adjoining businesses. Actually, it is mitigation of health effects (SO2, mercury, other toxics) and water contamination, finally being recognized, that are killing coal.

I would like to see how they breakdown the cost of solar. If one follows the scientific literature, solar is not near the bottom of its cost at present. New efficiencies are constantly coming along. The real cost is manufacture, installation and maintenance. Are the abandoned strip mines being considered for solar? Cattle could be run around below the solar panels, too, giving a dual use for the land.

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