Comments on: Wind Power Plan: Just More Hot Air

By: Houblog » Blog Archive » Agenda –6/28, the Details and Backup

Houblog » Blog Archive » Agenda –6/28, the Details and Backup — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 00:45:27 +0000

[...] 29. ORDINANCE relating to Energy Legal Services. It looks like it does have something to do with the Mayor’s windmill plan. “The City of Houston has previously engaged two law firms, Andrews Kurth L.L.P. and Locke Liddell & Sapp L.L.P., to provide legal services related to recent energy management initiatives. Services have been provided under an Engagement Agreement (C57252) with Andrews Kurth for $25,000, and by purchase order in the amount of $25,000 issued to Locke Liddell by the Building Services Department. In order to continue these services, the Legal Department recommends that City Council approve a Restated and Amended Agreement with Andrews Kurth L.L .P., establishing a maximum contract amount of $235,000. Under the agreement, Andrews Kurth would continue to assist with issues related to the City’s energy agreement with the Texas General Land Office and Reliant Resources, Inc. The Legal Department further recommends that City Council approve an Agreement for Legal Services with Locke Liddell & Sapp L.L.P., establishing a ma)dmum contract amount of $75,000 . Locke Liddell would continue to assist in drafting documents to create a local government corporation that will be used for diversification of the City’s supply of power and to access the wholesale energy market, and will advise on Internal Revenue Service issues related to possible access to Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS).” So the mayor’s really putting money towards this waste. How many officers could we fund for $360k? The bad part is that it’s not just paying for police wages or training. It’s equipment–and sure as rain, the city will have allowed the logistical end to atrophy too. Even if we produced 1000 new cops tomorrow, we won’t have the vehicles to put them in, the vests to issue, or anything else they should have. [...]

By: ajacksonian

ajacksonian — Mon, 22 May 2006 01:31:49 +0000

And all of the so-called agrarian renewables I find wanting, along with wind and waves and all the rest of such and that started me on the basics of an energy independence policy which needs get closer to the actual source of useful energy. Now some point to the agricultural wonders of Brazil, and it must needs be pointed out that they are neither a First World nation nor do they have the energy consumption rates of such a nation and, indeed, they barter away precious rainforest for land that will support agriculture for scant few years. Popular Mechanics did a fine roundup on energy alternatives, which I reviewed here. Now, to those pointing to the wonders of *buying* ethanol or similar from overseas, the question is: are we not shifting our energy dependence from one source to another in the doing? Luckily, Our Friends to the North are now an petroleum exporting country and will be increasing their output steadily over the next decade. While China and India will both move the masses of their populations into the *middle class* and increase energy useage, we can stopgap this period by doing some things. And thus a stopgap energy policy was developed to tide Us over between now and a final move to reliable energy not to be shut off by any mere spigot. Any new energy source will require a new and/or expanded infrastructure to handle it. The question is: shall We the People look to the past and the land or look to the future and the stars?

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Thu, 04 May 2006 21:50:30 +0000

Steven, I agree, that has got to be THE best line I’ve seen yet on the subject.

By: Steven Den Beste

Steven Den Beste — Thu, 04 May 2006 00:43:18 +0000

One of my readers wrote to me in an email a beautiful summary of what’s wrong with wind power: “Flipping the light switch doesn’t make the wind blow.”

By: ubu

ubu — Tue, 02 May 2006 17:57:50 +0000

Eh, the line was just an excuse to link you and work “grousing” into the sentence. Like newspapers, my ledes can be a bit a of a stretch — although I think I’m a bit more factual. Anyway, I don’t consider myself having input on a story unless I can get actual facts (not just snark) into the post. Of course, I’ve often said a lot despite having no input.

By: zip77077

zip77077 — Tue, 02 May 2006 13:41:23 +0000

You made a comment earlier on blogHouston so I consider that being out in front of me on the story.

I’ll be looking in to this a little more since I have a friend with some feasibility info on wind power in the area. Also, there have recently been a study or two has come out evaluating the impact windmills have on birds. The general conclusion is that windmills are no more dangerous to birds than cars. However, Kenedy County is on a major bird migration route so the number of birds passing through there twice a year is astronomical.