The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

Calculating the unsuitability of solar panels and wind generators for use in public utility grid power involved Boolean algebra and Aristotelian logic and runs something like this: solar panels don't work when the sun don't shine and wind generators don't gen when the wind don't blow and selling power from such a shaky setup is real risky--kinda like handing your teenager the car keys and a six pack.

Billionaire T. Boone Pickens invested a few million in wind before he figured this out, but he managed to sell out. The Obama administration plunked a chunk into Solyndra but that worked out OK because the taxpayers will pay off the few billions squandered there (as well as a dozen other "green" failures). And the Cowlitz PUD commissioners' adventure into wind farms will be bravely paid for by the ratepayers of Cowlitz County with their stunning 18 percent rate increase. Of course a few income challenged residents will choose to sit in the cold and dark instead of paying, but that's just poor sportsmanship. And the commissioners are going to make up for it by dumping a few million into conservation, rather than letting individuals plug up their own leaks and drafts.

Heroes are kinda scarce in this sad saga but there are some. Kudos to the city fathers of Cathlamet who investigated putting a wind farm on our local hilltop, but wisely opted out. Discretion is indeed the better part of valor.

Howard Brawn

Puget Island