A 2011 Wind Technologies Report released by the U.S. Department of Energy in August highlights how dependent wind energy is upon government subsidies.
The report cites government aid as two of the three key factors that contributed to growth in the market in 2011. The continuation of state and federal incentives for wind energy and the ability to meet construction deadlines to qualify for a federal grant program were two of the factors.
The report states that forecasts for 2013 and beyond span a wide range "depending in large measure on assumptions about the possible extension of federal incentives."
The 2010 wind report by the DOE also recognized the importance of federal subsidies to its growth.
"On the other hand, with the window of eligibility for the Treasury Grant program scheduled to close at the end of 2011 (though most projects built in 2012 are also likely to qualify) and with federal tax credits slated to expire at the end of 2012, growth beyond 2012 is highly uncertain," the report said.
The reason for that is obvious, said Paul Chesser, associate fellow of the National Legal and Policy Center.
"Of course it is highly uncertain," he said. "Without government’s help, it would be pretty much extinct.”
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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August 17, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting
Senate Bill 1040, Revise school pension system: Passed 21 to 16 in the Senate
To no longer provide post-retirement health benefits to new school employees, and instead give them a 401(k) contribution equal to 2 percent of their salary. Also, current retirees who are over age 65 on Jan. 1, 2013 would have to contribute 20 percent to the cost of these health benefits, up from 10 percent now. The bill would also authorize “prefunding” these retiree health benefits (despite them being optional and not an enforceable obligation on the state). In addition, current school employees would have to contribute more toward their pensions, or else receive benefits calculated under a less generous formula. The original Senate-passed provision to “close” the school pension system to new hires was not adopted.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 1099, Authorize additional “administrative hearing bureau” penalties : Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate
To allow a local government to garnish the wages of a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by “administrative hearing bureaus” that cities in Wayne County are allowed to create for enforcing property "blight” violations outside of clogged district courts. Other bills in this package would prohibit an owner from getting a building permit or zoning variance, and authorize additional civil and criminal penalties on a property owner.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 4907, Revise candidate filing deadlines to prevent party-switch gamesmanship: Passed 106 to 0 in the House
To set the reelection filing deadline for incumbent legislators (and some other offices) to a date two weeks before the deadline for challengers. If a lone challenger from the other party withdraws, the non-incumbent filing deadline would be extended an additional two days after the regular withdrawal deadline. This is in response to the situation of Rep. Roy Schmidt, who switched parties on the filing deadline date, leaving no Democratic challenger for this legislative district. The bill would also allow local party officials to pick a congressional candidate if a seat becomes vacant soon before the general election, saving the cost of a special primary election. It also extends the deadline for receipt of military and overseas absentee ballots if the local clerk sent these out late.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 1040, Revise school pension system: Passed 57 to 48 in the House
The final House vote on the school pension system bill described above. The bill made significant revisions to the system, but much less than the one in the original Senate-passed version.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Interested in a cumulative list of all weekly Roll Call Report Votes for 2012?
SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit https://www.michiganvotes.org.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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