Revolution Mythbusters #3

Wind Power Makes You Sick

In this 12 part, quick-fire Mythbusters series, Revolution author Todd Westbrook dispels the myths and misconceptions that surround the wind power movement. This time, Todd tackles the idea that wind power is expensive…

MYTH: WIND POWER IS EXPENSIVE

Todd says:
Among the population at large, there are those who believe the ‘greening’ of electricity on its own justifies ongoing investment via the Renewables Obligation and that any associated benefits are simply an added bonus. But there are also of course other opinions: some are adamant zero public spending should be devoted to curbing emissions and it should be left to the free market to regulate itself; there are arguments about the relative merits of the existing flat-rate consumer levy compared with the alternative of meeting the cost of the carbon fight via the more progressive route of the tax system; there are associated debates both genuine and frivolous about the efficacy of wind, the role of nuclear, the reality of climate change, what possible difference a small country like Scotland can make to what is a global problem. Onshore wind over its lifetime is currently the cheapest way to produce utility-scale electricity from a newbuild power technology. That’s all, no matter how you slice it.

Next time: Todd takes on costing…