Europe's utilities are feeling the political heat. Spain's surprise announcement this week of a wholesale review of energy policy puts in doubt planned tariff increases and the future of renewable energy subsidies. There is also near-term regulatory uncertainty in France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. No wonder European utilities stocks have underperformed the market by around 20 % this year. The uncertainty is likely to linger for a while yet. Europe's large cash-generative utilities are an obvious target for governments looking to plug holes in their finances. But the industry also has to make massive investment in new capacity to replace aging plants and meet environmental goals. Europe is committed to cutting carbon-dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020, reducing energy consumption by the same amount and meeting 20% of its energy needs from renewable resources. In the U.K. alone the bill is put at £200 billion ($301.5 billion) or more.

May 09, 2010
Not too long ago, just days after Jefferson County legislators approved a sweetheart payment in lieu of taxes deal for the Galloo Island Wind Farm, they unanimously rejected a proposal for offshore wind towers being floated by the New York Power Authority. The hypocrisy of this decision was obvious then, and it remains obvious now. But now, some legislators are wailing and gnashing their teeth over NYPA's decision not to purchase wind-generated power, at least until it gets some resolution to its offshore power proposal.

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NONPOLLUTING SOURCES: Public power panel mulls anaerobic digesters, biomass for homes
NANCY MADSEN, WATERTOWN TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010

CAPE VINCENT — A local group interested in developing renewable energy opportunities isn't stopping with wind. The St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which won a $99,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study for a community wind farm in the town, met Thursday night to discuss some other renewable energy options. "We do need some other source of energy that wouldn't pollute and not carry the political tension," said Hester M. Chase, organizer of the association.
The session was organized by the Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council.

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Today I delivered the following letter to the Lyme Town Board and the Lyme Planning Board in order to assist in clarifying and resolving the conflicts that exist before we take up the revision of our wind law.  Please read my letter and if you are in agreement, please write or email the Town Board members to let them know how you feel about this.  As in all political decisions numbers matter!
Thanks,
Bert

March 17, 2010

Supervisor Aubertine
Members of the Lyme Town Board
Mr. Paul Norton, Chairman
Members of the Lyme Planning Board

Re: Ethical Considerations Regarding the Revision of Lyme’s Wind Facilities Law

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It will be of the utmost importance to take steps to insure that any deliberations
and any decisions made regarding the proposed law governing the siting of wind
turbines in the Town of Lyme be conducted in a way as to be free of any
influence or perceived influence by wind developers or those who have signed
contracts with wind developers.  It is clear from the situation in our neighboring
community of Cape Vincent that all of the proceedings there with respect to wind
turbines have been tainted by corruption fostered by the actions of the wind
developers.  We must do everything we can to avoid any perception that Lyme’s
decisions are similarly tainted.

Attachments:

File
Letter to Lyme Supervisor regarding Wind Ethics from Albert Bowers, Lyme Residen