That is incorrect. The subsidies were discontinued for new windmills only. See http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-09/wind-energy-companies-prepare-for-tax-credits-end
The tax credit lasts for 10 years after a project is complete, so most of the wind energy produced in the U.S. will continue to receive federal support for at least a few more years. And any wind turbine that was under construction before the end of last year will still get a full decade of credits. But projects that get under way from now on won’t qualify for the benefits.
Ben Ficklin also said "All these external costs of burning coal get socialized".
Unfortunately all the external costs of my wood stove are socialized as well. I use it in part because of the shutting down of coal plants raising my electric rates. The coal electric plant is a point source and a lot of pollution can be controlled at the source. That is not true with my wood stove.
Brilliantly put. Thank you.
Even though subsidies for new windmills have stopped I am certain the crazies in Washington will institute various new programs to keep the taxpayer funds flowing to these Green fantasies.
The reason Texas goes for wind is that the state is going to grow and needs to lower emissions.
Who knows? The Texas delegation is very powerful in the GOP. Maybe they can get these wind subsidies re-instated. And retroactive.
Very interesting, thanks for the post about the PTC ending. I suspect that it will get extended yet again though. I’d sure like to see the wind industry stand on it’s own two feet.