The States Power Down: Ambitious renewables mandates by local governments are eroding the electric grid’s reliability, with alarming consequences.

City Journal ^ | Winter 2023 | Steven Malanga

[karpov]

Vermont is one of the nation’s most environmentally friendly states. But two years ago, the backers of a local wind-energy farm shelved the project after intense public opposition. An initiative supporter noted how the controversy reflected rising hostility to wind power. Whereas a decade ago, ambitious developers had planned a dozen renewable-energy projects in Vermont, by 2020, most had either folded or failed to win regulatory approval. “This is truly a sad state of affairs for Vermont,” the CEO of a green-energy firm said, while pointing out that the state has mandated that 75 percent of its power should come from renewable energy within a decade.

Vermont isn’t alone. Dozens of states have enacted renewable-energy standards, with some seeking to run completely on such fuel—a category encompassing hydroelectric-, solar-, and wind-generated power—within a few decades, despite the massive technological and infrastructure challenges that presents. Many ambitious mandates passed with only muted objections, partly because their consequences seem so far-off. When citizens have looked at the scale and type of projects necessary to retrofit the American power grid, though, resistance has exploded. Public campaigns have now held up hundreds of green projects around the country. In some states, the pushback is so fierce that legislatures are enacting laws that make it easier for communities to opt out of the projects. Combined with other obstacles, including lumbering state and federal regulatory bureaucracies and global supply-chain disruptions, the shifting political situation has slowed America’s energy transition to a crawl.

Even as these delays worsen, the energy plants that supply America with most of its current power—especially fossil fuel and nuclear generators—are closing faster than anticipated. As states passed green-energy mandates, utilities moved rapidly to shut some traditional plants because of perceived regulatory hostility.

[rktman]

Thankfully NevaDUH is pushing ahead to be 100% renewable by 2050 with 50% goal for 2035. It’s the law. Not sure what the consequences are if they don’t meet their targets. I DO know that NVenergy is allowing me to help though. On their averaging plan for several years now. Was $131 last year this month then they raised it to $152/mth around June and I just got a notice it will be going to $221/mth starting in April. Glad I’m on their averaging plan. It could be a lot worse though. 😵‍💫

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

**Vermont is one of the nation’s most environmentally friendly states.***

Interesting that H.P. Lovecraft wrote of these areas as the equivalent of a backwoods hillbilly area.

[milagro]

Green energy is actually RED!

[ridesthemiles]

And-—They want a pony & unlimited steak & ice cream for life——

BRAINS are mush.

[qaz123]

But two years ago, the backers of a local wind-energy farm shelved the project after intense public opposition.

---

Allow me to translate.....Liberal retirees don’t want to see their “postcard towns” in the Green Mountains or Lake Champlain dotted with windmills. They don’t mind of the atrocities are put in some else’s neighborhood or vast swaths of forest are clear cut for the towers, but better not ruin their views.

[qaz123]

A few more things.....that some probably don’t know about Vermont.

It has a horrible pill/opioid problem.

Pretty Republican state, believe it or not, given who the two Senators are. But, it’s also one big Ski Resort and College town, ergo, lots of liberals living there and relocating there to live/work in the ski towns and picturesque New England towns....that are as WHITE as any town can get.

[Vaduz]

You want it we have it
Developers Inc.

[butlerweave]

Green = Scam