The Institute for Energy Research examines the Picken Plan for wind power energy as a solution to our energy problem.

Pitfalls in the Pickens Plan

“The Pickens plan relies on special government mandates and subsidies to pick the pockets of American taxpayers and ratepayers,� Bradley said. “Wind power is inefficient, unreliable, expensive, and a burden to the electricity grid. Natural gas vehicles are a niche product at best. As such, this plan is Robin Hood in reverse: taking from average Americans to subsidize wealthy political entrepreneurs. Finally, the Pickens Plan misdirects the public and policymakers from real solutions: less government for more abundant and affordable energy.�

Wind power currently provides about one-third of 1 percent of all energy consumed in the United States. Though wind power has increased substantially since 1970, it constitutes only about 1 percent of all electricity generated in the U.S. Virtually all of this increase is government-mandated, not the result of voluntary consumer choices. The wind industry will collapse if state-level mandates and federal tax credits are repealed or allowed to expire, leaving the question of how the huge turbines are to be dismantled.

Read IER’s complete analysis follows, and is available online here: Pitfalls in the Pickens Plan.

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