Tomorrow’s rustbelt

Posted 2/14/18

Tomorrow’s rustbelt

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Tomorrow’s rustbelt

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There is an old saying that those who forget the past are destined to repeat it.  Those of us with more than a few decades under our belts can testify to the accuracy of that saying.  

History does, in fact, repeat itself but not always in identical ways.  In DeWitt County today, we are again hearing the age-old promises of free and vast, easy money that will benefit us beyond our wildest dreams.  There is another old saying that, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  Somehow, the money never seems to measure up to the promises, and the hidden cost of getting that money is always much higher than expected.

We are being told by those pushing the wind farm industry that theirs is the energy of the future and that we should be eager to get on board with this future miracle.  We are somehow supposed to miss out on something wonderful if we do not.  No less of a figure than Warren Buffet has gone on record saying that without the government subsidies, there would be no profits for the wind farm industry.  Let no one doubt that the day will come when those subsidies do, in fact, run out.  When that day comes, those wonderful wind turbines will instantly become yesterday’s technology.

America is presently covered with the decaying remnants of forgotten industries.  Everyone knows what is meant whenever someone mentions our “rust belt.”  Today, it is difficult for most to imagine what those shining, white towers of technology will look like in 20 years.  Once the profits have run out and new technology has moved to other fields, I do no doubt that maintenance of those towers will be discontinued.  When that happens, those massive, sleek machines will rapidly degrade into expensive junk.  Where will the leaders of this wind energy be then?  No doubt, they will be somewhere very nice and expensive enjoying their fortunes and laughing at our shortsightedness.

In my mind, I can see our future.  It is covered with giant, rusting derelicts as far as the eye can see.  The future may appear bright for the wind industry, but it will appear rusty and obscene for our children.

Paul Williams

Kenney