The following are excerpts from the WV PSC FINAL JOINT STAFF MEMORANDUM, dated May 17, 2012:

“In its latest filing, Pinnacle makes many arguments that Staff believes are largely irrelevant that Staff will not address in this memorandum.  Staff will focus on what it believes to be the main thrust of this case, which is the fact the Pinnacle project is generating unpredicted and objectionable noise. The existence of this unpredicted and objectionable noise has been verified by the Staff Engineer in this case using the most appropriate scientific measuring methodology available, his own ears.”

WV PSC Staff continues:  ”One other issue Staff must address is Pinnacle’s argument this complaint is preventing its permanent financing from closing, thus costing Pinnacle money and adding uncertainty to the certificate process.  Staff would posit that it is not this complaint that is preventing the financing from closing, but the unpredicted and objectionable noise generated by the project.”

Regarding the financial issue raised by Pinnacle owners, the WV PSC Staff suggests that, ”As long as the project is producing this objectionable noise, it is highly subject to complaints both before this Commission and in Circuit Court and as long as there is still a possibility of further complaints, the future operational parameters of this project are in question and the financing will not close.”

Pinnacle’s owners have financial issues?  Really?

Speaking of money … I do wonder if this little skirmish might be holding up a $40 million dollar windfall Pinnacle owners are likely eligible to receive under the 1603 Federal Grant (taxpayer subsidy) program.  It’s not clear if Pinnacle’s owners – Edison Mission –  has moved forward in pursuing the massive taxpayer subsidy, but $40,000,000 is a lot of cash.  Just ask the taxpayers!

But, should they apply for the 1603 funds, another issue surfaces.  In earlier testimony before the WV PSC the project developer’s representative David Friend told the PSC that “no public funding or property tax abatement was involved with this (Pinnacle) Project.“  If that changes, the instruction in the WV PSC Siting Certificate issued to the owners is quite clear:  “In the Application, Pinnacle indicated that the federal government is considering programs that could provide funding to foster the development of renewable energy projects, Pinnacle might seek funding under the program, and if it does so, Pinnacle will promptly make any disclosures required by the Commission’s Siting Rules. It is reasonable to require Pinnacle to advise the Commission if it receives any public funding for the project so that the Commission can reopen this proceeding and perform the Part Two analysis that W. Va. Code 5 24-2- 1 1 c requires.” (WV PSC Siting Certificate)

We are very pleased that the WV PSC Staff is standing up for the neighbors who complain that “The noise from these windmills is so great that it is impossible to live near them.”  These neighbors are to be commended for taking on this quality of life issue.  The WV PSC must insure these folks are protected from this horrible intrusion, regardless of the cost to the large corporation which is making their lives miserable.

Full text of the most Staff Memo here:

Related links:

Braithwaite v Pinnacle Wind, LLC – WV PSC Staff recommends further investigation.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Green-Energy-Has-Residents-Seeing-Red-139138269.html

http://www.newstribune.info/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x550244455/READER-COMMENTARY-Turbine-noise-mars-quality-of-life

http://times-news.com/opinion/x2029126703/Green-Mountain-wind-turbines-not-conducive-to-a-good-sleep

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Then again, the Senator might be on to something.  Seems a similar technology already exists and, with a mere $500,000,000,000.00 grant from Energy Secretary Chu to “fine-tune” it …

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Hey, here’s an idea!  We could get the wind power from the Chinese, the vehicles from Finland and have our Russian friends supply the batteries.  That way we can be sure that absolutely no US Taxpayer money actually stays in this country … uh … sorta like now!

h/t:  Watts Up With That: Postal Service + Wind Farm + Electric Vehicles – What could possibly go wrong?

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Based on information provided by US WindForce LLC, an industrial wind developer, the WV Public Service Commission granted permission to construct a 23 turbine wind project on the Allegheny Ridgeline above Keyser, West Virginia.  The project consists of massive 2.4MW Mitsubishi wind turbines which the project owner was quoted as admitting they “have never used them around homes,” adding, they “didn’t know they made this much noise.“

As regular readers know, the turbines have had a very negative impact on several families residing near the turbines.

Seeking remedy, Keyser resident Richard Braithwaite filed a formal complaint with the WV Public Service Commission against Pinnacle Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Edison Mission Energy.

Project owner, Pinnacle Wind, LLC, requested dismissal of the complaint.  The PSC Staff however, recommends the case proceed.

For your convenience, we’ve included the full text of the Initial Joint (Public Service Commission) Staff Memorandum.

A couple of days ago we posted about Edison Mission Group’s “deteriorating financial conditions.”  In it, we noted that the CEO of EMG’s parent, Edison International, all but told their subsidy to shape up or ship out.

You might recall our surprise that – with all the bluster about how wind is the future of energy and the low cost/high yield promotional hype tossed at taxpayers, consumers and investors – it didn’t seem Edison International was looking to its wind segment to save the day.  Rather, according to the statement in the article, the “development pipeline of potential wind projects has been reduced to 1,300 megawatts from 3,800 megawatts.”  For the purpose of what follows, it’s worth noting that Edison’s decision to reduce commitment to wind came “as a result of capital resource constraints and limited market opportunities.”

According to an article at (Caspar, Wyoming) Trib.com, that little speed bump doesn’t seem to bother a firm that manages teacher retirement accounts.  That investment firm is plopping down some $240 million to partner up with Edison Mission Energy, a subsidiary of the troubled Edison Mission Group, a subsidiary of Edison International.  (Talk about being low on the corporate food chain!)

Seeming to ignore the Edison statement that they’re reducing their wind development pipeline “as a result of as a result of capital resource constraints and limited market opportunities,” the teacher pension investment fund managing director makes this statement, “these investments match TIAA-CREF’s long-term investment focus on infrastructure and energy projects that meet a growing need for energy and that we expect to deliver durable returns.”  HUH?

The result of this (what the hell am I missing) logic is that the Edison Mission Group has found a new revenue stream – Teacher’s pensions.  I find it incredible when I think that a parent company would put its subsidiary on financial life support and an investment firm would expect Teacher’s future financial well-being to serve as the breathing tube.

Maybe it’s different where you’re from, but my teacher friends never made a ton of money.  The security of good benefits, including their retirement, was what helped compensate for the often meager salary.

I sure wouldn’t want my pension dependent on an industry which cannot survive without taxpayer dollars and legislation demanding its use.  Makes you wonder if the Teachers know the condition of Edison Mission Group.  Seems to me the Teachers might want to ask their investment advisors how secure the $240 million investment from their pension will be, should Edison Mission Group’s parent finally kick them out of the house.

Combine this ruling from a lawsuit which was pending during project development, the deterioration of the financial condition of Pinnacle owners – Edison Mission Group – and the suspect benefits touted by the developer and promoted by their fawning enablers, and you might just begin to question the judgement of the rabid supporters of the installation along the Allegheny Front.

We have yet to see the results of the destructive force of these turbines to the fragile habitat along the ridge line and the potential for bat and migratory bird kills resulting from the invasion of these energy impostors.  Sadly, the same pom-pom waving officials didn’t find it necessary to insist that US WindForce seek an incidental take permit, as required under the Endangered Species Act for any project which may kill, displace or harm the endangered species which reside in our area, even though the WV Department of Environmental Protection and the US Fish and Wildlife Service both had strong reservations about the project prior to approval.

My suspicion is that, one day soon, area residents are going question the folks responsible to protect our quality of life for their actions regarding the Pinnacle project.  The same holds true of our local press.

One thing I can guarantee, “ignorance is bliss” will not be an adequate defense!

And what about the claim that industrial wind will replace coal?

Seems evidence from real world performance is quickly replacing industrial wind’s failed promises – just as Jon Boone predicted.

Ultimately, the test will be the ability to generate sufficient cash flows such that it can refinance a sustainable portion of its unsecured debt. If current power market conditions persist, EMG expects to incur further reductions in cash flow and earnings losses in 2012 and beyond.

Current conditions, coupled with pending debt maturities and retrofit investments, will strain EMG’s liquidity such that it may need to divest assets and restructure or reorganize its capital structure to get through this period, to see if option value is indeed there.

We have repeatedly said that EIX will be financially disciplined and not invest new funds into EMG unless we can see a clear and compelling path to obtaining both a return of and on any investment. In the face of deteriorating financial conditions at EMG, we reaffirm that pledge.”

Later in the release, this nugget:  “Lastly, as a result of capital resource constraints and limited market opportunities, the development pipeline of potential wind projects has been reduced to 1,300 megawatts from 3,800 megawatts.”  And all this time I thought wind was the future of energy!

Edison Mission Group is the current owner of the Pinnacle wind facility in Mineral County WV.  Of course, as the wind business collapses, who knows how long that will be the case?

I certainly hope the Edison Mission Group has enough money remaining to correct the horrible noise problems they’ve created for the neighbors of Pinnacle.

Read the full article at this link: Edison International’s CEO Discusses Q4 2011 Results – Earnings Call Transcript

Pennsylvania’s state forests should be managed for pure water, recreation, scenic beauty, plant and animal habitat, and sustainable timber.  Industrial wind turbine projects should not be constructed on state forest lands. While Gallitzin State Forest in Cambria and Somerset Counties does have areas that were mined, many trees have been planted to reclaim this damaged land.  Plant trees, not turbines!

The following petition is receiving signatures from residents of Pennsylvania and friends around the United States who agree that state forests must not be spoiled by industrial wind.

To sign this petition showing your support … click this link, or cut and paste in the address line of your browser:  http://signon.org/sign/save-gallitzin-state?source=c.em.cp&r_by=450001

If you are a resident of Pennsylvania, please vote “NO” on SB 1425.  An industrial wind project should not be sited in Gallitzin State Forest.”

Thank you!

And, that being the case, you’re not likely to find UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement that UK on-shore wind projects have been “over subsidised and wasteful of public money” headlining the pro wind blogs.

The PM’s comment was in response to a letter sent by some 100 members of Parliament telling the Prime Minister that, “In these financially straitened times, we think it is unwise to make consumers pay, through taxpayer subsidy, for inefficient and intermittent energy production that typifies onshore wind turbines.“

With our own exploding debt, you would think our own members of Congress and, especially the White House, would draw the same conclusion?  But, as we said in a recent post, some legislators wish to continue to borrow money from the Chinese to fill the pockets of the wind profiteers.  The Administration, for their part, seem to have green shades for eyelids.

PM Cameron still seems to support industrial wind stating that industrial wind will “ shutter old coal stations” and replace them with “greener” energy like wind” thus reducing greenhouse emissions.  What the Prime Minister seems to ignore is the growing evidence that, in fact, industrial wind fails to replace fossil fuels.

But, even as PM Cameron claims to support industrial wind, his action to reduce subsidies will be a nail in the coffin for this subsidy dependent energy hobo.  Lacking taxpayer funding and legislation demanding their use, this horribly poor performing energy impostor will no longer bring profit to investors and the wind hustlers will simply move on to another scam.

Further, PM Cameron’s decision to support an act which “will give local communities a greater say over issues like wind turbines,” when combined with his position on subsidy reduction could prove disastrous to the wind business.  Industrial wind is proving more and more unpopular with more and more folks becoming NIMBYS as a result of industrial wind’s expansion.  It is easy to criticize a NIMBY, until you become one!

All in all, it seems our our suggestion that, “the greatest threat to the wind industry’s growth is, in fact, the wind industry’s growth,” is playing out, across the planet.  Why, well … industrial wind just won’t work!

Commentary here:  Wind Subsidies vs. Oil Subsidies