This material was sent us by professor Charles A. Hall
—– Original Message —–
From: “Charles A. Hall” <chall@esf.edu>
To: <jlcabot@syr.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:23 AM
Subject: FW: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Thank you Josh, interesting.

—–Original Message—–
From: Joshua Lee Cabot [mailto:jlcabot@syr.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:40 PM
To: Charles A. Hall
Subject: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Hello Dr. Hall,

You spoke last Thursday at Professor Callahan’s Business &
Sustainability course at Syracuse’s Whitman School.  I’m part of the
class and spoke to you at the end regarding a Wyoming power company’s
decision to phase out its coal contracts and move more towards a
wind-based portfolio.  Found a few articles about this and have pdf’ed
and attached them herein for you.

Thanks again for your time.

Regards,

Josh Cabot
Graduate Student
Architecture
—————————–

From:        chall at esf.edu
Subject:     FW: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants
Date:     February 15, 2008 7:03:04 PM EST

An interesting response to the Wyoming wind story from my colleague
Michael Jefferson in England.  I am amazed by how almost every energy
issue has two (or more) sides. Is everything we do subsidized by fossil
fuels?   Where is the truth?
One thing obvious to me is that the INCREASE in oil, gas AND Coal in
most recent years (generally 1 or more %) is greater than the TOTAL of
the new solar (photovoltaics and wind).  Is/will peak oil change this?
We have a long way to go… Charlie

—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Jefferson [mailto:jeffers@dircon.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 3:20 AM
To: Charles A. Hall
Subject: Re: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Charlie,

I could tell you another side of the wind energy story from the UK
angle - a huge gravy train, excessive returns to investors, foreign
nationals jumping on it too - from tax havens which their past fossil
fuel gains have funded, huge subsidies from electricity consumers, carbon
avoidance costs of US $ 400 per tonne carbon (grid average basis). These
comments from Ofgem reports and personnel. Result: latest year for which
figures available, 2006, showed wind energy contributing 1.07% of UK
electricity generation.

Meanwhile, industry trade association tries to block informed
criticism, screams from the rooftops when it can’t prevent it, broadcasts massively
exaggerated claims and distorted figures, and generally behaves in a manner
reminiscent of the old Global Climate Coalition.

Major critics include UK government agencies with responsibilities
in  the field - Office of Gas & Electricity Markets (Ofgem), Carbon Trust,
and National Audit Office.

What I have written on this is mostly too long for circulation, and is
anyway pending in two forthcoming journal papers, but it does not make
happy reading.

There are some calmer voices in Denmark and Germany which also emit
cautionary tales.

Thought you ought to know! Balance in everything …

Best wishes,

Michael