State Rep. Ott ignores energy economics

A letter from Michael Vickerman to the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Just as state Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) rejects science when he denies global warming, he rejects the economics of electricity production (Your opinions, Feb. 18).

He need only look at a utility bill to see the clear impact of wind energy on electricity rates – little to none. For instance, Madison Gas and Electric already has met its 2015 renewable energy quota, and the average household’s electric bill rose only 1.4% a year since 2006, the year the state adopted the current standard. A variety of capital projects fueled the modest increase, new wind generation facilities being only one.

While Ott champions nuclear energy, he overlooks the inconvenient fact that many states don’t have statutory impediments to nuclear construction. Why don’t we see new nuclear plants in those states? It’s simple economics. The crushing cost of new nuclear plants would likely bankrupt any utility reckless enough to commit billions of dollars building the next generation of these white elephants.

Facts, not fantasies, should determine Wisconsin’s energy future.

Michael Vickerman
Executive director
RENEW Wisconsin
Madison