Smart Thinking

As a taxpayer, I appreciate it when I see an elected advocate a genuinely sensible idea. LaPorte County Recorder Barbara Dean has one that should be seriously considered http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=16384&TM=18519.89

Investing in a wind turbine that would provide some “green” power is actually a pretty good idea.  It could provide some electrical power to the county to reduce future energy bills  and serve as a good example to other LaPorte County citizens who are concerned about both energy and environment.  Using taxpayer money to sharply reduce LaPorte County government energy consumption through sensible energy conservation projects coupled with cutting edge power generation is the best way to fight a NIPSCO price increase.  Sharply cut the demand, allow more free market competition to counter NIPSCO’s government created monopoly, and let basic supply and demand economics do their job.  A wind turbine certainly is a much, much better investment of taxpayers’ dollars than paying out huge legal fees so that County Attorney Friedman can create the illusion of fighting a NIPSCO rate increase.

There are plenty of other areas where sensible investments could generate some real long term benefits.  If you come down to the Mill Pond Festival on August 23-24, take a look at the dam and the road going into the park.  Because of age and deterioration, the ”black hole” that serves as the dam gate is going to require replacement and reconstruction.  Instead of just replacing it, perhaps someone should look at the potential for a small hydroelectric generator installation.   The water flow over that dam certainly has the potential to generate some green power 24/7 if we are smart enough to take advantage of it. There probably are a number of other areas in LaPorte County where hydroelectric power might make sense.

Unfortunately, ideas like wind energy turbines will likely be killed off before they even start because of the “ban everything” crew that exists in LaPorte County.  The unelected Plan Commission has already passed a wind energy ordinance

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=16426&TM=21216.54 

Although a multimodal train yard is bearing down on Union Mills full throttle, LaPorte County Government seems oblivious to the “vibration” and pollution potential that will inflict on the residents of Union Mills.  But before a company can even start to study LaPorte County potential for wind energy, the LaPorte County Planner is already waving the regulatory red flag. 

God save us from the planners.

This entry was posted on 3. August 2008 at and is filed under Energy, Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.