Face The State Staff Report
WRAY - The eastern Colorado wind turbine tapped for the Democratic National Convention's carbon-offset program has one problem: It doesn't generate any electricity. Convention organizers are now being questioned for their eagerness to market those credits to delegates.
WrayPost.com/Used with permission
The DNC has contracted with Vermont-based NativeEnergy to offer delegates "Green challenge" carbon offsets to soften the environmental impact of convention travel. That money is then invested in carbon-free "green" energy sources around the country, including a wind turbine installed this year by the Wray School District RD-2. But a Face The State investigation reveals the district's turbine has never produced marketable energy due to massive equipment malfunctions.
The school district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the wind turbine February 15th. Officials soon discovered, however, that the turbine was incapable of producing its intended output. "We flipped it back off and on about 10 times since then," said Superintendent Ron Howard. "It has run, it will run, but it won't ramp itself up to full capacity."
In the meantime, the project has been touted by Gov. Bill Ritter's administration as an example of government innovation in clean energy, with district officials still attempting to reassure residents of the technology's long-term potential. Area residents tell Face The State the blades do turn some days, even though the turbine is not producing electricity. The district Web site reads, "As you note the blades turning evenly in the wind...this 'dream turned into reality' is providing an environmentally safe source of power to our community."
In a feature story in Saturday's Rocky Mountain News, reporter Jerd Smith claimed that 20 percent of Wray's power is generated by what it calls "a windmill that toils day and night producing clean electricity." Smith's report professed that the Wray project is "at the heart" of the DNC's carbon-credit program.
The Rocky report also described the school wind turbine as "a project that generates thousands of dollars for the region's cash-strapped schools," but provided no financial data regarding any energy sales to date.
Howard says the turbine requires replacement equipment, which is scheduled to be installed this month. "It's a new technology, so they don't have the bugs out of it," he said. "Since there's so many people watching [the turbine], they might be better served to go to a more reliable model."
State Sen. Greg Brophy, a Wray Republican, says residents feel let down by town leaders. "Most of the people out here were very excited about it," he said. "But nobody likes to be misled. The 'green' DNC convention is an absolute sham."
Despite the fact the wind turbine does not produce energy, that hasn't stopped the district from cashing in on the project. In addition to the carbon credits sold to the DNC and others through NativeEnergy, Howard says the district receives downtime compensation from Americas Wind Energy, Inc., the firm that built the apparatus. "The money that we're making isn't necessarily coming from production," he said.
When asked to quantify those payments, Howard would only describe them as "substantial." While the details of school district contracts and finances are public information, Howard refused to disclose that information. "I'm not going to tell you how much money we are receiving from AWE while we're waiting for this thing to run," he said. Face The State has since requested documents from the district under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Howard is similarly tight lipped on the district's income from carbon offsets. "I'm also not going to tell you how much we got from the sale of the green tax for green energy," he said. "That's all there is to it."
Carbon Credits
On July 29th, 2008 Rubicon says:
To those knocking the "carbon credit" industry. Please do not reveal this scam for what it is. Please do not knock this concept.
I want to sell many carbon credits to as many idiots as are willing to spend their hard earned dollars on them.
A fool & his money is soon separated. Let the fool's buy my credits & let me become wealthy or at least comfortable.
My sales of coastal ocean front properties in New Mexico have been great as many idiots who buy into the Global Warming meme, who buy into the open borders travesty, and the empty rhetoric of hope & change one of our socialist presidential candidates are selling, all seem willing to spend money on these worthy (sic) projects. After all, they are spending their money on socially worthy projects, right? Right?
CO2 levels in the atmosphere rise, AFTER, the temperature rises, and typically the CO2 rises only take about 300 to 800 YEARS AFTER temperatures rise! Those same CO2 levels also drop, typically 300 to 800 YEARS AFTER temperatures drop. Over 31,000 American scientists whose disciplines are in the ecology, climatology, & environmental fields, have now signed the "Oregon Petition" demanding the UN IPCC & all others pushing the Global Warming / Climate Change agenda, explain why there is no proven science to support their claims. A list of international scientists is currently being populated, but could reach up to 500,000.
Global Warming / Climate change is simply put, a political movement disinterested in the environment but with serious intentions to effect a socialist one world order, which they, of course, will run, as others march lockstep into the abyss of stupidity!
pleasetelltheruth
On July 29th, 2008 mickeym says:
Dear Please, carbon offsets work like this; You use gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, coal generated electricity, etc. You create carbon dioxide byproduct. To compensate for your CO2 emissions, you pay someone who creates little or no CO2 to compensate for your excessive CO2. This is why I offer to ease your conscience by selling you my super inexpensive carbon credits. I use very small amounts of carbon based materials, I offer to allow you to purchase some of my capacity. Simple, isn't it? It is also the biggest lie ass scam of our time! I mean what a CROCK! As someone stated earlier, CO2 is not a pollutant. It comes out of your nose with each exhaled breath. The earth warms and cools in concert with the level of sunspot activity on the star in our solar system commonly known as the sun. Still, if these morons wish to purchase offsets, I am more than happy to sell them mine at a very modest rate. Do you want some?
carbon offsets
On July 29th, 2008 mickeym says:
The concept of offsets comes from people like Owlgore. These people preach global warming caused by man, primarily Americans and other capitalists using fossil fuels for the betterment of mankind in general, which produces CO2. They allege that CO2 generated by these capitalists is warming the planet to destruction. This is arrogant foolishness, of course. Rush Limbaugh rightly said in his first book, and I paraphrase because it has been many years since I read it, "It is the height of arrogance for mankind to believe that he can destroy what God has made." Anyway, Owl boy and his catastrophe cohorts use tremendous quantities of CO2 producing substances which allegedly makes them feel guilty. They purchase "offsets" to assuage the guilt. The truth is, they buy these "offsets" from shell companies that they themselves own thereby making themselves look good while not really spending a dime. Then they pressure others to by these scam ass things and make themselves massive amounts of cash. The real aim of the war on "global warming" is; A)Getting filthy rich, B)Bringing an end to capitalism, and C) Ushering in a new era of socialism/communism in which the "progressives"/"environmentalists" rule the world dictating all that the rest of us may and may not do while the ruling elitists do as they please. So, in conclusion, everybody eat some beans and work up a good fart, (methane), grab some empty milk jugs and some diesel fuel, head out in the back yard and burn it. Screw Owl boy and his ilk!
Carbon Offsets
On July 29th, 2008 pleasetellthetruth says:
Exactly what are carbon offsets? How does this work?
Broken Turbine
On July 29th, 2008 pleasetellthetruth says:
It does not work. What's the problem with admitting that it does not work. All the explainations and excuses in the world will not alter the truth
A lie is a lie. I wish it worked. It doesn't... just admit it and move on to positive action.
Why must so many people on our planet spin the truth.
Why try to to conceal the truth?
I believe that the truth will set you free. Recognizing and admitting your failures will enable you to move toward a more positive course of action.
Does anyone disagree with this logic?
carbon credits
On July 29th, 2008 mickeym says:
I have millions of dollars in carbon credits for sale. All earth loving "democrats" should call me for the deal of a lifetime on carbon credits. At the unbelievable low price of $2,500.00 each, these credits compensate for 10 days of your excessive use of carbon based products. Get yours today while they last. When these are gone, I won't have anymore until January. Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!!
Know the Whole Story
On July 29th, 2008 truthslayer says:
This is a political fight between parties. Wray School District needed to find a way to generate $'s during tight budget times. Through hard work and collaboration of a whole community (leaving politics behind), the wind turbine project was started and is now nearing completion. Will it benefit the school district and the town? YES!! Is the turbine a good source of renewable energy? YES!! Native Energy stepped in and helped finance the project through green tags. That does not mean that they are producing more pollution because they bought these, it simply helps out a school and a community that could not complete the project without their help. The DNC and Native Energy have their own deal, but Wray School District and the community of Wray should be proud that they will soon reap the benefits of wind power without letting politicians or special interest groups ruin a good idea.
Wind Tower
On July 28th, 2008 wrayborn says:
This fiasco has Mike Bowman written all over it.
Wray School District wind turbine update
On July 28th, 2008 NativeEnergy says:
Wray School District Wind Turbine Project – Update
Sometimes ordinary people who attempt to do extraordinary things encounter unforeseen challenges. The school district in the small, rural town of Wray, CO has faced a few challenges they could not predict in developing their renewable energy project. Their wind turbine, the first large-scale wind turbine in our nation to be owned and operated commercially by a school district, was scheduled to be online by now. But a malfunctioning power converter created unavoidable delays. Replacing this component was further complicated when the U.S. distributor of the Danish-made wind turbine recently changed ownership. The malfunctioning component is now being replaced, so the turbine should be fully operational in early August. The wind turbine will generate electricity, environmental benefits, and educational opportunities, as well as reduced energy costs for the Wray School District.
NativeEnergy’s unique forward stream model brings upfront financing to help new renewable energy projects like the Wray School District wind turbine get built. Once the project achieves commercial operation we purchase the offsets on behalf of our clients. The time period over which the offsets are generated commences after commercial operation is achieved, which, in the case of the Wray School District project will be after the component is replaced on its wind turbine.
This situation clearly demonstrates why new renewable energy projects like this project need upfront capital – including the financing provided by NativeEnergy’s community – to overcome challenges on their path to operation. It also demonstrates that well-designed and financed community-based projects can be successfully developed, and importantly, that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
For more information about our methodology, detailed answers on commonly asked questions relating to carbon offsets, e.g., “How do you estimate how much CO2 pollution is reduced?”, “Are some carbon offsets better than others?”, and “What if my project breaks down?”, please visit our web site at: http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/faq_s/15.php. For our terms and conditions, please visit: http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/terms_and_conditions/93.php
Billy Connelly
Native Energy
www.NativeEnergy.com
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is NOT pollution.
On July 29th, 2008 Rick says:
Many of us out here appreciate your message Mr. Connelly. Thank you for taking the time to respond to this article and letting us know more about your company and products.
However, what I and many other people do not appreciate is the biggest and most proilfic lie that you are spreading is that carbon dioxide is a pollution. Carbon Dioxide(CO2) is NOT and will never be pollution. Every oxygen breathing animal produces it while breathing. Every plant on the planet that uses photosynthesis needs it to survive. Please stop calling Carbon Dioxide a pollutate. A lie is a lie, even if guilible people still belive it.
Goodluck on your projects around the country and the world. If your business model works and is successful without overcosting end-users, then you will truely be a leader in the power generating business community. Cheap, reliable energy is the future.
Thank you,
And once again.....
On July 28th, 2008 Socrates says:
.....though it is clearly information that should be released to the public, democrat party "leaders" refuse to disclose it.
Why is it that democrats are ALWAYS trying to hide the dirty details of the shamefully stupid deals they make in the process of touting their failed ideas?
And this guy is the superindentent of schools, in charge of educating our kids? What kind of education are they providing, a doctoral degree in lying, deceit and trickery?
Carbon offsets are a
On July 27th, 2008 Pachy69 says:
Carbon offsets are a fraud.
People amaze me with their gullibility when it comes to these environmental schemes.