Just as predicted (and ridiculed) it seems North Carolina’s electricity providers will be unable to meet the first deadline set by the General Assembly in Senate Bill 3 mandating the use of swine and poultry waste. An article from today’s N&O has the full details.
Progress Energy spokesman Mike Hughes states, “Lawmakers passed the 2007 law based on a number of assumptions”… And don’t you just love it when our lawmakers assume instead of looking at the facts?
These assumptions included the rapid development of “green” energy technology here in North Carolina. Or rather, the General Assembly attempted to create a market for “green” energy by requiring that our electricity providers purchase it, while limiting how much they can spend. Across the board, most “green” technology continues to be cost-prohibitive, and riddled with environmental concerns and NIMBY-ism.
Essentially in its infancy when compared to other “green” power sources (considering the first solar powered steam engine was built in 1866), swine and poultry waste power brings a whole host of additional issues prompting some to wonder if it’s even worth it.
When will our legislators learn that the free market will always win? Simply because an idea is proposed in legislation, does not automatically mean this idea is necessary or even in the best interested of the people.
For more on chicken poop power and other green absurdities, check out the latest issue of Civitas Review.
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