Wednesday, May 6, 2009

PAYING THE DONS FOR ENERGY

In Sicily, alternative energy is not only chic but, mirabile dictu, also profitable. No wonder: the island is touted as the land of wind and sun. Unfortunately, it is also the land of the Mafia. According to The Register (a.k.a.: biting the hands that feeds IT), Mafia-busting Italian magistrates:

“…have launched a major investigation into crooked windfarm projects in Sicily, according to reports. It is suggested that large sums in government support have been collected for wind power stations which in many cases produce no electricity…”

According to the Financial Times, Italy has very strong incentives for alternative energy production, guaranteeing producers prices of €180 ($240, £160) per kilowatt-hour. These must be paid even when no electricity is actually being generated. The money firehose continues to deliver if a wind farm produces power but cannot distribute or sell it.

This arrangement is a G-dsend for those with muscle and connections: i.e. organized crime. You get government money to build a Potemkin wind farm, then sit back and collect government largesse. Since you have muscle and connections, you also buy local officials who will keep the Minotaur at bay while you navigate the Labyrinth of Sicilian regulations to get all the requisite permits to build and operate. Then you sell the wind farm to a power corporation for lots more money.

To make a long story short, the situation is now seen as so corrupt that there is a freeze on all new wind farms in Sicily, Calabria and Basilicata, and a major investigation is in progress. Woof.

Which brings us to the Obama administration and all the huge open maws that eagerly await its largesse, like Al Gore and his brood. Gore wants to become the first green billionaire. Since he’s in like Flint with the government, he may make it pretty soon – with our money.

Like in Sicily, few outsiders will be allowed into the arena – only the anointed may get rich. Like in Sicily, we’ll pay for his success.

This, I think, is reason No. 135,999,938 why the Obamites are not to be trusted with our money and why they must not be allowed to pursue their nefarious “green” energy schemes.

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