Bill would force N.J. utilities to boost solar output or pay (brokers, house)

[Marc Paolella]

Utterly insane. This is a perfect and current example of Crony Capitalism. Private companies operating the levers of political power at the expense of freedom and liberty. Solar power companies should succeed, or fail, on their own merits. Not by demanding public welfare. This will increase our already excessive energy costs. And it needs to be stopped. Where is Chris Christie on this?

This is WHY WE NEED SMALLER GOVERNMENT. Every new task that is allowed to be carried out by the government carries with it the opportunity for this type of malfeasance.

[captne76]

I bet if they have to pay anything, it is with OUR money going back to the government. After all where else would they obtain money from?

[pvs]

Originally Posted by Marc Paolella

Utterly insane. This is a perfect and current example of Crony Capitalism. Private companies operating the levers of political power at the expense of freedom and liberty. Solar power companies should succeed, or fail, on their own merits. Not by demanding public welfare. This will increase our already excessive energy costs. And it needs to be stopped. Where is Chris Christie on this?

This is WHY WE NEED SMALLER GOVERNMENT. Every new task that is allowed to be carried out by the government carries with it the opportunity for this type of malfeasance.

We don't often agree, Marc, but in this case, you're spot-on. It's SO MUCH better if we hit the brakes with the Coal and Oil subsidies we currently employ. No further ones should be considered.

[NJGOAT]

It's a tough call. I don't necessarily agree with the proposed legislation in full, but there is a lot riding on this in terms of jobs and continued development and investment. NJ is one of the leading states in the country in terms of solar power development and there are some massive and impactful solar projects spread throughout the state that are stalled, that this bill would make a reality.

Given the massive subsidies still provided to "traditional" power generation (coal and natural gas), though not necessarily at the state level, I don't see why solar shouldn't be given the same support. You're arguing for more free market, but the energy market is anything but free. There are also real environmental concerns that necessitate giving the industry a gentle nudge from time-to-time.

[DarkWolf]

Solar eh , why not wind....?

[Marc Paolella]

Originally Posted by NJGOAT

It's a tough call. I don't necessarily agree with the proposed legislation in full, but there is a lot riding on this in terms of jobs and continued development and investment. NJ is one of the leading states in the country in terms of solar power development and there are some massive and impactful solar projects spread throughout the state that are stalled, that this bill would make a reality.

Given the massive subsidies still provided to "traditional" power generation (coal and natural gas), though not necessarily at the state level, I don't see why solar shouldn't be given the same support. You're arguing for more free market, but the energy market is anything but free. There are also real environmental concerns that necessitate giving the industry a gentle nudge from time-to-time.

No. No corporate welfare to solar companies. And I favor repealing any and all corporate welfare given to coal, gas, oil, or anyone else. We all know it's wrong, now we have to have the courage to stop it.

Crony Capitalism is a perversion of the market, is inefficient, and is basically nothing more than a redistributive tax. Enough already. Here we have a brand new Corporate Welfare Crony project on the drawing boards. If we don't stop it, we tacitly agree to the proposition that Crony Capitalism is good, because certain pressure groups get a benefit. I am not ready to accept that proposition, or the corrupt principle behind it. Solar energy is great, and one day it will succeed, but it needs to get there on its own steam, or not get there at all. Just like all of us...

[Marc Paolella]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

Solar eh , why not wind....?

Exactly. All determined by bureaucrats who get to pick the winners and losers. And undoubtedly influenced by peddlers of largesse.

When we advocate for smaller government, it is precisely for this reason. The winners and losers need to be picked by the market, not the EPA or FCC, or other un-elected power brokers.

[MontclairNative]

How about setting a carbon impact goal and letting the market take it from there?

[Kracer]

Who was it that said our energy prices would need to skyrocket under his plan?

Embrace the higher cost and give your thanks to 'him' for his plan.

All electric house here, no gas line nearby for hookup. All electric homes were once the rage and great discounts in electricity costs were offered as incentive.

Incentive to encourage any energy source is initially fine but then you get left high and dry.

Solar law suits and environmental destruction as trees are cut to run solar farms. Homeowners with long term solar find that their neighbors trees have grown to shade out their panels. Lawsuits abound.

Want to like solar but like everything else it is offered as a premature panacea that lacks technical maturity as a cost effective solution.

I'm sure it it is situationally effective but an early leap embracing a developing technology is like buying the first model year car whose problems are eliminated in the 2nd year of production.

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by Marc Paolella

No. No corporate welfare to solar companies. And I favor repealing any and all corporate welfare given to coal, gas, oil, or anyone else. We all know it's wrong, now we have to have the courage to stop it.

Crony Capitalism is a perversion of the market, is inefficient, and is basically nothing more than a redistributive tax. Enough already. Here we have a brand new Corporate Welfare Crony project on the drawing boards. If we don't stop it, we tacitly agree to the proposition that Crony Capitalism is good, because certain pressure groups get a benefit. I am not ready to accept that proposition, or the corrupt principle behind it. Solar energy is great, and one day it will succeed, but it needs to get there on its own steam, or not get there at all. Just like all of us...

I'm all for a "free" market, but in order for a free market to function well it does need rules, structure and regulation. Then we get to the point that occasionally the interest of the market in generating profit is divergent from the interests of society as a whole. In those cases using incentives to encourage the market to move in the direction of societies greater interests are appropriate.

Originally Posted by Kracer

Who was it that said our energy prices would need to skyrocket under his plan?

Embrace the higher cost and give your thanks to 'him' for his plan.

All electric house here, no gas line nearby for hookup. All electric homes were once the rage and great discounts in electricity costs were offered as incentive.

Incentive to encourage any energy source is initially fine but then you get left high and dry.

Solar law suits and environmental destruction as trees are cut to run solar farms. Homeowners with long term solar find that their neighbors trees have grown to shade out their panels. Lawsuits abound.

Want to like solar but like everything else it is offered as a premature panacea that lacks technical maturity as a cost effective solution.

I'm sure it it is situationally effective but an early leap embracing a developing technology is like buying the first model year car whose problems are eliminated in the 2nd year of production.

The majority of these solar projects are taking place in one of three areas. They are either reclaiming rooftops in warehouse and industrial sites, they are using fallow farmland that has already been cleared or they are taking advantage of brownfield sites that are not fit for regular building.

The technology has been evolving consistently since the 1980's when the first large scale solar projects were put in place. At this point these solar farms that they are building are equalling the power output of a traditional plant with none of the pollution issues. The technology still has a ways to go, but I don't think the 1st model year car analogy is correct.