'Alternative Energy' Fails, Costs Taxpayers In Arizona

In Coconino County, Arizona, Arizona Public Service – the energy utility that provides power to millions of Arizona residents – has announced that it will not be buying any more power from local wind farms. Apparently, the wind farms have been a complete bust, producing energy at a low rate and charging a high one.

Now, APS will be forced to buy solar energy, since there is a state mandate that 15 percent of its energy come from “renewable sources” by 2025. “Right now, it looks like solar – photovoltaic – is the lowest-cost resource,” lamented Gordon Samuel, the future energy supplies planner at APS.

Just a year ago, in February 2011, Coconino County supervisors okay-ed 62 wind turbines over the objections of local residents, who argued that they were an annoying eyesore that would not generate ample power. “It was all I could do not to jump up and down and yell ‘I told you so! I told you so!'” said Linda Webb, an opponent of the build.

Now, of course, the federal government is deeply focused on driving investment in “renewable energy.” They should look to the example of Coconino Ranch before spending taxpayer dollars on such black holes.