Achieving these ambitious goals will also lessen the need for a slew of new coal power plants in Michigan. That’s why I have directed the Department of Environmental Quality to evaluate, in consultation with our Public Service Commission, both the need for additional electricity generation and all feasible and prudent alternatives before approving new coal-fired power plants in Michigan. One such alternative is developing technology to prevent coal plants from spewing dirty carbon emissions into the air. That breakthrough technology, and others like it, can create jobs here, too.

The nation is moving to a new energy future, but if we are willing to think strategically and act boldly, like we have in other sectors, Michigan can lead job creation in this area too. While this new energy sector represents our single best hope for new investment and new jobs, Michigan’s diversification strategy has also targeted other emerging sectors from the life sciences to advanced manufacturing to homeland security. And we have similar results in those sectors.

Former Governor of Michigan, Democrat Jennifer Granholm- State of the State Address, February 3rd, 2009

The recent blast of arctic weather received across most of the United States has illustrated the need for reliable energy. (Where is that global warming when you need it?)

When the massive snow storm and single digit temperatures slammed El Paso, TX the cold temps created rolling blackouts across much of Texas. Local electric plants literally froze creating a dangerous situation for residents trapped in the freezing cold. Furthermore, without electricity, natural gas pumping stations could not run and shortages of natural gas in New Mexico and elsewhere ensued.

Strangely, no stories recounting how solar panels and windmills ‘picking up the slack’ from the old, dirty coal plants have surfaced. No stories about windmills keeping the lights on and natural gas flowing.

Truth be told, windmills are much more susceptible to freezing temperatures than coal power plants. Via Bluegrass Pundit:

In a pathetic attempt to implement ‘green energy’ in Minnesota, wind turbines transplanted from California have not worked since they were installed last fall. They have been paralyzed by the cold weather. Just think of all the ‘green jobs’ that will be created trying to get them to work in the frigid northern climate.

Obviously, solar panels will not work with large amounts of snow covering them. Come to think of it, green energy doesn’t work when the weather is good either.

So the wind turbines are still and silent. The hydro turbines in the rivers and dams are quiet. And toasted teacakes and hot tea are off the menu at the Eigg Tearooms.

So what on earth’s going on? Have the Eigg eco-innovators been victims of some act of jealous vandalism? Has their award- winning electricity system blown a fuse?

Er, no. It turns out that when the good people of Eigg put their faith in strong winds and pounding rain to provide all their electricity needs, they overlooked one possibility – a spell of lovely weather.

Let’s recap. Green energy doesn’t work when the weather is bad and it doesn’t work when the weather is nice.

Perfect.

Of course our leaders are completely invested in green energy and are showing no signs of backing down. Worse yet, there is no shortage of companies willing to feed at the government trough.

This is all to be expected, remember what Obama said before the 2008 election?

“Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket,” Obama told the Chronicle . “Coal-powered plants, you know, natural gas, you name it, whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.”

To close things out, William Teach @ The Cove had this to say:

Well, his administration, along with Democrats in Congress and in State governments, have worked hard to destroy our energy infrastructure. In fact, a major source of energy, coal fired plants, have been abandoned in large numbers since 2001. No new plants have been started in the last two years. Good thing we have solar, wind, and hydrothermal, with the panels covered with snow, turbines frozen solid, and waterways frozen. On the bright side, more people will freeze to death, meaning less people on the planet, something the extreme envirowackos/climate alarmists should be pleased over.

‘Nuff said.