http://blog.savvyspin.comQuick Blogcasthttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/11/09/why-the-casinos-lost.aspx#comment-12793432Subscribe me please. Excellent article!Eric J. Hanson2011-11-10T17:06:34Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/11/09/why-the-casinos-lost.aspx#comment-12762812Nothing like hitting the nail on the head. Great articleJeff Knight2011-11-09T23:35:06Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/02/25/are-wind-power-opponents-winning-the-pr-battle.aspx#comment-12761814As a resident in the State of Texas and someone who lives within 1/2 mile of a large wind farm, all of the posts are correct. The State of Texas has the largest installed capacity of wind farms (>10,000 MW). Texas has been extremely generous to wind developers not only in terms of state and local subsidies, but also in terms of zero regulation of the wind farm industry. <br /><br />According to ERCOT (the Texas transmission system in Texas), wind output is about 8% (vs. the 35% capacity factor expected). We have wind farms located in at least 15 counties in the state, covering over 1,000,000 acres of land. Some of these wind farms are on flat agricultural land while others dot the beautifical ridge lines in several locations. And there are plans to construct more wind farms over the next 5 years. <br /><br />We also have planned about 2400 miles of transmission lines that will criss-cross the state. Each electric rate payer in the state pays about $3.50 per meter on their monthly bill to pay for these lines. <br /><br />The other posts point out the deficiencies of wind as a power source. If and when wind is ultimately seen as the folly it truly is, the taxpayers of the State of Texas will be left with the decommissioning costs as well. Or as is the case with most state budgets these days, we will see rusting, broken parts and equipment all over the Texas landscape and the largest unused/under-utilized capacitor transmission system in the country, if not the world. <br /><br />The sooner we wake up to the real 'truths' of wind power, the sooner we can focus our efforts on the sources of power (some which we currently have and others yet to be discovered) that will free us from dependence on outside sources, be affordable, reliable, and self-sustaining.Dr. Patricia Lapoint2011-11-09T15:32:32Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/02/25/are-wind-power-opponents-winning-the-pr-battle.aspx#comment-12759194Many Mainers have been working for many years to get the facts out about the destructiveness of industrial wind. We have been demonized by Big Green, much of which has sold out to the wind industry. Until the Center for Public Interest Reporting broke a story, the media ignored us. Our legal challenges to the permits saw us outspent by millions. But the tide is turning, as it always does, when people are presented with the facts. This push to industrialize our ridge lines has been a major con spurred along by stimulus funding and federal subsidies. When that ends, so will the industrial wind craze.Lynne Williams2011-11-09T12:38:17Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/07/22/norm-olsens--and-the-democrats--overreaction.aspx#comment-11218526Well, BIW is not an industry, it's a company, part of Maine's shipbuilding industry. The biggest industry in Maine, by far, is tourism. It accounts for more than $10 billion in sales and employs about 17% of Maine's entire workforce. Obviously there's some debate, since tourism takes in a lot of different retail and service jobs, but more jobs are dependent upon tourism in Maine than anything else. <div><br /> </div> <div>I say lobster is Maine's most valuable industry because without lobsters, Maine's tourism industry, and indeed Maine's identification and brand, would be seriously weakened. Lobsters are more than just the lobstermen, processors and distributors, it's the state's identity. That's why they're on our license plates.</div>Dennis Bailey2011-07-24T21:36:31Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/07/22/norm-olsens--and-the-democrats--overreaction.aspx#comment-11218484BIW is Maine's most valuable and important industry. 2010 lobster catch totals were valued at a hair over $308M. BIW annual payroll is over $200M more at $520M plus $60M in subcontracting to other Maine small businesses.Bobby2011-07-24T20:34:19Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/07/19/this-is-why-rupert-murdoch-runs-an-evil-empire.aspx#comment-11206518Excellent write up. Now go after Lepage on closing Maine Care, 3 more years to go with this wacko!John D Gwazdosky2011-07-19T21:00:20Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/07/13/pr-is-dead.aspx#comment-11184041Come on, man, some of us count on the Bailey shillelagh!Ken Rosen2011-07-13T21:49:43Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/05/05/shut-up-al.aspx#comment-9594307Dennis, those of us who've 'brawled' with Al over issues---never got a free beer from him?, may be bruised but better for the first class workout. <br /><br />He's witty and a genuine smart ass; a Maine counterpart to the legendary IZZY STONE.<br /><br />You should be so lucky to have such a worthy opponent!Frank Heller2011-05-20T17:17:38Zhttp://blog.savvyspin.com/2011/05/05/shut-up-al.aspx#comment-9112911what is the salary for Emery's new position in the planning department of which LePage wanted to eliminate and he also hired Brown to work there - what is Brown's salary at that department?gwaz2011-05-05T16:30:28Z