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Related: About this forumWho owns the wind? We do, Wyoming says, and it’s taxing those who use it
Who owns the wind? We do, Wyoming says, and its taxing those who use it
By William Yardley Los Angeles Times Aug 16, 2016
RAWLINS, Wyo. Not long after it became clear that the robust winds that blow down from the Rocky Mountains and across the sea of sagebrush here could produce plenty of profit in a world that wants more renewable energy, some of the more expansive minds in the Wyoming Legislature began entertaining a lofty question: ... Who owns all of that wind? ... They concluded, quickly and conveniently, that Wyoming did.
Then, with great efficiency for a conservative state not traditionally tilted toward burdening the energy industry, they did something no other state has done, before or since: They taxed it.
In the four years since Wyoming began taxing power generated by wind turbines, it has collected a little less than $15 million in revenue. ... No, that is not much money in a resource state rocked by the simultaneous decline in the prices of coal, oil and natural gas, a state trying to close a budget gap that could reach $500 million.
But now, as one of the worlds largest wind farms is about to begin construction here on a project aimed at providing clean electricity to nearly a million homes in California and the Southwest potentially transforming this fossil fuel state into a major player in renewables some powerful state lawmakers are looking to raise those taxes. ... And some in the wind industry, which has long benefited from incentives and subsidies, say they are worried. The company that has spent nine years trying to build the wind project says higher taxes could further delay or even halt the plan.
....
© Copyright 2016 Billings Gazette, 401 N Broadway Billings, MT
By William Yardley Los Angeles Times Aug 16, 2016
RAWLINS, Wyo. Not long after it became clear that the robust winds that blow down from the Rocky Mountains and across the sea of sagebrush here could produce plenty of profit in a world that wants more renewable energy, some of the more expansive minds in the Wyoming Legislature began entertaining a lofty question: ... Who owns all of that wind? ... They concluded, quickly and conveniently, that Wyoming did.
Then, with great efficiency for a conservative state not traditionally tilted toward burdening the energy industry, they did something no other state has done, before or since: They taxed it.
In the four years since Wyoming began taxing power generated by wind turbines, it has collected a little less than $15 million in revenue. ... No, that is not much money in a resource state rocked by the simultaneous decline in the prices of coal, oil and natural gas, a state trying to close a budget gap that could reach $500 million.
But now, as one of the worlds largest wind farms is about to begin construction here on a project aimed at providing clean electricity to nearly a million homes in California and the Southwest potentially transforming this fossil fuel state into a major player in renewables some powerful state lawmakers are looking to raise those taxes. ... And some in the wind industry, which has long benefited from incentives and subsidies, say they are worried. The company that has spent nine years trying to build the wind project says higher taxes could further delay or even halt the plan.
....
© Copyright 2016 Billings Gazette, 401 N Broadway Billings, MT
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Who owns the wind? We do, Wyoming says, and it’s taxing those who use it (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
Aug 2016
OP
catnhatnh
(8,976 posts)1. And I wonder
Still I wonder who'll stop the wind? With apologies to CCR...
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)2. I thought the wind belonged to God. They are taxing God. What a novel concept.
sdfernando
(4,935 posts)4. And as an unintended consequence
Can residence now sue the state if their homes are destroyed by wind...such as a tornado???
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)3. Need to send the legislators the story of the Golden Goose. n/t
ThoughtCriminal
(14,047 posts)5. What about a wind depletion allowance?
And can I sue those upwind for using too much?
GreydeeThos
(958 posts)6. When the wind rips the roof off the barn
Can the farmer sue Wyoming for damages?