Fact check: Frum errs on wind energy's cost Conservative
activist David Frum repeated some misconceptions about wind in a
commentary that aired recently on American Public Media's
"Marketplace" radio program, in which he criticized Germany's
decision to phase out nuclear power. Contrary to Mr. Frum's
comments: - Wind energy is one of the most affordable forms of
new electric generating capacity, competing with all other
sources of new capacity and saving consumers money by holding
down the cost of other fuels such as natural gas. Furthermore,
since a wind turbine's fuel (the wind) is free throughout the
20-year life span of a wind project, wind energy is inflation
proof and protects consumers from fuel price spikes. - Germany's
wind resource, both land-based and offshore, is domestic,
helping to reduce dependence on imports of natural gas from
Russia. - The cost of generating electricity wind energy is
typically higher in Europe than in the U.S., partly because
average wind speeds are lower, making wind farms