Article found at http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage Asbury Park Press on March 1, 2006
Focus on wind power cost prompts economics lesson- 03/1/06
When Richard Oates of Marlboro read of an expert's conclusion that wind power could be "costly" to New Jersey, he thought it was outrageous that price would get such attention. For anything you purchase, the initial cost is not always what matters, he said. "You can buy a $50,000 car, or you could buy a $20,000 car," he said. "But if the $50,000 car lasts three times as long, which is more expensive?" After reading the article, Oates wrote a letter to our Opinion Page, reminding "experts" to compare the true costs of "inexpensive" vs. "expensive" energy sources. [....] "The total cost is really not taken into consideration when comparing wind power with fossil fuels. I thought it was a shallow way to express a reason for not having wind power." Oates said. Instead Oates suggest that officials treat our energy sources like a diversified stock portfolio, a combination of fossil fuels, solar, wind and other energy sources. "The more different types of sources of energy you have, the safer our country is going to be," he said. "All kinds of small countries have power over us, power they shouldn't have. It's a very dangerous thing." [article continued beyond this excert, the full article can be found at the above site, aap.com] -Sole copyright belongs to Asbury Park Press
My response:
Firstly, I agree with this article because it suggests the need for alternate energy sources, and I agree with Richard Oates 100% on that account. It is definitely time for Americans to realize that even if we weren't paying extraordinary prices for oil and constantly tiptoeing around nations to protect our oil interests, we would still have to eventually consider alternatives to provide energy for our nation. It is inevitable, because, as we have all learned, resources are limited, and eventually they will run out. America sometimes thinks that our oil supply will just go on forever just because we are almight America! But its not true, it is time to do something else, or at least check our options.
Oates car example is something I would not have thought of and maybe a little inaccurate in comparison to our countrie's energy crisis, but it still points out a valid point. America needs to begin thinking in longterm, that goes for politicians, businessmen, consumers, and students. Oates is right, many state governments are refusing to back alternatives for energy and hiding behind the price factor, which rarely stops America. There are many things that we have no problem pouring our money into, but when it comes to switching energy resources, why is it we have such a hard time?
I also appreciated Oates comparison to a diversified stock portfolio, he makes a good strong point when he says, "The more different types of sources of energy you have the safer our country is going to be." It just makes sense..
[©Shirley G. Do not reuse, copy and paste, or claim as your own without my express permission.]
Your thoughts?
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Oates car example is something I would not have thought of and maybe a little inaccurate in comparison to our countrie's energy crisis, but it still points out a valid point.
I agree completely. Using the car model is incredible! The message I took most from that movie Who Killed The Electric Car was that business is so resistant to new ideas (they're not resilient like nature). Industry usually doesn't push ad campaigns by stressing the price limitations and inflations. Ingenuity and fresh ideas, and to a degree the willingness to adapt, are what help companies sustain long-term profit.
I digress. Thank you for the new angle on the issue!
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly