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[Strawbale Builder]

Wow tough crowd, LOL. No, I am not a government agent just someone who thought I could express my opinions as freely as everyone else. I'm on the forum to learn and to maybe help a few folks along the way with my experience in outdoor wood boilers and renewable energy. Personally, I don't believe the government should subsidize anything, let the market determine winners and losers. But facts are facts and fossil fuel companies are one of the biggest recipients of government subsidies and that's one of the reasons renewables have not competed as well as they should. Follow the lobbyists and the money and you'll see who really owns our government, not the people, Thomas Jefferson would be appalled. In spite of this, the cost of renewables has come down substantially in recent years. A couple years ago the CEO of XL Energy gave a speech in Denver, Colorado, in which he stated electricity generated from commercial scale wind turbines is now cheaper and more reliable than coal or natural gas, quite a statement from the CEO of a major electric utility. Keywords here are cheaper and reliable because over the years renewables have been given a bad rap on both counts. If done properly 100% of a carbon tax on fossil fuel companies would be returned to taxpayers. This is not a liberal idea and it is gaining momentum across the political spectrum from far right to far left. I have been following energy issues for years and my personal opinion is a carbon tax is coming. Would you rather have the government spend the money or would you rather have 100% of it returned to the taxpayers to defray the higher cost of fossil fuel? Hard-working folks like us on this forum are paying taxes to subsidize some of the biggest corporations in the world, then in many cases we pay again to clean up their mess, then we pay again at the pump or the meter. Talk about a rigged system. Fossil fuel companies hate renewable energy because it makes people energy independent and cuts them out of the loop, they don't like it when we take their hands out of our pockets. Power to the people. That is my friendly rant

[Strawbale Builder]

Sorry, did not mean to post that twice, I am new at this.

[Bondo]

If done properly 100% of a carbon tax on fossil fuel companies would be returned to taxpayers.

Ayuh,....   Just who do you think is gonna be payin' this tax at the wellhead,..??

We Will,....   The suppliers simply past the added cost down the line,....

'n yer just plain ole Crazy to think the government will collect Billions, 'n just give it back to the taxpayers,....
Never Happen,....

[atvalaska]

911 !!!  , another tax !!! Fthat ! I can spend my money better than any gooberment u can chit .....bar none!

[Super44]

I think that instead of state-by-state subsidy programs that taxes individuals only to give back to other individuals a better overall solution would be for everyone to push for a carbon tax. I know tax Is a dirty word to some folks, but this would be a tax on corporate polluters only not on individuals. The way it works is fossil fuel companies that produce coal, oil and natural gas would be taxed at the mine or well according to the amount of carbon dioxide that will be released into the atmosphere upon consumption of these products. But the best part is that 100% of this corporate pollution tax would be returned to taxpayers. No gimmicks, no subsidies just a check once a year for the same amount to every taxpayer in the country whether you are Bill Gates or Jane or Joe average. This would accomplish some very good things. Number one, it will raise the price of fossil fuel and put it on a more equal footing to renewables, including biomass. Consumers could use their pollution tax check to defray the higher cost of fossil fuel or more intelligently to invest in the biomass for heating and hot water, and solar or wind for electricity. This would stimulate manufacturing and create good jobs in the US and Canada. Eventually that pollution check becomes clear profit and disposable income to help stimulate other parts of the economy. Don't forget to spend that extra money locally!

Wondering if that would work like the social security lock box?

[mlappin]

Kind of interesting that most countries that are heavy into renewables and green energy pay far more for their “green” electricity than we do.

Thinking our cousins in the UK pay about three times as much for a kilowatt of electric than we do. Of course lets not even bring up the $7 a gallon gas over there.

[agriffinjd]

I can vouch that strawbale builder is no spy.  Let's have respectful dialogues with those you disagree with.  This site has been very useful to so many, and it's almost always been civil if not friendly. 

Just my 2 cents.

[slimjim]

I think I also can vouch for Strawbale not being a spy, how have you been Dave? It's been a long time coming to get you posting on here. Guys if he's who I think he is, he's a great guy that is very motivated, a bit soft in the squash for trusting his government in many aspects and he knows how it works, it's our job to nicely educate him on the terrors of an all controlling government and once we do he will be a VERY valuable asset to the forum. He has thick skin and can take a great argument but it will take a great argument to sway him from his liberal tendencies.

[Super44]

I suspect I know strawbale Dave also, he will have plenty of useful info.

[Strawbale Builder]

Thanks agriffinjd and slimjim. Yes Slim this is your old buddy Dave from WI, I originally posted because I could hardly believe my libertarian friend was calling for government subsidies Still remember the time you joined me at the Barron County fair in WI. I was burning the Enviro 500 with 50% moisture white ash wood chips, I had it going good but you fine tuned it so the flame was roaring right out the door, the sheriff came by and nicely asked if we could back it down a bit. Quite a sight at night. Still have the video. Hope all is well with you and yours.

[Strawbale Builder]

Thanks Supper44!

[agriffinjd]

Thanks agriffinjd and slimjim. Yes Slim this is your old buddy Dave from WI, I originally posted because I could hardly believe my libertarian friend was calling for government subsidies Still remember the time you joined me at the Barron County fair in WI. I was burning the Enviro 500 with 50% moisture white ash wood chips, I had it going good but you fine tuned it so the flame was roaring right out the door, the sheriff came by and nicely asked if we could back it down a bit. Quite a sight at night. Still have the video. Hope all is well with you and yours.

I figured that was you Dave. 

I bought my P&M boiler from Dave last year.  Great guy to do business with.  I know at the time Slimjim was wanting him to be on this site, then once he got on he got flamed!  I hope he stays on and keeps contributing because he has been a great help on a couple of my own issues I had with my stove as I began to learn it last year.

Andy

[Strawbale Builder]

Thanks for the kind words Andy. How is the snow in the UP? Not much here, most snowmobile trails are not open yet. If you need anything you know where to find me.

[slimjim]

Oh no Dave I'm not looking for subsidies, I would rather they disappear all together BUT we both know that ain't happening so we should absolutely be allowed to participate, Welcome Aboard my demented friend!

[mlappin]

Oh no Dave I'm not looking for subsidies, I would rather they disappear all together BUT we both know that ain't happening so we should absolutely be allowed to participate, Welcome Aboard my demented friend!

Exactly, either subsidize all or none instead of picking winners and losers.

You look at the EPA charts and the G100 and G200 are cleaner than a few of the pellet burners out there.

Not sure about a few, but I’m not a huge fan of corn burners at all, market is too variable for starters and if a homeowner buys one back when corn was $2/bushel they sure couldn’t afford to run it when corn hit $8/bushel. I personally know of two by Woodmaster that have sat idle for years now. Then there is the moral issue of burning food for heat when there are better options.