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this is....false. The "big driver of it" is state and federal subsidy, period. And as far as the zoning goes, that is a much much grayer picture than painted

this is....false. The "big driver of it" is state and federal subsidy, period. And as far as the zoning goes, that is a much much grayer picture than painted by this comment. For example, in the county I live, you couldn't sell liquor on one side of a highway, a highway which runs dead center through the county and town, because of religious influence on the approval and application of zoning laws. And blue laws are only a tiny part of it.

duckMuppet 7y ago
The wind subsidies have been in place since the 90's... In fact there's strong evidence that such subsidies do more to inhibit energy innovation than promote its flourishing, especially since the govt picks and chooses winners/losers usually tied to certain contractors, groups or ideologies. You might be a socialist. You might be anti capitalist. You might want and need the govt to provide you (I assume you think we all need it as well) purpose and meaning, and to give you absolution methods. I'm good with all that. However, attempting to sell thinking individuals on the idea that without the government we'd all be living in wood shanties with coal stoves talking about technology is the devil is nonsense.. Texas has been an energy giant not because of govt, in spite of it. Please keep your ideas in California.. We've got enough of you guys in Austin.
- dang 7y ago
  Personal/regional attacks are not allowed on Hacker News. Please don't post like that here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html Also, please don't use HN for ideological battle. It's boring and predictable, and invites worse.
postpawl 7y ago
I think state and federal subsidy is a big part of it too. Texas invested a lot of money in power transmission infrastructure to get that wind energy to major cities: https://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/14/7-billion-crez-project-nears-finish-aiding-wind-po/ https://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/14/7-billion-crez-proje...

duckMuppet 7y ago

The wind subsidies have been in place since the 90's... In fact there's strong evidence that such subsidies do more to inhibit energy innovation than promote its flourishing, especially since the govt picks and chooses winners/losers usually tied to certain contractors, groups or ideologies. You might be a socialist. You might be anti capitalist. You might want and need the govt to provide you (I assume you think we all need it as well) purpose and meaning, and to give you absolution methods. I'm good with all that. However, attempting to sell thinking individuals on the idea that without the government we'd all be living in wood shanties with coal stoves talking about technology is the devil is nonsense.. Texas has been an energy giant not because of govt, in spite of it. Please keep your ideas in California.. We've got enough of you guys in Austin.

dang 7y ago
Personal/regional attacks are not allowed on Hacker News. Please don't post like that here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html Also, please don't use HN for ideological battle. It's boring and predictable, and invites worse.

postpawl 7y ago

I think state and federal subsidy is a big part of it too. Texas invested a lot of money in power transmission infrastructure to get that wind energy to major cities: https://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/14/7-billion-crez-project-nears-finish-aiding-wind-po/ https://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/14/7-billion-crez-proje...