Since job claims are the main argument that lobbyists are using to try to justify the PTC, this page of information should put their assertions into a more realistic perspective.
Ten Talking Points:
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- 1-Essentially ALL of the job claims made for the extension of the PTC, come from one source: AWEA (American Wind Energy Association). AWEA’s only job is to promote the wind energy business.
- 2-None of the PTC job claims made by AWEA have provided the specific details, or have been independently verified by qualified, disinterested sources. The net result is that these claims are questionable at best.
- 3-There is considerable evidence that green job and wind job claims are highly exaggerated (e.g. see some of the reports listed below).
- 4-When job claims are made, one of the most significant considerations is: what is the NET jobs impact? None of the wind lobbyist jobs claims are NET.
- 5-Several studies done by independent experts have concluded that wind development results in a NET jobs loss. (See Home page Professional presentation and some of the reports listed below.)
- 6-Another important consideration is: what is the cost per job created? Analyses by independent financial experts conclude that the cost per wind job created by such subsidies, is extremely high. (See Home page Professional presentation and some of the reports listed below.)
- 7-Of course any tax handout (e.g. the PTC) will create jobs. An important consideration is: how many jobs would be created if the same amount of tax revenue was directed elsewhere? Wind lobbyists never objectively examine that question.
- 8-Another major consideration is: what is the net societal benefit of any created jobs? Wind lobbyists have provided zero scientific proof of any societal net gains.
- 9-A proven way to have widespread job increases is to have reliable, less expensive energy. Wind energy is unreliable and more expensive, so how can that possibly be the sensible way to go?
- 10-Congress has estimated that the PTC credit will cost taxpayers over $12 Billion — for just a one year extension. In effect this will be money borrowed from China, that will increase our national debt. Are these wise moves when this situation is looked at impassionately?
These types of considerations are discussed in the slide presentations (Full or Executive), and in the following sample studies, reports and articles. After reading these carefully, any objective observer will conclude that extending the PTC is not a wise financial move from a NET jobs or economics perspective.
Green Jobs Myths
How the ‘Green Jobs’ Agenda Destroys Jobs
When Wind Power Blows, Jobs Will Fall
The Truth About All Those Green Jobs
The Green Economy Mirage
We Need Wind Subsidies Like We Need VHS Subsidies
The BlackSmith Tax Credit
Wind Energy Job Myths
The Green Subsidy Job Loss Nexus
‘Green’ Jobs: Shrewd PR, Bad Economics
The Dirty Secret Behind Clean Jobs
Green Jobs Are a Cost, Not a Benefit
Dr. Michaels Jobs Testimony 1 and Testimony 2
Wind Energy Jobs: Mysterious Numbers from AWEA
Wind Energy Job Growth Isn’t Blowing Anyone Away
The Myth of Green Jobs
The Myth of Green Energy Jobs: The European Experience
Economic Impacts from the Promotion of Renewable Energies: The German Experience
Wind Energy: The Case of Denmark
The Green Jobs Fantasy
Obama’s Green Job Fantasy
Millions of Green Jobs? Beyond the Fantasy
Green Jobs a Cost, Not Benefit, to the National Economy
Green Jobs Aren’t Renewable Energy’s Value Proposition
Beware Green Jobs, the New Sub-prime
Renewable Energy and the Fallacy of ‘Green’ Jobs
For Every New ‘Green’ Job, Nearly Four Are Lost
Subsidizing Green Jobs is Dumb Economic Policy
Feeding The Masses On Unicorn Ribs
Running of the Bull: U.S. ‘Green Jobs’ Rhetoric Runs Smack Dab Into Hard Lessons From Spain
Green Jobs: Making Society Poorer
Green is the New Red: The High Cost of Green jobs
Losing Jobs with Green Technology
Green Jobs and Economic Blues
Spain Tilts At Windmills And Pays Price
Promise from Green Jobs Overstated, Harms Ignored
Don’t Count on ‘Countless’ Green Jobs
Better Green Jobs: The One-Word Solution
Murray/Calzada/Stagnaro: Lessons from Europe
Green Energy and the Eco-Mafia
The Jobs Are Always Greener…
Green Technology Won’t Create Jobs
Whitehouse Takes Credit for Bush Wind Jobs
Obama’s green-jobs argument still bearing little-to-no resemblance to reality
Subsidizing Big Wind – The Real Costs to Taxpayers