Green Energy Corruption: Gone With The Wind
A new regular feature on Daily Bail, John along with Barbara Durkin will be provding several updates per week on corruption, graft and waste in the energy sector.
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The Green Energy Corruption Chronicles
Links for Nov. 4, 2012:
Good Riddance To Wind Farms - The Most Dangerous Delusion Of Our Age
Why Bloomberg Endorsed Obama (color us skeptical!)
Michael Bloomberg: A Vote for a President to Lead on Climate Change
First Solar Reports Earnings, Stock Smacked
Is First Solar Moving to India?
Customer Seeks to Freeze Clipper Windpower Assets, Including Iowa Factory
Eco-Taxes? Study Financed by U.S. Treasury Will Link Tax Code to Carbon Emissions
Barclays Energy Market Manipulation Shocks Markets
Germany's Green Growth Running Out Of Steam
The Case For Removing The Federal Energy Production Tax Credit
FLASHBACK: Gone With the Wind: Carbon Millionaires Arrested for Fraud
Reader Comments (23)
http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2012/10/omg-paul-krugman-is-trapped.html
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Non-Union-Utility-Crews-from-Alabama-Turned-Away-From-Helping-NJ-Sandy-Victims-176949061.html
Apparently, it was a misunderstanding.
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/01/business/portland-tech-company-sues-microsoft-for-patent-infringement/
BREAKING: Newly Released House Oversight Emails Incriminate White House in Green-Energy Loan Lies
http://greencorruption.blogspot.com/2012/11/breaking-newly-released-house-oversight.html#.UJemzKWRi5Q
[snip]
When he is confronted about the failed green-energy loan program, President Obama deflects blame—pointing to “career bureaucrats” in the Department of Energy (DOE) who supposedly approved the loans that have become an embarrassment to the White House.
For months, along with researcher Christine Lakatos, I’ve been reporting on, first, the junk-bond rated projects (such as Solyndra) that received fast-tracked approval from the DOE and, then the failed and troubled stimulus funded companies. Solyndra was just the tip of the iceberg.
Bloomberg's an idiot Glo BULL warming my ass he wants everyone in the country to pay for New York;s Damages
New York asks feds to pay entire storm bill
http://news.yahoo.com/york-governor-ask-federal-government-cover-sandy-storm-200420294.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CaGXJJQjHEAdIbQtDMD
Energy, Glo-Bull Warming And Sandy
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=213526
This is all about Communism and a World Government Barry Goldwater warned about this
It's Not Just That Global Warming Is Fake. What Matters Is Why This Fakery Is Being Promoted.
http://www.garynorth.com/public/5156.cfm
U.N. Proposes Global Taxes to Fund ‘Global Challenges’ Such As Climate Change
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/un-proposes-global-taxes-fund-global-challenges-such-climate-change
Wind farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9653429/Wind-farm-noise-does-harm-sleep-and-health-say-scientists.html
You ain't seen nothing yet! Barbara will have lots of really great stuff and I MEAN it.
Some of the values at risk by the Obama Administration's green religion are reliable and affordable energy sources, public safety, economic surety, wildlife habitat and wildlife, National Historic Landmarks, Tribal Cultural Property, recreational and commercial use rights of our ocean resources, and our access to fresh seafood caught in local waters. President Obama fails to comprehend that the federal government holds in Trust for the Public our resources, the commons. This Administration is recklessly divesting the public of our resources, land and sea, to appease green gods.
On the subject of the: “Update on Committee’s Oversight of the DOE Loan Guarantee Program: New Emails Show President Obama, Senior Administration Officials Misled American People about Role of President and White House in Program.”
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/maritanoon/2012/11/04/busting_open_energys_den_of_deception/page/full/
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Email #1.
http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Appendix-I.pdf
"I am growing increasingly worried about a fast track process imposed on us at the POTUS level based on this chaotic process that we are undergoing. The work done to date does not have near enough staff work to be supportable and is totally being done on the fly and is being used by other agencies to impose theological views. We really get out of fast tracking when you get right down to it and the process being design is pure crap. Further, by legitimizing some of their theological views in the fast tracking screens, we give those views credibility that will certainly be used against us for non fast tracked transactions. By designing the fast track process and having it approved at the POTUS level (which is an absolute waste of time!) it legitimizes every element and it becomes embedded like the 55% recovery rate which also was imposed by POTUS.
I think that the time has come, given how poorly this process is going, to step back from all of this and take a deep breath.
Jim"
The green energy "theological views" imposed by the POTUS are in complete conflict with the science-based approach that serves the public interest.
While loan guarantees are under scrutiny by the Oversight Committee, the most important public policy consideration is public safety. Email #1. reveals that other agencies are involved in the review of unsupported evidence that supports a foregone conclusion.
Let's apply the "on the fly" approach used by the Obama White House to public safety and the FAA in the examples of Shepherd Flats land-based, and the Cape Wind offshore project.
The Shepherd Flats wind project in Oregon was held up by the Pentagon due to their concerns about radar interference. It was determined by the US Department of Defense, in cooperation with the British Ministry of Defense, that wind turbines cause radar intereference. Aircraft appears as clutter with shadowing when flights pass in the proximity of wind turbines, placing air travelers at risk of being undetected by Air Traffic Controllers.
A Washington Post article by Juliet Eilperin on 4/15/10, 'Pentagon objections hold up Oregon wind farm' reveals political tampering by the White House in an issue of pubic safety to advance Obama's green agenda.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041503120.html
Pentagon objections hold up Oregon wind farm
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 15, 2010; 9:09 PM
Clips:
Several proponents of the project -- including Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), as well as Caithness and GE officials -- have lobbied the White House on the matter. Wyden has indicated that he will put a hold on the nomination of Sharon Burke, who is in line to direct the Defense Department's Operational Energy Plans and Programs, until the two sides can reach agreement.
Pentagon officials have met with aides to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, National Economic Council Director Lawrence H. Summers and White House energy and climate change adviser Carol Browner in an effort to resolve the impasse. Merkley was awaiting a call from Emanuel on Thursday afternoon and said if he didn't receive it that day, "he'll hear back from me."
[cut]
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The FAA Internal Documents released during separate Congressional Investigations show a pattern of political influence by the White House to get projects like Cape Wind done at any cost.
http://stearns.house.gov/uploads/FAA%20Internal%20Documents.pdf
The taking of our natural resources by government in partnership with Limited Liability Corporations under the auspices of public and environmental "green" benefits amounts to a publicly funded sham. History reveals that crony capitalism and corporate welfare are the Hallmarks of Obama's White House. The President is defined by his actions that demonstrate the POTUS is, after all, exactly who he said he was not--in service to multinational corporations.
Both Committees' released emails provide compelling evidence that we can't afford another four years of wasteful spending on so called "green" initiatives advanced by processes that are "pure crap".
Crap in crap out.
http://dailybail.com/home/chart-energy-costs-and-recessions-1973-2009.html
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/05/news/nation/leading-national-bigfoot-researcher-plans-to-use-blimp-to-find-rare-cryptid/?ref=latest
Need I say more?
http://bangordailynews.com/2010/08/09/news/some-who-created-windpower-fast-track-now-questioning-the-goals-they-set/
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/22/green-drivel
The godfather of global warming lowers the boom on climate change hysteria
First Wind is behind the infamous Mars Hill project in ME which noise and adverse health issues resulted in this lawsuit:
http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/mars-hill-residents-suit-against-first-wind-et-al/
A New York resident describes her punishing experience with First Wind as published July 15, 2012, after she refused to sign a First Wind "gag" order: http://www.windaction.org/stories/35495
The Massachusetts Deval Patrick Administration's appointed Advisor for green policy is Paul Gaynor CEO/CFO of First Wind. Even while First Wind affiliates and subsidiaries notoriously build wind projects that have been seized by Italian Police in "Operation "Gone with the Wind'.
Kahuku Wind in Hawaii by First Wind received a $117 million fed loan guarantee, with a TRADE SECRET, Clipper Liberty wind turbine featured at Kahuku have mechanical and structural problems.
Trade Secret Indeed. Kahuku has caught on fire three times and now sits idle. The most recent fire at Kahuku involved back-up energy storage, by contractor Xtreme Battery, and the Xtreme battery storage facility has burned to the ground.
(UPC) First Wind is a Boston-based wind developer whose wind projects, under multiple subsidiaries, mechanically and structurally fail from Italy to Hawaii, yet developers continue to collect public subsidies.
The problems following First Wind are ignored by the MA Patrick Administration, even rewarded by them. The misery this company brings to communities from ME to Hawaii is thus faciliated by the Patrick Administration that ignores harm to rate and taxpayers.
First Wind Paul Gaynor is appointed by Governor Deval Patrick as Advisor to the "The Climate Protection Advisory Committee” under the Global Warming Solutions Act. Paul Gaynor is also co-chair of the Mass Department of Environmental Protection Advisory Committee “Low Carbon Energy Supply Subcommittee.” Gaynor served on the Working Group for Massachusetts Ocean Plan as President CEO/CFO of First Wind. First Wind CEO helped devise the first-in-the-nation Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Gaynor also sits on the Board of Managers of DeepWater Wind.
Paul Gaynor is a likely beneficiary of many MA green laws and rules in which he has had a hand and has financial interest in MA as evidenced by First Wind's application to build the Brimfield, MA wind project.
'Opponents celebrate First Wind's decision to withdraw Brimfield wind farm plan'
Published: Thursday, March 03, 2011, http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/opponents_celebrate_first_wind.html
First Wind CEO is the regulator and regulated in Massachusetts, who writes the rules that mandate the goods and services he sells in this marketplace.
'Wind law could benefit company ' (UPC First Wind)
By Christine McConville
Friday, November 6, 2009 -
"Despite significant opposition in Western Massachusetts, state environmental affairs secretary Ian Bowles is pushing hard to get a controversial wind-turbine law passed before the legislative session ends on Nov. 18."
"The bill could benefit a wind-energy firm, recently relocated to Boston, whose chief executive helped co-author the proposed law and whose financial backers have close ties to the Obama administration."
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1209968
How they get away with this I do not know.
There are so many entitites, LLCs in play, you'd think they were trying to hide something. As I recall, the SEC had asked them to get very specific about the multitude of LLCs, shortly before First Wind withdrew their IPO.
Company Overview of UPC Renewables China Holdings, Ltd.
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=27366196&privcapId=98562707
from this link:
Brian Eugene Caffyn Co-Founder, UPC Energy Group
Mr. Caffyn serves as Director or Partner of Evergreen Wind Power, LLC, Evergreen Wind Power II, LLC, Evergreen Wind Power III, LLC, Evergreen Wind Power IV, LLC, Evergreen Wind Power V, LLC.
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First Wind Holdings, Inc. SEC Form S1. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2008
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1434804/000104746908008563/a2186834zs-1.htm
....has several references to Evergreen, scroll down to the bottom of the form to find them, here's one>.
10.34 * Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Evergreen Wind Power, LLC dated as of March 27, 2007.
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I've found a few UPC, LLCs.
UPC HAWAII HOLDINGS, LLC
UPC HAWAII HOLDINGS, LLC
UPC HAWAII WIND
UPC HAWAII WIND PARTNERS II, L.L.C.
UPC HAWAII WIND PARTNERS II, LLC
UPC HAWAII WIND PARTNERS II, LLC
UPC HAWAII WIND PARTNERS, L.L.C.
UPC KAHUKU WIND POWER, LLC
UPC KAUAI WIND POWER, LLC
UPC WIND MANAGEMENT, LLC
UPC Asia Wind Partners, LLC
UPC Capital Partners (Holding) Cooperative, U.A.
UPC Construction Management, LLC
UPC Europe Wind Partners, LLC
UPC Hawaii Wind Construction, LLC
UPC Hawaii Wind O&M, LLC
UPC Helas Wind, EPE
UPC Maine Wind Construction, LLC
UPC Maine Wind O&M, LLC
UPC Management, LLC
UPC Mars Hill Wind Partners, LLC
UPC New York Wind, LLC
UPC O&M Management, LLC
UPC Oregon Wind, LLC
UPC Polish Wind Partners Spoika, Z.o.o.
UPC Renewables Partners (Holding) Cooperative, U.A.
UPC Solar, LLC
UPC Solar Management, LLC
UPC Solar Montebello/Orange, LLC
UPC Tunisia Wind Partners, LLC
UPC Utah Wind, LLC
UPC Vermont Wind, LLC
UPC Wind Gestione, S.r.l.
UPC Wind Partners, LLC
UPC Wind Partners II, LLC
UPC Wind Prospects, LLC
UPC Wind Uno, S.r.l.
UPC XET CA Management, LLC
http://www.nationallawjournal.com/id=1202668862475/Viridian-Energy-Sued-Over-Sales-Model-?slreturn=20141113092114
A proposed class action brought on behalf of customers of Viridian Energy LLC alleges the company uses a “bait-and-switch” sales model to lure them to sign up for the company’s purportedly cheaper electricity service that over time actually costs the households more.
Plaintiff Henry Daniyan of Baltimore alleges Viridian, which describes itself as an energy provider dedicated to environmentally friendly practices, persuades consumers to switch electric companies with a hard-sell that offers a low introductory rate, and implies that subsequent competitive market-based rates will result in significant savings on electric bills.
The complaint in Daniyan v. Veridian, filed August 25 in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleged that Connecticut-based Viridian consistently charged Daniyan higher rates than those of Baltimore Gas & Electric from June 2012 through March.
The lawsuit also includes transcripts of angry complaints that customers of Viridian, which sells energy in 15 states, have posted to online forums. The consumers reported similar rate disparities, including from some who said their Viridian bills are 100 percent higher than those from their previous electric company.
The putative class action also contends Viridian employs a multilevel marketing system in which independent sales agents—called “Independent Viridian Associates”—sell the company’s electric service directly to customers and earn more money by encouraging family and friends to switch to Viridian.
While Viridian discloses that its variable rates will fluctuate, it does not convey the magnitude of difference that commonly occurs, the complaint alleges.
Viridian got in hot water in 2012 with the Maryland Public Service Commission, which imposed a $60,000 civil penalty for allegedly engaging in false statements about Viridian’s relationship with utility companies, false promises of customer savings, and false claims that customers were not required to sign a contract, according to a commission press release.
Calling Viridian’s practices a “misleading and deceptive bait-and-switch scheme,” Daniyan alleges the company violated Maryland’s consumer protection act, and engaged in breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, common law fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. He asks for economic, compensatory damages, actual and treble damages, and injunctive relief.
Daniyan is represented by Brendan Thompson of Cuneo Gilbert and Laduca LLP.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/05/09/2-investigators-alternative-power-suppliers-may-not-be-cheaper/
(CBS) – You’ve probably heard that your ComEd bill will soon be going up as much as 38 percent.
So, is this a good time to shop the competition for an alternative power supplier?
As 2 Investigator Pam Zekman found out, you need to be careful before you sign on with another company.
Jason Bailin thought he was going to help the environment and save some money at the same time. As it turned out, he got the biggest electric bill he’s ever received.
“In February I paid $700 for my for a two bedroom condo,” Bailin said.
His home is heated by electricity and so is his electric stove in the kitchen, where he works on recipes for his business.
He signed up with an alternative energy supplier called Viridian after it offered him a low flat rate of 5.29 cents per kilowatt for six months.
“The first six months it was really great,” Bailin said. “Then all of a sudden after that the rate expired, my rate per month shot up to at least two to three times that rate and it was egregious.”
Even taking into account ComEd’s current looming rate increase — from 5 cents to 7 cents per kilowatt — Viridian was charging Bailin much more — up to 15.9 cents a kilowatt for one month.
When Bailin called to complain he says he was told by a customer service representative, “That’s the risk of a variable rate plan.”
Viridian offered Bailin a $50 discount and lower flat rate if he extended his contract for another six months. He turned that down and was then surprised to learnit would take two months before he could be switched back to ComEd.
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a non-profit organization that represents the interest of utility customers, has seen an increasing number of similar complaints about various alternative energy suppliers.
“We think some of these offers we’ve seen and received complaints about raise very serious policy issues that we think the Illinois commercecommission needs to address,” says David Kolata, CUB’s executive director.
In 2012, the Maryland Public Service Commission fined Viridian Energy $60,000 for using false and misleading marketing practices.
And in 2013 the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority settled a case with Public Power, a sister company of Viridian, after it agreed to credit customers with rate disputes $41,767.
A spokeswoman for Crius, the parent company for Public Power and Viridian, said those allegations were made before it took over Public Power.
“We did acquire the duty to settle their matters along with the acquisition of the company,” she said.
As a result of those cases and 68 other complaints, Viridian now has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau.
http://interchange.puc.state.tx.us/WebApp/Interchange/Documents/40090_16_725354.PDF
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Scroll down to page 9. I am advising everyone to avoid Viridian et.al..