To: USA Today Editor - letters@usatoday.com November 20, 2009

From: Robert E. Aliasso, Jr.

PO Box 148 (8748 State Route 178)

Henderson, NY 13650

Day Phone (315) 771-9753 Evening Phone (315) 938-7553

RE: Editorial

Your recent article (11/18/2009) about Texas’ Cielo Wind Power project‘s endorsement from Energy Secretary Chu for Stimulus Funds even with 47% imported components shows how greed rules these projects, not green. The developers stand to make substantial returns on their investments, with essentially an interest free loan from the US taxpayer. The article also cites US$880 million of these loans already in place – all sent to foreign firms. These loans are further sweetened by state tax credits, green tag tax credits, and depreciation tax credits. How can the US taxpayer subsidize 60% of the project cost, and our federal government allow a return for investors at 25%?

It is apparent with this formula economics are not considered. Wind Generation is subsidized on the average US$23.37 per mWh, just under 50% of the average USA electric price. The developers tout Renewable Power Sources and Green Energy, then irreparably eliminate the green-scape of our lands. The only green associated with these projects is that we ship offshore and to the developers.

Interestingly the article is about Sen. Charles D. Schumer D-NY fighting to stop a project in Texas, while in his home state contentious projects in the Finger Lakes and Thousand Islands stand to make those developers nearly as much money. The Galloo Island project near Henderson NY stands to harm prime agricultural lands in a County that ranks 51^st in the USA for dairy production. This area known as the Golden Crescent seems to have turned into the goose that laid the golden egg for Upstate NY Power Corporation. Paging Sen. Schumer – please come home.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Aliasso, Jr.

Robert E. Aliasso, Jr.