Wind Power: Blowing This Way?

An upstart pyramid scheme to bring wind power to gusty regions of Kansas is spinning heads in the mid-west.

1 minute read

February 26, 2005, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest


Troy Helming has founded a company called Krystal Planet, dedicated to bringing wind energy to Kansas ASAP. His followers are called "ecos," short for "energy consultants," and they recently met at the first annual Krystal Planet Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Expo. Helming authored "The Clean Power Revolution," which includes a "Freedom Plan" to get America powered 100 percent by renewable energy -- such as wind power and hydrogen power -- by 2025. Is Helming an altruist out to clean our air? No way. He's trying to make some serious money, and a recent Congressional-approved tax break that provides incentives "for developers hoping to finance wind-energy projects" might allow him to do just that. But can his pyramid scheme, which is based around a sensitive area in Kansas, really work?

Thanks to David Gest

Thursday, February 17, 2005 in Kansas City Pitch Weekly

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