“Affordable, reliable energy is critical to human well-being.”
– Daniel Simmons (current DOE assistant secretary)
“When energy is scarce or expensive, people can suffer material deprivation and economic hardship.
– John Holdren (former Obama science advisor)
A top official of the US Department of Energy did something last week that had not been done in many, many years. In his Statement for the Record, Daniel R Simmons, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), presented a pro-consumer brief (as in real consumerism, not what experts think is best for consumers with another agenda in mind) in a hearing on appliance standards before the US House of Representatives.
Energy sustainability can and should be defined in terms of consumer welfare. As Obama’s former science advisor John Holdren stated (above), energy is not a luxury but a necessity–and is respected as such in free market, capitalist societies.…
“Better climate knowledge about natural versus anthropogenic forcing seems to be a decade away.”
“The civil level of discourse was a pleasure to observe. Statements of respect and appreciation often preceded the words ‘but I disagree’ followed by a mildly worded but sharp rebuttal.”
“Better climate knowledge about natural versus anthropogenic forcing seems to a decade away.” That was the major takeaway from a major 1999 climate conference in Houston, Texas as noted by Martin Cassidy of the Houston Geological Society, who authored a conference summary, “Global Climate Change: Panel Agrees: ‘In 10 Years We Will Know‘.”
In fact, one of the conference participants, Gerald North, climatologist at Texas A&M, repeated this a decade after this conference. In his words:
In another decade of research we will have squared away a lot of our uncertainties about forced climate change.…
“I will urge Congress to create an energy mobilization board which, like the War Production Board in World War II, will have the responsibility and authority to cut through the red tape, the delays, and the endless roadblocks to completing key energy projects.”
“So, the solution of our energy crisis can also help us to conquer the crisis of the spirit in our country. It can rekindle our sense of unity, our confidence in the future, and give our nation and all of us individually a new sense of purpose.”
“We have the world’s highest level of technology. We have the most skilled work force, with innovative genius, and I firmly believe that we have the national will to win this [energy] war.”
“I do not promise you that this struggle for [energy] freedom will be easy.…