Pierre Desrochers’ course at the University of Toronto Mississauga, Energy and Society, might just be the single best introduction to its subject in North America.
The students get both sides in impressive depth. As such, this course provides a study guide for anyone interested in the multi-faceted issues around the master resource.
Part I today presents the course description as well as the videos and readings from the first two weeks of the class. Part II tomorrow will cover the readings for carbon-based energies (oil, natural gas, coal).
Objective:
The development of new energy sources has had a major impact on the development of both human societies and the environment. This course will provide a broad survey of past and current achievements, along with failures and controversies, regarding the use of various forms of energy.…
Continue Reading “Why should utility customers continue to pay for bad programs that increase their rates at the benefit of a few? We should be mindful of the words of Milton Friedman: ‘One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.’ “
In the real world, “free lunches” that benefit society are as rare as snow in Phoenix. Even when given a free meal, one often has to listen to an often boring sales pitch or speech.
Only in fantasy land are socially-beneficial “free lunches” ubiquitous. As one example, Amory Lovins once remarked that energy efficiency is the “lunch you are paid to eat.” Using the label “no-regrets,” policymakers frequently push actions that they endorse as unequivocally good – everyone wins, no one loses.…
Continue ReadingThe Alliance for
Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and
organizations interested in improving national, state, and local
energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like
these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for
more information).
A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end,
every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is
found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We
appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in
publishing this information.
Some of the more important articles in this issue are:
Wind & solar are always ruinously expensive
President Trump Seeking Major Cuts to Renewable Subsidies
How did Rick Perry and DOE get into the Ditch???
Excellent Video: Why Renewables Can’t Save the Planet
100% renewable energy isn’t a response to climate change — it’s a retreat
Report: Will Batteries be the Savior of Big Wind?…
Continue Reading