A Free-Market Energy Blog

‘Combined Heat and Power’ Distributed Generation: Beware of Government Mandates, Subsidies

By Donn Dears -- March 13, 2017

“In cities, piping exhaust steam to closely packed buildings can make sense. But trying to impose CHP in typical American suburbs where there are no industrial uses, or to where buildings are widely spaced, is irrational.”

“Combined Heat and Power has become a political football in the service of government energy planning to cut CO2 emissions. CHP can be used effectively in specific applications where it can be justified economically, but it shouldn’t be forced on Americans by government edict.”

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is dragged out periodically by anthropogenic global warming (AGW) activists who want to replace central-station electricity with distributed power from wind and solar. Power Magazine recently highlighted this movement in the section, “Global Developments Giving CHP a Much Needed Boost,” with two articles devoted to CHP installations.…

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Protect the Eagles: End USFWS’s 30-Year ‘Take’ Permits

By -- March 9, 2017

“The 30-year eagle take regulations are another example of the Obama White House rushing poorly considered policy that will have significant impact. Given the history of collaboration between Big Wind and FWS officials, the motives behind this push should be questioned by Congress and the public.”

“Making American Great Again means restoring our appreciation and respect for America’s Symbol – The Eagle!”

Editor’s Note: This essay is the final in a series aimed at highlighting the most harmful wind energy-related policies of the Obama era. In this piece we examine the relationship between the wind industry and US Fish and Wildlife Service officials, which has led to reckless ‘midnight rules’ that support 30-year permits to destroy America’s symbol – the Eagle. We recommend Congress roll-back the permit regulations under the Congressional Review Act.

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‘No Left Turns’ (self-interested conservation at UPS)

By -- March 8, 2017

“UPS engineers found while studying the performance of its truck fleet that left-hand turns were a major drag on efficiency. Turning against traffic resulted in long waits in left-hand turn lanes that wasted time and fuel, and it also led to a disproportionate number of accidents.”

“The [Mythbusters] program sent a truck out to deliver packages following a normal route and one employing the left-turnless UPS route. They found the UPS approach saved gas but took a bit longer.”

While it is hard to believe that you can drive longer and go farther and actually save gasoline, United Parcel Services Inc. (UPS), the ubiquitous package delivery service famous for its brown trucks and drivers’ uniforms, has proven this scenario to be true.

Back in 2004, UPS announced it would begin a policy of planning its delivery routes in such a way as to avoid making left-hand turns. …

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Alex Epstein Wants to Debate (and he is a polite debater)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 7, 2017
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DOE’s EERE: Reform Ideas for Secretary Perry

By Mark Krebs and Tom Tanton -- March 6, 2017
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Denial is a River in California: Can Oroville Spark New Dam Building?

By -- March 3, 2017
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Wind Energy and Aviation Safety (Part V)

By -- March 2, 2017
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Fracking Becomes the Centerpiece

By William D. Balgord -- March 1, 2017
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US Offshore Wind: Tax Machines Offset Bad Economics

By -- February 28, 2017
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Energy & Environmental Newsletter: February 27, 2017

By -- February 27, 2017
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