UK Energy Schizophrenia (all pain, no gain)
By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 8, 2026“Whilst the government is pursuing a pragmatic approach to the North Sea, we have to accept the geological reality that North Sea gas production has declined by 74% since its peak in 2000 and we have been a net importer of gas since 2004.” – UK Government Report (below)
The United Kingdom represents less than one percent of global CO2 emissions. Yet the political class, including academic experts, will not be deterred from social injustice for consumers and self-annihilation of its economy. UK energy statism is tears-in-the-ocean–and for the wrong cause.
The latest report from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, titled “Gas System in Transition: Security of Supply (Interim Response),” tries to square the circle between decarbonization and economy. “The UK must decarbonize because of volatile, higher oil and natural gas prices, yet energy affordability is important too.”…
Continue ReadingEnergy Labor-saving Day
By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 6, 2026“Energy will do anything that can be done in the world.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)
Energy is the resource of resources, the master resource. This Labor Day weekend, give thanks to the dense, plentiful, affordable, reliable energies that have done much to improve living standards worldwide, while mastering the vagaries of extreme weather and climate. Think of it as Labor Saving Day. After all, eight billion consumers cannot be wrong.
The Old Days
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Continue ReadingCoping ‘Green” Energy Companies (economics rising)
By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 5, 2026“‘For years, the clean tech world had a lot of idealistic founders who felt that the rules of capitalism had changed, that politics would entirely reorient itself around stopping carbon dioxide emissions, and that’s how we were going to make money,’ said Cody Finke, the founder of a start-up called Brimstone. “And I think that was wishful thinking.’”
Brad Plumer, “How Clean Energy Firms Are Trying to Survive the Trump Era.” New York Times (March 28, 2026). Subtitle: “Offshore wind is out. Geothermal power is in. And many climate technology start-ups are looking for ways to carry on without federal backing.”
Clean energy isn’t dead in the Trump era. But it does look different these days.
Since returning to office, President Trump has dismantled federal efforts to fight climate change and vowed to stop new wind turbines from going up.…
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