A Free-Market Energy Blog

Chevron’s Watson Likes His Industry (apologies not from the heroic oil/gas patch)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 24, 2014

“In the past ten years the world has added three-quarters of a billion people to the middle class. For more than two centuries the United States has helped lead many of these advancements by spreading our ideals of free markets, free trade, rule-of-law, and limited state involvement that allow private initiative to innovate and drive advances.”

Chevron CEO John Watson’s pro-energy emphasis in public forums has been featured at MasterResource before. His latest speech was made before the Economic Club of Minnesota in Minneapolis on September 16, 2014. It is reproduced (subtitles added) in its entirety.

Minnesota is home to so many great companies…3M, Target, General Mills, Cargill and others that play a very important role in our country’s economic growth. These companies and the other members of the Economic Club of Minnesota are providing jobs and opportunity for this community and serving as an example of leadership for the entire Midwest.

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Center for the Study of Science Expands: Cato Institute at the Forefront of the Climate, Science Debates

By Chip Knappenberger -- September 23, 2014

“We believe that some highly qualified scientists should be taking a more clear-eyed look at the data policymakers are using to draw conclusions which have resulted in a regulatory structure that inhibits economic activity and stifles innovation.”

Pat Michaels, director, Center for the Study of Science, September 19, 2014.

The Cato Institute is expanding the reach of its Center for the Study of Science, one of its ten centers. [1] The Center began two years ago with a scholarly mission to investigate and document the role of government incentives in shaping science. This role is quite evident in the realm of global warming–and the jungle of government regulations that have grown up around it.

The Center was initially built around the climate issue (thus my early involvement). But the influence of a large centralized source of decision-making and funding is to be found in a broad range disciplines—and so part of our expanded efforts will towards enlarging our base of experts and topics covered.

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Faith or Reason in the Climate Debate?

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 22, 2014

“As governments consider far-reaching, costly policies to mitigate human contribution to global warming, Christian leaders need to become well informed of the scientific, economic, and ethical debates surrounding the issue.”

– Cornwall Alliance, “Protect the Poor: Ten Reasons to Oppose Harmful Climate Change Policies,” September 19, 2014.

The Cornwall Alliance’s recent release, “Protect the Poor: Ten Reasons to Oppose Harmful Climate Change Policies” (reproduced below)—signed by more than 140 scientists, economics, theologians, and philosophers—blends a good deal of climate realism and pro-poor public policies. Of the ten, #2 through #10 are science/intellectually based. Point #1, however, is partially faith- (not science-) based but can be easily fortified. As amended, the Cornwall release can appeal to secularists, not only evangelical Christians.

Restating Point #1

Point #1 reads as follows:

As the product of infinitely wise design, omnipotent creation, and faithful sustaining (Genesis 1:1–31; 8:21–22), Earth is robust, resilient, self-regulating, and self-correcting.

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Stop the Scare! (GIGO climate models vs. human needs)

By Willie Soon and Christopher Monckton of Brenchley -- September 19, 2014
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James Hansen’s Tax-Tariff-Reparations Climate Policy

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 18, 2014
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Are California Municipal Water Rates Too Low to Spur Conservation?

By -- September 17, 2014
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Motor Trends: More Cars, More Miles, Less Usage per Mile (Jevons Paradox at work)

By -- September 16, 2014
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Auto Bubble? Easy Credit Might Be Bad Credit (politically low interest rates at work)

By -- September 15, 2014
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Houston Climate Conference Sept. 25/26: Unsettled Science Trending Optimistically

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 12, 2014
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Demythologizing California’s Drought ‘Demythologizers’

By -- September 11, 2014
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