A Free-Market Energy Blog

BC’s Carbon Tax: Inapplicable to America

By -- September 3, 2014

“The chief reason BC is not an appropriate ‘model’ for the U.S. is that the province’s geology, climate, and electric supply system are dissimilar to those of most American states. BC’s peculiar electricity fuel mix sharply limits the damage that a $30/ton carbon tax can do to the province’s economy. Nearly all of BC’s base load electricity is zero-carbon hydropower…. Natural gas is the only part of BC’s electric supply system subject to the tax …. and generates less than 6% of BC’s electricity.”

To persuade Americans — especially conservatives and libertarians — that a carbon tax can “work” (reduce emissions) without harming the economy, some proponents tout British Columbia’s carbon tax, enacted in May 2008. How relevant is the British Columbia (BC) “model” to U.S. climate and tax policy debates?…

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Big Wind’s Last Gasp

By -- September 2, 2014

Wind energy development in the United States has slumped. Despite record installations in 2012, and eking out a 1-year, $12 billion extension [1] of the wind production tax credit (PTC), new wind capacity last year fell to just 1,087 megawatts, a level not seen in more than a decade. Development in 2014 is showing signs of improvement, but the year may not fare much better.

The industry blames Congress and the uncertainty surrounding the PTC for the slowdown. But such thinking is overly simplistic and ignores the fundamental challenges facing big wind. This slump, like others that plagued development in prior years, can be traced directly to generous government assistance, current energy prices, and the inherent limitations of wind power.

Slowdown Reasons

The Section 1603 cash grants enacted under ARRA fueled a wind bubble as developers raced to build and qualify their sites.…

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MasterResource on Break (back September 2nd)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 27, 2014

… and already looking forward to the November release of Alex Epstein’s historic, timely call to national/international debate.

Early Praise ….

 “With more politicians in climate science than scientists, the refining fire of debate has devolved into the burning of heretics. Alex Epstein’s The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels may make your blood boil, but his cool reason and cold, hard facts will lead us beyond hysterics to a much better future.”

 

–Peter Thiel, entrepreneur and investor (cofounder of PayPal)

 

“If you want to see the power of fine logic, fine writing, and fine research, read Epstein’s book. In my long career, it is simply the best popular-market book about climate, environmental policy, and energy that I have read. Laymen and experts alike will be boggled by Epstein’s clarity.”

 

–Patrick J.

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James Hansen: “I Struggle to Sleep” (with current energy trends, energy policy)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 26, 2014
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Desrochers on Food: Politically Incorrect, Economically and Environmentally Correct

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 25, 2014
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Exposing Big Bad Green

By E. Calvin Beisner -- August 21, 2014
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Industrial Wind Needs Blowback (Siemens ad campaign targeting U.S. taxpayers)

By Mary Kay Barton -- August 20, 2014
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Letter to Auditor General for Ontario from North American Platform Against Windpower

By Sherri Lange -- August 19, 2014
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AWED Energy & Environmental Newsletter: August 18, 2014

By -- August 18, 2014
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Can CARB and U.C. Handle the Truth About Cap and Trade? A Rebuttal

By -- August 14, 2014
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