A Free-Market Energy Blog

Natural Gas Vehicles 2014: Caution, not Government Subsidies

By -- July 8, 2014

“It was somewhat disconcerting to hear about the economic challenges from NGV fleet operators. In an interview [one] said: ‘Right now, we’re doing it solely for sustainability. We’re not saving any money. I’m glad to hear we’re not the only one to struggle with fuel mileage’.”

Several weeks ago, the Natural Gas Vehicle USA Conference was held in Houston, Texas. The promise of the industry was discussed in light of the economic challenge facing the fuel’s acceptance for transportation.

There are a handful of vehicles in Houston powered by compressed natural gas. Their owners, many of whom are affiliated with the natural gas or energy industries, talked about the benefits of their cars. 

However, they are often forced to acknowledge the challenges that come with owning a natural gas vehicle (NGV), which includes the loss of significant storage space in the vehicle due to the need for a large fuel tank. 

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AWED Energy & Environmental Newsletter: July 7, 2014

By -- July 7, 2014

The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving energy & environmental policies. Our basic position is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science. It’s all spelled out at WiseEnergy.org, which has a wealth of energy and environmental resources.

A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every 3 weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and environmental matters. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.

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Greed Energy Economics:

Brookings: Economically, Wind & Solar are Worst Options

Bill Gates: “I Used to Take Electricity for Granted”. No more.

Levelized cost of energy: A limited metric

Why “Green Energy” is Economic Nonsense

Solar (and Wind): Green for the Air, Filthy for the Grid

Solar power compared to some conventional sources

Rooftop Solar Leases Scaring Buyers When Homeowners Sell

Net Metering 101

Greenpeace: “a threat to national economic security”

France Proposes Substituting Unreliables for Nuclear

New Study: The Economic Impact of the Illinois RPS

Green-collar crime ~ carbon markets and financial crime risks

Houston man allegedly sold more than $29 million in fake renewable credits

Senator Manchin: Don’t renew wind tax credit (PTC)

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Independence Against Big Government

By Richard Ebeling -- July 4, 2014

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Most Americans easily recall these eloquent words with which the Founding Fathers expressed the basis of their claim for independence from Great Britain in 1776.…

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Remembering Adam Smith this July 4th (Part 2)

By Richard Ebeling -- July 3, 2014
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Wind Setbacks: Safety First (unless you’re a wind developer)

By -- July 1, 2014
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Risky Argumentation: Henry Paulson (2014) Recycles Ken Lay (1997)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 30, 2014
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$10,000 Bet on Climate Change: Asking the Wrong Question

By E. Calvin Beisner -- June 26, 2014
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Energy and U.S. Middle East Policy: Shaky Foundations

By Greg Rehmke -- June 25, 2014
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Obama’s Energy Plan to Plug California Leakage (to Texas)

By Wayne Lusvardi and Charles Warren -- June 24, 2014
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Heartland Institute: Reality Check for the Climate Debate (Las Vegas conference July 7–9)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 23, 2014
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