A Free-Market Energy Blog

California Floating Wind Turbines? Environmental Pushback

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- April 2, 2024

“It is entirely possible that the total costs to build, maintain and replace units every 20+ years (at end of service) would be prohibitive compared to other sources of energy. Beyond these cost considerations, sources indicate that the turbine blades cannot be recycled and are piling up in landfills. Fossil fuels will also still be needed to maintain the lubrication of these units, and what about potential for spillage?” (Jeff Wyles, below)

The old joke comes to mind: Q: When is an environmentalist not an environmentalist? A: When it comes to wind power.

Make that double for offshore wind, and wild-eyed California politicians are having trouble hiding the problems. Consider a recent op-ed, Rethink Floating Wind Turbine Power Off Our California Coastline?,” an environmental feature of California newspaper MendoFever (February 12, 2024).…

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Energy & Environmental Review: April 1, 2024

By -- April 1, 2024

Ed. Note: This post excerpts energy and climate material from the Media Balance Newsletter, a free fortnightly published by physicist John Droz Jr., founder of the Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. The complete Newsletter for this post can be found here.

Greed Energy Economics:
*** Bloomberg: Wind and solar will need subsidies indefinitely
US revises tax credit rule to help offshore wind projects

Unreliables (General):
*** “I Was Wrong About Renewables,” Says Former Green Energy Executive
*** Renewables will destroy America’s lifestyle back to the pre-1800’s – this is the Biden energy plan
*** The Coming Electricity Crisis
It’s Hailing on the Climate Crisis Green Energy Parade
Polish Farmers Stage 600 Protests in a Day Against EU Crippling Green Policies

Wind Energy — Offshore:
*** Conservative groups sue to stop Dominion VA offshore wind project
     Wind Project Sued Over Claimed Threat to Whales
*** Dominion Energy’s absurd reply to CFACT’s whale protection lawsuit

Wind Energy — Other:
*** Taking the Wind Out of Climate Change (referencing 60± studies)
*** Doctor: Infrasound From Wind Turbines Could Be ‘A Huge Threat to the Entire Biodiversity’
Can Wind Turbines Cause Developmental Deformities in Horses?

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EVs Not: Letters to the Editor, in the Houston Chronicle

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 29, 2024

The editorial pages of the Houston Chronicle, as well as news reports, did what they could to hype the “energy transition” before, during, and after CERAWeek. Chronicle business editorialist, the conflicted Chris Tomlinson, was particularly egregious in this regard. But just a bit of balance was achieved in the letters section, where an op-ed by Randall Morton, “Houston is making a losing bet on fossil fuels (Opinion),” (March 18), previously examined at MasterResource, received three rebuttals.

The letters follow:

Jim Lloyd, Lakewood, Colo.: Randall Morton painted a very grim picture for the future economics of Houston because of a lower demand for fossil fuels. Morton failed to account for several issues related to the principles of supply and demand. He simply needs to drive in the congested traffic of every large city.…

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Hawaii’s Energy Transition: Solar-for-Coal, One-third Rate Jump

By Richard Storm -- March 28, 2024
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Climate Alarmist as ExxonMobil Whistleblower

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 27, 2024
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“The Price Anderson Suicide Pact” (Devanny on nuclear power insurance reform)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 26, 2024
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Houston’s Robust Fossil Future (Chronicle’s CERAWeek op-ed misdirects)

By -- March 25, 2024
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No Federal CO2 Tax! (H. CON. RES. 86)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 22, 2024
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Climate Policy vs. Social Justice (‘Bloomberg Green’ decries rollbacks)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 21, 2024
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Nasser at CERA: Energy Exceptionalism vs Climate Politics

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 20, 2024
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