A recent article in the New York Times, “Not So Green After All: Alternative Fuel Still a Dalliance for Oil Giants,” chronicled the move away from politically correct (but economically incorrect) wind and solar energy by the oil majors.

Royal Dutch Shell and BP, in particular, recognize wind and solar as what they are: dilute, intermittent energies that are not consumer friendly or economic. And their investment returns in the same have been lackluster. Shell and BP have found out what Exxon Mobil learned in the 1970s.

“Oil giants worldwide are skeptical that President Barack Obama’s plans to move the economy away from petroleum will be successful,” Jad Mouawad wrote in the Times. “Many of the oil companies are sticking to their hydrocarbon business model and some are backing away from commitments to renewable power.”…

Jeffry Clarke, CEO of Power , commented:

I’ve read your endless posts over the years and I see, as all do, the evident bias. In fact, I find it hard to imagine that one person could seek out so many pro-renewables posts to comment on negatively. Must be an army of Rob Bradleys working to spread the message. If you’re suggesting that you aren’t motivated by your funders, I respect your independence, but your comments are consistently in line with what one would think they would ask of you. Respect for that. Man on a mission, delivering. Have a great weekend.

I responded twice (here and here):

Nope, just me. And built up a following past 11k in the last several years. My beliefs predate my funding.

Ed. Note: Today’s post concludes a three-part lookback at Lee R. Raymond (1938–2026), the no-nonsense value-creator at Exxon Mobil (also see Part I and Part II).

The large, ever-growing list of climate “deniers” at DeSmog Blog documents a growing consensus against climate exaggeration and “green” energy inferiority. MasterResource has long documented this “backfire” at this Progressive Left, anti-fossil-fuel UK website.

The energy and climate views of Lee R. Raymond are presented by DeSmog below. Read and decide for yourself; was Exxon/Exxon-Mobil’s leader (1993–2005) correct in his time and today? Many scientific, economic, and political trends, in fact, are moving in the direction that his thinking would support.

Credentials

• Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Minnesota (May 16, 2011).¹
• PhD, chemical engineering, University of Minnesota (1963).²
• BSc, chemical engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison (1960).

Ed. Note: Lee R. Raymond died last week at age 87. The top integrated oil leader of his era is featured in three posts this week at MasterResource (Part II; Part III). Past posts on Raymond can be found here.

“[Lee Raymond] is a leader among leaders. He’s always encouraged and considered a range of views and opinions on a multitude of issues … including climate change.” – Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan.

If the bottom line of business is winning for consumers and stockholders, few have matched the accomplishments of Lee Raymond (1938–2026), whose 42 years at Exxon/Exxon-Mobil culminated as CEO from 1993 through 2005. His is a classic case of creating sustainable economic value through talent, focus, and perseverance. Forget what those with termite aspirations toward fossil fuels think.…