Back To Berlin: Obama Should Take a Second Look at German Policies
By Institute for Energy Research Wednesday, June 19, 2013
While running for president in 2008, then-Sen. Obama delivered a speech in Germany in which he urged the world to “look at Berlin” for inspiration to “save this planet” by curbing carbon dioxide emissions. Five years later, President Obama is returning to the country he once heralded as a model for the world, yet history has not played out as President Obama hoped.
The Bloom is Off Bloom EnergyBy Institute for Energy Research Tuesday, June 18, 2013
In 2010, fuel cell manufacturer Bloom Energy unveiled its “Bloom Energy Server.” The unveiling and subsequent press attention claimed that these “Bloom Boxes” were green, efficient and represented the future of energy production. But three years later it appears that Bloom Energy’s success can be attributed to savvy PR and government subsidies—not a superior product. After reviewing Bloom’s products in the real world, it appears that not only are Bloom Boxes functionally the same as natural gas power plants, but they are less efficient.
IER Examines Green Pricing ProgramsBy Institute for Energy Research Monday, June 17, 2013
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Institute for Energy Research (IER) released today a white paper entitled “Evaluating Voluntary Consumer Adoption of Green Pricing Programs.” The result of the analysis by IER policy experts examines information gathered from 31 utility companies across the nation that offer “opt-in” green pricing initiatives as a way to expand the adoption and utilization of renewable energy sources. IER’s analysis found that customer willingness to pay for Green Pricing Programs is directly correlated with the ability to pay and afford the added costs of a program which offers no immediate tangible benefit in exchange for a promise of future environmental gain. Additional findings include:
The Flushing OuthouseBy Dr. Ileana Johnson Paugh Monday, June 17, 2013
Ray loves to tell stories about his childhood of long ago America - his eyes twinkle with excitement. He was a teen in rural West Virginia of 1950, carefree and happy. His parents’ farmhouse lacked indoor plumbing, not that it bothered the boys that much. They bathed every Saturday evening before church in the family washtub in the kitchen after the adults in the household.
A Climate Debate: Both Sides Showed Up!
By Dennis Avery Saturday, June 15, 2013
Churchville, VA—I just took part in a remarkable event: a public debate over manmade global warming in which both sides appeared—and the Associated Press reported on it! I have been invited to many of these events over the past six years, but the warmists always canceled when they found a skeptic was part of the deal.
Oil brings us to a better placeBy Caroline Glick Friday, June 14, 2013
By all accounts, Shai Agassi, the founder and original CEO of Better Place, Israel’s bankrupt electric car company, is an extremely charismatic man. His charm had politicians, venture capitalists, celebrities and non-automotive industry reporters slobbering over him. Everyone wanted to get their picture taken with the man who would transform Israel’s auto industry into the first electric powered industry in the world and transform the start-up nation into the transportation hothouse for the world.
Why the “Social Cost of Carbon” MattersBy Institute for Energy Research Thursday, June 13, 2013
In a previous post, we discussed the recently announced increase in the White House estimate of the “social cost of carbon” (SCC). The SCC refers to the present-value of projected future net damages from emitting an additional unit (a ton, say) of carbon into the atmosphere. As we explained, the estimate of the SCC has increased drastically in just three years. Now a Bloomberg article on the revised figures underscores just how politically significant the change is; this isn’t merely a technical bookkeeping operation.
Maine: An Energy and Economic AnalysisBy Institute for Energy Research Thursday, June 13, 2013
Maine does not have fossil fuel reserves of its own, but it has vast renewable energy potential. Because of its substantial use of wood as fuel, the state has the highest percentage of non-hydroelectric renewable energy use in the country. Maine produces more electricity from burning wood and wood waste than any other state, as these resources provide over a quarter of the state’s electricity. Due to its forest products industry, Maine is the only New England State in which industry is the leading energy-consuming sector, accounting for 34 percent of its energy consumption in 2010. It has the lowest average electricity prices among the New England states.
Hydrogen-Powered Cars – A Pipedream
By Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser Wednesday, June 12, 2013
A recent edition of our newspaper had a 24-page insert with the title “Green Agenda.” Actually, it’s a so-called Special Information Feature, AKA an “infomercial” on new car models and technologies.
Fossil Fuel Production on Federal Lands at a Ten Year LowBy Institute for Energy Research Monday, June 10, 2013
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) just released its report, Sales of Fossil Fuels Produced on Federal and Indian Lands, FY 2003 Through FY 2012.[ i ] This report shows that total fossil fuel production on federal lands is at a ten year low, natural gas production on federal lands is also at a ten year low, and oil production on federal land fell in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 ending two years of increase in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Specifically the new EIA report shows:
LEEDCo: Anti wind movement protests even a single turbine in the LakesBy News on the Net Monday, June 10, 2013
“Whose money is being spent on a project that has not even been approved, and why is drilling of the lake bottom being permitted at this stage?” Suzanne Albright, Great Lakes Wind Truth
Leedco’s First Fresh Water Lake Energy Scam Energizes International Watchdog Agencies: More Resolve That The Great Lakes Are Not Doomed To Become Another Green Energy Basket Case
Worrying Ourselves Sick With the Nocebo EffectBy Jack Dini Saturday, June 8, 2013
Have you ever gotten sick just thinking about something? If so, you possibly have experienced the nocebo effect. The nocebo effect is the negative stepsister of the placebo effect, where we feel good after eating foods, taking a remedy, or doing something we believe is healthy.
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