A Free-Market Energy Blog

Creeping Freedom: Oregon Legalizes (Some) Self-Service at the Pump

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 16, 2018

“The Indiana Petroleum Associa­tion, whose members feared the combination of locational conven­ience and discount prices from cost economies, lobbied the state Fire Marshall who warned of the hazards of self‑service. Effective June 1, 1930, a statewide regulation allowed only station owners or regular employees to dispense gasoline.”

“For a price premium estimated to be between three-to-five cents per gallon, the benefits of Oregon’s longstanding self-service ban are said to be less spillage, less risk of fire, and a trained person ‘to maintain a clear view of and give undivided attention to the pumping process’.”

The rise and legalization of self-service at the service station is one of the longest and most colorful episodes in the history of US oil and gas regulation. Until recently, only New Jersey (1948–) and Oregon (1951–) still had laws making it illegal to offer serve yourself gasoline and diesel.…

Continue Reading

Anatomy of a Debate: When Renewables ‘Lost’ at The Economist

By Jon Boone -- January 15, 2018

“This house believes that subsidizing renewable energy is a good way to wean the world off fossil fuels.”

– ECONOMIST magazine, Online debate, November 8–18, 2011

[Ed. Note: Six years ago, the prestigious Economist magazine held an on-line debate on the future of energy policy. Despite a loaded affirmative motion (above), an upset victory was achieved with 8,916 votes opposed and 8,346 in favor of the proposition. The third most votes of 92 such debates, 70,000 visits produced 448 comments. Jon Boone’s writeup of the debate is reproduced below.]

Last month, The Economist magazine conducted a two-week Oxford style online debate over the proposition “that subsidizing renewable energy is a good way to wean the world off fossil fuels.”

“Renewable” in this case is really politically correct renewables: basically wind power, with some solar and a bit of of biofuel/geothermal thrown in.

Continue Reading

More Tributes in the Energy and Climate Debate (Part II)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 11, 2018

Last week, I recognized twelve individuals associated with free-market, classical-liberal energy analysis and advocacy. Here is a second “tribute” to those who have labored against the mainstream of Malthusianism and energy statism–and now find themselves with new opportunities to formulate, summarize, and promote pro-consumer, taxpayer-neutral energy policy.

This list is in alphabetical order. It is subjective and hardly exhaustive. Other candidates (such as the present writer) could also be included–and could be in a future iteration.

ROBERT BRYCE is a force for energy realism. His highly readable, well researched books (three on energy, two on energy-related cronyism) are joined by highly effective opinion-page editorials in leading publications, such as the Wall Street Journal. A convert to the free-market beginning with his third book (from a politically correct all-of-the-above energy view), Bryce has  reached progressive audiences with a message that renewable energies are quite imperfect substitutes for dense mineral energies.…

Continue Reading

‘Dear Daniel Yergin: Give Alex Epstein the Microphone at CERAWeek’ (2016 Idea of Age in 2018)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 10, 2018
Continue Reading

Mass Transit: Perilous Times Ahead (new strategies needed)

By Randal O'Toole -- January 9, 2018
Continue Reading

Energy & Environmental Newsletter: January 8, 2018

By -- January 8, 2018
Continue Reading

Tribute for Twelve in the Energy/Climate Debate (Part I)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 4, 2018
Continue Reading

‘Electrification’: The Road to Higher Energy Prices

By Steve Goreham -- January 3, 2018
Continue Reading

Tax Reform: New Uncertainties for Big Wind (political risks for a political business model)

By -- January 2, 2018
Continue Reading

Holiday Happy: Energy Policy Victories in 2017

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 21, 2017
Continue Reading