A Free-Market Energy Blog

Preferential/Political Dispatch: Rigging the Market Against Baseload Energy

By Donn Dears -- November 13, 2017

“‘Deregulated’ markets have introduced a mechanism that virtually always selects wind and solar over coal, natural gas, or nuclear powerWhether this was a deliberate effort to favor wind and solar to cut CO2 emissions to combat global warming is unknown, but the effect of preferential dispatching has been to close fossil fuel power plants, as well as nuclear plants.”

The preferential dispatch system used by many RTO/ISO grid operators favors wind and solar to the exclusion of critical baseload power from fossil fuel and nuclear power plants.

Preferential dispatching is destructive because it results in the closure of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants–the reliable and scale economy energies that form the backbone of the modern electricity grid.

It could also be called discriminatory because it discriminates against baseload power.…

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Climate Brainwashing? James Hansen Programs a Grandchild

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 9, 2017

“Species are disappearing. Coral reefs are bleaching. Their life is disappearing. Droughts become stronger and fires are raging, driving refugees and increasing conflict among people. Storms become stronger and floods more devastating. Ice sheets are melting. We debate whether we will lose coastal cities in 150 years, or 100 years or 50 years. Do adults wonder why young people have increased anxiety today?”

James Hansen’s granddaughter. Presentation at COP-23 in Bonn, Germany, 6 November 2017.

The Church of Climate knows few bounds. Serial exaggerator climate scientist James Hansen has introduced his own with the fronting of a grand-daughter (her name is not important here) who speaks his words with his conviction. Never mind that even among climate alarmists, James Hansen is an outlier. Never mind that the warming and sea level rise he has long predicted is significantly overstated.…

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Are US Vehicle-Mileage Standards Obsolete?

By Steve Goreham -- November 8, 2017

“… new mileage standards will raise vehicle prices and may force the adoption of electric cars. But there is no evidence that the regulations will have a measurable effect on global temperatures.”

“[US EPA] Administrator Scott Pruitt launched a review of the strict mileage regulations from the Obama Administration. It’s long past time for a roll-back of obsolete US vehicle mileage regulations.”

Regulations to reduce fuel consumption and to increase vehicle mileage were born during the oil shock of the 1970s. But within the last decade, the fracking revolution reestablished the United States as the world’s energy superpower.

Are vehicle mileage standards now obsolete?

In October 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) declared an oil embargo, targeting the United States and other nations. Within six months, the world price of petroleum quadrupled, from $3 to $12 per barrel.…

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GOP Tax Plan Resets Big Wind

By -- November 7, 2017
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Energy & Environmental Newsletter: November 6, 2017

By -- November 6, 2017
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RFF Rethink on ‘Social Cost of Carbon’: You Have Just Begun (SBC, SCG need to be added)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 2, 2017
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Trump Administration Stays on Track on Big Energy Picture

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 1, 2017
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Halloween Thoughts from a Harvard Man (Holdren can play himself tonight)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- October 31, 2017
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Wind PTC: Excessive Benefit Demands Repeal

By -- October 30, 2017
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ANWR: Let’s Go! (Driessen’s 2012 wisdom comes of age)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- October 26, 2017
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