“It is no coincidence that a breakthrough in unconventional hydrocarbons (i.e., shale oil, shale gas, oil sands, and coalbed methane) should have taken place in some of the most economically free countries of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The combination of secure property rights, transparent and efficient regulation, a favorable tax regime, and minimal red tape made it possible.”
“One of the main obstacles to economic growth and social development in many resource economies is rent-seeking. It is not a unique feature of resource economies, but it does appear to have a particularly strong effect on them and to produce institutional weaknesses.”
– Peter Kaznacheev, Curse or Blessing? How Institutions Determine Success in Resource-Rich Economies, Cato Policy Analysis No. 808 (January 11, 2017)
This new study by Peter Kaznacheev, who is Senior Research Fellow at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) in Moscow, valuably interprets mineral resource theory in light of institutions (read: market versus government control).…
Continue Reading“Efforts to cut CO2 emissions are not only harmful, but fruitless. The United States can reassert its leadership by withdrawing from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty. It can then lead the world in economic development by encouraging the use of fossil fuels that provide cheap and reliable energy.”
Donn Dears is a charter member of the energy-realism school. A longtime industry participant (GE), he understands energy technology in light of market demand. A major theme in his writing is market reality versus political waste and political fantasy.
He blogs at his website, Power for USA, and posts at MasterResource. Dears also is a member of the distinguished profiled club of skeptics at DeSmogBlog.
Donn Dears has just published his fourth book, CLEXIT: For a Brighter Future.…
Continue ReadingThe Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving national, state, and local energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for more information).
A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.
Some of the more important articles in this issue are:
Wind Energy is an Attack on Rural America
As Wind Grows, So Does Its Opposition
Five Key Reasons to Pull the Plug on Wind Subsidies
Proposed US Carbon Tax — A Recipe for Disaster
The War on Affordable Electricity
Science Deniers in the Wind Industry
Short video: Poison Wind
How Would Oklahoma’s Anti-Wind Tax Affect The State’s Industry?…
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