A Free-Market Energy Blog

“My Work Here Is Finished” (thank you Marita Noon)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 17, 2016

“Trump’s energy policies are my energy policies. Mission accomplished.”

 – Marita Noon, “My Work Here Is Finished,” November 14, 2016.

Marita Noon has been a talented voice in the energy debate during what will be remembered as a particularly dark era. She began by surviving New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson and outlasted Barack Obama at the end.

Interestingly, Marita started from scratch and learned all about energy at a time when there were very few of us working full time from a free market perspective. As a newcomer, she weighted the arguments on their merits and constantly asked: What is energy, why is it important, and why do citizens and voters care about energy?

Marita’s high energy level was something to behold–as in ‘turning your umbrella inside out’.  She spoke to common men and women throughout the industry at conferences, in print, and on the air.…

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Canada: More Pipeline Export Capacity Needed

By -- November 16, 2016

“The Canadian federal government’s decision about Trans Mountain on December 19th will be an important milestone for the nation’s energy business. There are still numerous other policy decisions that must be addressed before Canada develops a full-scale oil and gas export expansion regime, but the first steps appear to have been taken last week.”

“Despite being the ‘environmental’ prime minister, Mr. Trudeau is recognizing that without more oil and gas export opportunities, his nation’s economy, which depends on a healthy energy economy, will suffer with many social and financial repercussions.”

Canada ranks third in the world in total oil resources due to its oil sands. The country, with 95% of its resources located in its oil sands deposits in Western Canada, trails Venezuela, with its huge heavy oil deposits, and Saudi Arabia, with only conventional oil resources, in the world’s oil resource rankings.…

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LEED: From Market Efficiency to Political Conservationism

By Jim Clarkson -- November 15, 2016

“Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.”

LEED Website

“LEED advocates say the added cost of building to their standards is small. That may be true for the actual recommended energy measures; it is the certification process that is so costly.”

“Proponents of LEED say there are short paybacks and many benefits for the extra costs. But the environmental benefits are subjective…. Plus, many of the projected savings for LEED buildings are proving very difficult to verify.”

“LEED with its one-size-fits-all standard … may not hold up in competition with voluntary energy efficiency programs.”

– Jim Clarkson (below)

It’s a shame to see money wasted in the name of energy conservation.…

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Energy & Environmental Newsletter: November 14, 2016

By -- November 14, 2016
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American Bird Conservancy: Wind Power, Solar Farms Must Play by Federal Rules, too

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 10, 2016
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1) Eliminate Obamacare 2) Challenge Private Foundations to Divert all Global Warming Spending to Health Insurance for the Vulnerable

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 9, 2016
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Political Economy 101: Wisdom for Election Week

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- November 7, 2016
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OPEC Dilemma (Cartel vs. Competition)

By Richard Sigman -- November 5, 2016
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Mandatory Access: Solar Cronies Jump In

By Jim Clarkson -- November 3, 2016
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Ohio State Senator Seitz to Ohio Power Siting Board on Wind Externalities

By Thomas Stacy II -- November 2, 2016
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