“… despite the world investing more than $9.5 trillion on energy transition over the past two decades, alternatives have been unable to displace hydrocarbons at scale.”

“… many of us have been saying for a long time that the world has been trying to transition in fog, without a compass, on a road to nowhere.  Consumers … are demanding a transition that is affordable, reliable, and flexible, and that supports our climate ambitions.”

Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser provided a realist moment to the CERA conference in Houston, Texas this week. His remarks follow.

We meet when the future of energy, and our role in the global energy transition, is incredibly high on the geopolitical agenda. But these conversations are no longer limited to Davos or D.C. because the hopes and ambitions of 8 billion energy consumers around the world are at stake. …

Ed. Note: This post excerpts energy and climate material from the Media Balance Newsletter, a free fortnightly published by physicist John Droz Jr., founder of the Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. The complete Newsletter for this post can be found here.

Unreliables (General):
Report: Green Guardrails
America’s Energy Scam
Green Tyrants Get Horrible News as Finance Giants Pull Out Left and Right
High Costs, Greenlash Hit Europe
Transition? What Transition?

Wind Energy — Offshore:
CFACT says offshore wind violates Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
Renewed push to put wind turbines in Lake Erie gets blowback in Hamburg

Wind Energy — Other:
*** Taking the Wind Out of Climate Change (referencing 60± studies)
*** French Council of State annuls wind turbine permits, major impact on energy future
*** Irish High Court Slams Wind Turbine Operator for Noise “Like planes that Never Land”

Solar Energy:
US Solar Factories Are In for ‘Rude Awakening,’ Report Warns

Fossil-Fuel Energy:
Policymakers are clueless that all energy sources came after the discovery of oil

Electric Vehicles (EVs):
EVs lose market share across Europe in January

Miscellaneous Energy News:
*** Short video: Energy and the Poverty of Nations
*** These 10 Charts Caused an NGO Hissy Fit at NARUC
*** Net Zero Emergency Power
America Is Running Out Of Power, Is Rationing And Soaring Energy Prices Ahead?…

“Respectfully, the future of the Town of Ocean City cannot be bought [by offshore wind interests] and we intend to continue to do what is necessary to protect the interests of our residents, property owners and future generations.” – Mayor Rick Meehan, Ocean City, Maryland

The $2 million bribe was turned down–flatly, by the mayor of Ocean City, Rick Meehan. This “opportunity” spread out over 20 years came with this request from US Wind: “local government officials… [refraining] from making any negative comments or objections.”

Here is the story reported in UtilityDive:

“In December 2023, I received an email from Jeff Grybowski, Chief Executive Officer for US Wind, offering Ocean City the same opportunity that has been extended to the Delaware Beach Towns,” [Ocean City Mayor] Meehan said. “My response was, ‘Respectfully the future of the Town of Ocean City cannot be bought and we intend to continue to do what is necessary to protect the interests of our residents, property owners and future generations.’”

“California leaders know that rising prices are a huge problem. The state is now considering a plan to tie utility rates to personal income so that the rich pay more and low-income residents pay less. Costly California looms as an example of poor energy policy.”

Energy prices are skyrocketing in California. The state’s electricity, gasoline, and natural gas prices are amongst the nation’s highest and rising. Green energy policies are the primary cause for high and escalating California energy prices.

Electricity

California electricity prices increased by 98.2 percent over the last 15 years, the highest rise in the nation. No other state comes close in terms of price increases. US average electricity prices rose 30.6 percent over the same period. California power prices rose to a level that is the second highest in the nation, only lower than Hawaii.…