A Free-Market Energy Blog

Independence Day: Driving, Grilling, Fireworks

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- July 3, 2024

The July Fourth week will be energetic coming and going. The celebration is another reminder that modern life revolves activities that naturally emit the “gas of life”—carbon dioxide.

Peak demand? No, just the opposite. Record driving, flying, and cruising; Record grilling; Record fireworks.

Driving

“Nearly 71 Million People Expected to Travel over July 4th Week,” the American Automobile Association predicts. “This year’s extended Independence Day forecast exceeds pre-pandemic numbers, sets new record.” Here is the full story:

AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – that’s an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses 2019 when 55.3 million people traveled by car over July 4th week….

Affordability? Still strong despite Biden’s best efforts to reduce oil supplies.…

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Temperature Alarmism: WSJ Fail (Doug Sheridan corrects)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- July 2, 2024

“It’s an election year. The mainstream media (including the news side of the WSJ) is in the tank for climate alarmism, forced energy transformation, and a Biden reelection. Reader Beware!”

“Millions of Americans Brace for Dangerous Heat Wave, Record-Breaking Temperatures,” wrote Gareth Vipers for the Wall Street Journal (June 18, 2024). “Triple-digit temperatures are expected across much of the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and New England.”

Doug Sheridan graded the news article:

Last week, after a  news article warned of almost 70 MM people coming under threat of extreme heat in the US Midwest and Northeast, we posted our intention to audit the accuracy of the article and forecast by examinating the actual temps recorded after the fact. Here’s a link to that June 18th post. 

Well, last week has come and gone, and we’ve completed the audit.…

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Products Made from Oil and Gas

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- July 1, 2024

“Petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas make the manufacturing of over 6,000 everyday products and high-tech devices possible.” — U.S. DOE

According to the U.S. Department of Energy,

When you think about oil there is probably one thing that immediately comes to mind: motor oil for your car or lawn mower. And, when you hear about natural gas, you may think about heating your home, cooking, or even electric power generation.

But, there are many other uses for these hydrocarbons than what meets the eye. Petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas make the manufacturing of over 6,000 everyday products and high-tech devices possible.

Major petrochemicals—including ethylene, propylene, acetylene, benzene, and toluene, as well as natural gas constituents like methane, propane, and ethane—are the feedstock chemicals for the production of many of the items we use and depend on every day.

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‘Renewable Energy Still Dominates Energy Subsidies in FY 2022’

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 27, 2024
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The Politicized Texas Grid: Sheridan Calls for Transparency (and Mea Culpas)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 26, 2024
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Electricity Statism Conference: Kiesling Rides High

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 25, 2024
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Energy & Environmental Review: June 24, 2024

By -- June 24, 2024
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Restoring Sanity, Reliability, and Affordability to the Texas Electric Grid

By -- June 20, 2024
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Will “Green New Deal” Failures Elect Trump?

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 19, 2024
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Renewables vs. Environment: Hans Wolkers humbles Climate Reality Project, Kahli Burke

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 18, 2024
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