My Time at Enron: For the Record (again)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 9, 2017 2 Comments

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) and its advocacy arm, the American Energy Alliance (AEA), are in the news.

As reported last month in the Los Angeles Times, and more recently in Bloomberg Politics, IER/AEA are involved in the free-market directions that the president-elect and his team have followed to date.

One account described the founding of IER as follows:

The Institute for Energy Research was founded to be a clearinghouse for energy information in 1989 in Houston by Robert L. Bradley Jr., a speechwriter for Enron chief executive Kenneth Lay, who was later convicted of securities fraud.

Given that this association is part of the political conversation (Joe Romm started it in 2009: see below), and the continuing attention that is ahead for IER/AEA, I wish to revisit the historical record about my time at Enron that overlapped with IER.…

Direct-Use Natural Gas Needs a Free Market Too (‘deep decarbonization’ easy target for elimination in new policy era)

By Mark Krebs -- January 4, 2017 1 Comment

“The basic strategy of deep decarbonization is to ‘electrify everything’ because, theoretically, someday soon, wind and solar could affordably displace all fossil fuels. The analytical basis of such beliefs, however, comes up radically short.”

“Alternatives to electricity should also be given a fair chance to compete for consumers—free of regulatory bias.”

“The economics of natural gas direct use is also superior to natural gas via the electric grid because it is far less capital intensive.”

The Rolling Stones song playing in the background during President-Elect Trump’s victory speech contained an important message to the American People:

“You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes well you might find you get what you need.”

Something else the American people need is the continued right to choose natural gas for their homes and businesses.…

Alex Epstein: Ready to Make 2017 the Year of Fossil Fuels (energy education for the moral high ground)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- January 3, 2017 No Comments

“I have found that if we reframe the conversation to always focus on the full context of human flourishing, many people will be won over.” (Alex Epstein)

Fasten your seatbelts. This is the year of energy realism and elevating the politically incorrect, economically correct into the mainstream. Donald Trump energy policy promises to be free-market-oriented in a way that has been absent through recent Republican and Democratic administrations.

A leading voice for an energy/climate realism is Alex Epstein, a one-man dynamo for clear thinking in a field dominated by want it, think it, emote it … and it is.

In writing and by lecture, Epstein is ready to convince a Rotary Club or Prime Time America on the benefits of consumer-chosen, taxpayer neutral, economical, reliable energies. He will debate anyone anywhere–and should get more chances than ever in this new policy era.…

Energy & Environmental Newsletter: January 2, 2017

By John Droz, Jr. -- January 2, 2017 No Comments

The 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:

Irish High Court Finds Wind Turbine Maker Liable for Noise Nuisance – Seven Irish Families to Get Millions in Punitive Damages

Outstanding podcast on Energy and Climate Change

Excellent Study: Energy Deregulation

Per Capita Energy Productivity for Primary Sources of Electrical Energy

China Closer to Harnessing Clean, Limitless Energy from Nuclear Fusion

Trump Has Better Ideas on Energy

Cutting the Crap at DOE (See new Newsletter section on Trump & Energy)

Sweden Denies Permit for World’s Largest Wind Project, Due to its Military Interference

Obsolete Calculations of Cost of Carbon

The Social Cost of Carbon

Southern Baptist leaders defend Trump’s pick to lead EPA (See new Newsletter section on Trump & AGW)