Blog

This is the worst idea ever. Washington Post (8/6/12) reports: “The 18-year loans will be funded out of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the government’s vehicle for promoting U.S. export sales by providing low-interest loans for services and goods produced by American industries. The funding could be applied to a variety of projects, including wind, solar and thermal power, said Fred Hochberg, the bank president and chairman.”   I don’t understand why everyone is surprised that Jim...
Continue Reading...

We include this not to make fun of Brent Erickson or his band of rent-seekers.  We include it because we love the headline, “Ethanol groups form coalition to save federal support for biofuels.”  We were under the impression that the federal government does not “support” ethanol use (“Go Corn Growers!”).  It mandates ethanol use.  If you need the difference explained, you probably are already a shill for the corn growers. The Hill (8/5/12) reports: “Eight biofuels groups are...
Continue Reading...

It is sad that we have to run this.  But the Sierra Club is sort of a collection of nitwits.  So . . . IER (8/2/12) reports: “In response to an error-filled report released today by the Sierra Club, entitled “Clean Energy Under Siege,” the Institute for Energy Research released the following statement and brief fact check that raises serious questions about the quality of scholarship and careful research that went into the report… “Sloppy ‘scholarship,’ half-truths, and...
Continue Reading...

Charlie Drevna says it pretty well.  While we are dallying with ethanol and other nonsense, the Chinese are investing in petroleum assets all over the planet, including Canada. American Products. American Power. (8/1/12) reports: “In addition to hurting America’s farmers, this year’s record drought has exposed another great flaw with EPA’s renewable fuel standards. Not only do EPA regulations force American consumers to purchase more expensive fuel that generates lower mileage per...
Continue Reading...

Since the President thinks he creates all businesses and jobs, it is a small matter to kill them as well. OhioAmerican (7/31/12) reports: "OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. ("OhioAmerican"), a Subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation ("Murray Energy"), today announced the closure of its coal mining operations near Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio… Regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers were cited as the entire reason." I wonder if Chairman Jon knows that the...
Continue Reading...

President Obama built this.  We did not. IER (7/24/12) reports: “In addition to Solyndra, Beacon Power, and a host of other “Stimulosers,” we can now add solar panel manufacturer Amonix to the list of federally-backed alternative energy companies jeopardizing taxpayer funds. The latest embarrassment is especially relevant in light of this week’s planned vote on the “No More Solyndras Act” [.pdf], which would discontinue new loan guarantees and would limit the DOE’s discretion...
Continue Reading...

Representative Cliff Stearns recently introduced the “No More Solyndras Act,” which would exercise more oversight of the $16 billion federal program that loaned $528 million dollars to the now-bankrupt solar manufacturer Solyndra and subsidized other clean energy companies that have had subsequent financial troubles.  An up-to-date list of these companies can be viewed on IER’s Stimulosers report here. The “No More Solyndras” bill would prohibit any new loan guarantees from being...
Continue Reading...

You have to hope that at some point, Governor Romney will start talking about this. WSJ (7/24/12) reports: “President Obama may not want to exploit the energy buried in Canada's Alberta oil sands, but China sure does. Think of Monday's $15.1 billion offer by China's state-owned Cnooc to buy Canadian energy giant Nexen as a post-Keystone XL Pipeline bid to replace the U.S. as Canada's biggest energy investor and market.” This is what regressivity looks like outside of an economics...
Continue Reading...

And you shall know the truth.  And the truth shall set you free.  At least that is what my friend John says. We offer this without comment.  Except to say that in every instance subsidies are corrupting.  You know, like the Food Stamp bill just passed by the Senate. The Hill  (6/21/12) Reports: Low natural-gas prices mean that it’s economical to power heavy trucks with the fuel even without federal incentives, according to a new report that finds up-front investment costs for...
Continue Reading...

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal carried a prominent article  about accidental bird deaths caused by communications towers. According to the article, a whopping 6.8 million birds are accidentally killed by flying into these towers (the article did not specify if bird suicides were included or not). These 6.8 million birds are usually attacked – apparently without provocation - by these aggressive and belligerent towers under the cover of darkness by their illuminated red lights. As...
Continue Reading...