on July 02, 2020

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Bureau of Land Management Moves To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Twin Metals Project

Written by Isaac Orr

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the agency will prepare a detailed Environmental Impact Statement to thoroughly analyze the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Twin Metals mine, which would produce copper, nickel, cobalt, and other precious metals. According to the BLM press release: “Under President Trump’s leadership and direction from the Secretary, this proposed mine may reduce the vulnerability to disruption of critical mineral supplies. If the plan of operation is approved, you can rest assured knowing that development and production of critical minerals is done in an environmentally responsible, regulatory-consistent, and economically feasible manner,” said William...

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on July 01, 2020

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A Conservative Vision for Energy Policy in Minnesota

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Last week, Ben Gerber, who is a board member for the Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum (MNCEF) took to the pages of The Minnesota Reformer, which is likely the most progressive outlet in the state, in an attempt to defend his positions on energy policy. In his article, which I encourage you to read, Mr. Gerber argues that MNCEF, and not Center of the American Experiment, is the group that opposes heavy-handed government solutions. But this claim is incorrect, as I spell out in my reply below. I am told may be run on the Reformer's website at some date in the future. The...

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on June 30, 2020

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Dislike Wind and Solar? Support Advanced Nuclear Power! Action Requested Today

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Did you know that a new generation of small-scale advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller and safer than traditional power plants is on the horizon? This is good news. I firmly believe that the only source of electricity generation that will someday be able to beat fossil fuels in terms of reliability and affordability will be advanced nuclear reactors. One reason nuclear power is probably the future is because of the energy density of nuclear fuel. The fission of 1 g of uranium or plutonium per day liberates about 1 MW. This is the energy equivalent of 3 tons of coal or about 600 gallons of fuel oil...

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on June 30, 2020

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House Democrats Propose Billions In Additional Subsidies for Wind, Solar, and Electric Cars

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Advocates of wind and solar power often argue that wind and solar power are now the lowest cost sources of electricity on the market, making them more competitive than fossil fuels and nuclear power. If this is true, why do the wind and solar industries keep asking for more subsidies? The answer, of course, is that wind and solar are entirely dependent upon the government subsidizing and mandating these products. Subsidies are so important to the wind industry that many companies stop taking good care of their turbines once the facilities are no longer eligible for the subsidies, according to an analysis...

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on June 29, 2020

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Michael Shellenberger: On Behalf Of Environmentalists, I Apologize For The Climate Scare

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Liberal politicians in Minnesota often use climate change as the justification for doing virtually anything they want. Governor Walz has delayed the replacement of an aging oil pipeline, attempted to mandate 100 percent of the state's electricity come from wind, solar, and batteries, despite the enormous cost, and he has also tried to force Minnesota to obey California's car regulations. All of these actions is predicated on their insistence that climate change is an existential crisis. But if these liberal lawmakers actually believe the world will end unless we act quickly, why don't they immediately end Minnesota's ban on new nuclear power...

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on June 28, 2020

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In the Tank EP 249: The Current State of Climate Alarmists

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

What are climate alarmists thinking when they see massive movements and economic changes form around COVID and civil rights, but relatively nothing over climate change? The Heartland Institute’s Donald Kendal, Jim Lakely, and Justin Haskins are joined by Isaac Orr in episode 249 of the In The Tank Podcast. What are climate alarmists thinking when they see massive movements and economic changes form around COVID and civil rights, but relatively nothing over climate change? Do people just not care about global warming? What is the current state of the alarmists? What is their path forward? https://soundcloud.com/user-694711047/249-the-current-state-of-the-climate-alarmists?in=user-694711047/sets/in-the-tank-podcast Rolling Stone – ‘A Bomb in the...

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on June 26, 2020

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Families With Xcel Energy Pay More For Their Electricity Than People Living In All But 12 States

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Xcel Energy bombards the airwaves with commercials stating how they are going to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide "affordable" energy to their customers. The problem with these slogans is that they are entirely false. For example, in this statement from Xcel Energy Chairman and CEO, Ben Fowke. Mr. Fowke states: "One of the many things we’ve learned from this pandemic is that nature can be our refuge, and we must protect it for current and future generations. For the past 15 years, we have led the clean energy transition while ensuring reliability and enhancing affordability. In December of 2018, we became...

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on June 25, 2020

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Great River Energy’s Battery Is More Publicity Stunt Than Source of Power

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Great River Energy's announcement that they would build a battery to help replace a coal-fired power plant received uncritical praise from the media and renewable groups, but a closer look at the proposed battery system shows this aspect of their plan is more of a publicity stunt than source of power....

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on June 24, 2020

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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Wages Lawsuit Against American Energy Companies

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against multiple energy companies, Exxon Mobil Corp., Koch Industries, and the American Petroleum Institute, alleging they have deceived consumers over the effects of climate change. Ellison is reportedly seeking a large settlement, similar to the Big Tobacco settlement, for alleged damage to the environment. If the results of similar lawsuits are any indication of how this lawsuit will play out, however, the most likely outcome for this lawsuit will be humiliation for Ellison and a large bill for taxpayers in the state of Minnesota. Attorneys General in other states have also tried to...

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on June 23, 2020

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Iowa Utility Board Proposes Use of Eminent Domain to Force Renewables On Landowners; Phony Conservative “Land and Liberty Coalition” is Silent

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Property rights advocates in Iowa are furious about a proposal by the Iowa Utilities Board, the Iowa version of Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission, to allow utility companies to use eminent domain to take the land of private citizens, without their consent, to facilitate more wind and solar development. Interestingly, a group called the Iowa Land and Liberty Coalition, which portrays itself as a conservative champion of private property rights in the Midwestern energy space, has been silent about this development. Their silence suggests the group is less interested in property rights than they are about promoting renewable energy by any means...

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