on April 10, 2019

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MN Commerce Department Commissioner Kelly Tips His Hand: “Carbon Free” Still Means No New Nuclear

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

If Governor Walz really believes that climate change is an existential threat, why would he refuse to legalize the most reliable, affordable, and permanent source of electricity that does not emit carbon dioxide emissions? The fact that is not even willing to advocate for repealing Minnesota's ban on new nuclear power plants that has been in effect since 1994 means Governor Walz is not the adult in the room, no matter how me may try to position himself as the realist on environmental issues. ...

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on April 09, 2019

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Walz’s Comments on Public Utilities Commission Appointment is an Ominous Sign for Line 3, Rational Energy Policy

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Line 3 opponents often argue the Governor should deep-six the oil pipeline replacement project because it would lock in oil use for the foreseeable future when we should, in reality be transitioning away from oil in favor of electric cars. But these arguments are pure wishful thinking with no basis in reality....

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on April 08, 2019

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No, Wind Capacity Factors Are Not 50 Percent in Minnesota, And That’s Very Important

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Renewable energy advocates in Minnesota often claim that capacity factors for wind, the percentage of electricity generated by a power plant compared to its theoretical output, are sky high in Minnesota, exceeding the 50 percent threshold. Data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs show this claim is completely false. As you can see on the map below, there is not a single wind facility in Minnesota that operates above a 50 percent capacity factor. The results don't get much better as we lower our standards, either. The U.S. Energy Information Administration shows the state-wide capacity factor for wind was only 35.9 percent in...

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on April 07, 2019

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No State Imports More Electricity Than California

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

California has taken bold action by shuttering its coal plants, planning to shut down the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant so it can increase its share of renewable energy, or that's what the Greenies out there want to believe. In reality, the Golden State simply imports electricity generated by coal, natural gas, and nuclear facilities from Arizona and Nevada and pretends they are "green energy" leaders. In fact, no other state imports more electricity than does California. California imports so much electricity because it simply cannot provide for itself in terms of electricity generation, at least not at the lowest cost. The graph...

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on April 05, 2019

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Isaac Orr: Lower Electricity Costs From Going Carbon-Free? Wanna Bet, Gov. Walz?

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

The following article originally appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press: Gov. Tim Walz recently announced his plan to make Minnesota’s electricity 100 percent carbon-free by 2050, and while the governor claims his plan will reduce energy costs for Minnesota families due to improvements in energy efficiency, I could not disagree more with his assessment. Therefore, I am willing to bet the governor a month’s salary that his claim is incorrect and that electricity costs will skyrocket under his plan. Increasing quantities of renewable energy result in increasing electricity prices because they are more expensive than conventional sources of electricity, like coal....

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on April 03, 2019

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House DFL Wants To Give People $2,500 Rebates for Electric Car Purchases

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

DFL lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives have proposed providing $2,500 rebates for Minnesotans who purchase new electric vehicles under $60,000. No one in my family has ever purchased a vehicle that expensive, and frankly, I never plan on purchasing such a pricey ride, either. Electric car buyers already get a $7,500 tax credit from the federal government, so this additional rebate, if enacted, would make the handout a cool $10,000 for the predominately white, wealthy, liberals who purchase electric vehicles, courtesy of low and middle income families. This is just something to keep in mind as you watch Governor Walz's...

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on April 02, 2019

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MN House Energy and Climate Finance Committee Modeling Should Include Future Wind Speeds

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

The Minnesota House of Representatives has proposed spending $550,000 on a study to be conducted by the University of Minnesota exploring the impacts of climate change in Minnesota. What's unique about the study is that it would require the University to conduct a study producing climate model projections through the rest of this century for 10-square mile blocks covering the entire state. The study would be required to develop a series of projections of temperature, precipitation, snow cover, and a variety of other climate parameters over the rest of this century. This morning I testified in front of the Committee instructing them to add another requirement to...

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on April 01, 2019

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Doubling Down On Failure Installment Three: Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment

This article is the third installment explaining the findings of our new study entitled Doubling Down on Failure, How a 50 percent by 2030 Renewable Energy Standard Would Cost Minnesota $80.2 Billion. This installment explains how carbon dioxide emissions would be affected in each of the four scenarios we examine, Renewable, Short-Term Nuclear, Long-Term Nuclear, and Affordable Clean Energy (ACE). While the Renewable, Short-Term Nuclear, and Long-Term Nuclear scenarios would impose significant yearly financial burdens on Minnesota households, they all would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Emissions would eventually rise under the ACE plan as existing wind turbines reach the end of their useful lives. The graph...

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on March 31, 2019

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Doubling Down on Failure Installment Two: Generation, Utility Profits, Property Taxes, and Transmission

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

This article is the second installment explaining the findings of our new study entitled Doubling Down on Failure, How a 50 percent by 2030 Renewable Energy Standard Would Cost Minnesota $80.2 Billion. Today, I’ll break down four main components that drive the cost of our energy system that we explored in our study. As you can see below, generation accounted for 59 percent of the total cost of electricity in the Renewable Scenario, utility profits constituted 22 percent, property taxes accounted for 11 percent, and transmission accounted for 8 percent of the total cost of electricity....

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on March 30, 2019

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In The Tank (EP 184) A Bad Week for the Left: Russia Collusion, Green New Deal, and ObamaCare

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Hello! This week on the In The Tank Podcast, Donny and Justin are joined by Jim Lakely of The Heartland Institute because I was at the Twin's home opener and as such I take full responsibility for their victory. In the first segment, the crew gives their takes on the release of the Mueller Report on potential Russian "collusion." After a nearly-two-year investigation, the Mueller team found no evidence of collusion. How did this investigation effect the Trump administration during the first two years and how will the results play into the 2020 election. In another stunning defeat for the left, a resolution for...

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