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on September 25, 2018
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Gusher! North Dakota Has Four Times More Oil Than Estimated

Written by Tom Steward
in Energy, Minnesota Economy

The world already knew North Dakota has enough oil left in the ground to traumatize climate activists for decades. But come on. The latest estimate of oil reserves under our westerly neighbor truly defies the imagination.  Not to mention the U.S. government's official calculations. The fracking company that's led the way in developing the state's reserves even rocked attendees with the news at an industry meeting covered by the Fargo Forum. Continental Resources estimates that the Bakken Formation has reserves of 30 billion to 40 billion barrels of recoverable oil, or roughly four to five times more than the government’s latest estimate. The...

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on September 22, 2018
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Clear Energy Alliance: The Cause

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment

Most people don't know about the vast funding that has been funneled into activists groups opposing the use of fossil fuels. Numerous foundations and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year trying to convince the public that wind and solar are sustainable (they aren't) and affordable (definitely not), and that humans can only prosper if we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels. Clear Energy Alliance does a great job of shedding light on these groups in the video below. Enjoy! [embed]https://youtu.be/tJYddIVV_8s[/embed]...

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on September 21, 2018
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EIA: One in Three U.S. Households Faces a Challenge in Meeting Energy Needs

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment

Electricity bills, especially in states with large renewable energy mandates, are skyrocketing. Rapidly increasing electricity prices have forced families to make tough decisions about whether to pay their electric bill, or to buy groceries. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports nearly one-third of U.S. households (31%) reported facing a challenge in paying energy bills or sustaining adequate heating and cooling in their homes in 2015....

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on September 16, 2018
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Local Media Glosses Over High Cost of Stoneray Wind Farm

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment

A piece in Friday's Pipestone County Star reported that 39 industrial wind turbines with a total capacity of 101 megawatts would be built, comprising the Stoneray Wind Project in eastern Pipestone County and western Murray County.  Unfortuantely, the article reads more like a press release for the wind company, EDF, than a balanced article on project. First of all, there is zero mention of how much this project will cost Minnesota consumers, which is significant. According to the Minnesota Public Utilities filings, this project will cost between $160 to $232 million to construct. Federal tax credits will shield customers from feeling...

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on September 15, 2018
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The United States is Now the Largest Global Crude Oil Producer

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Mining, Minnesota Economy

The federal government estimates the United States likely surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest crude oil producer.  In February, U.S. crude oil production exceeded that of Saudi Arabia for the first time in more than two decades. In June and August, the United States surpassed Russia in crude oil production for the first time since February 1999. Ten short years after all the so-called "smart money" was on Peak Oil Theory, which posited the world was running out of oil and global chaos would ensue as countries were plunged into economic turmoil and conflict as we waged war...

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on September 12, 2018
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Minnesota Public Utilities Cowards

Written by Tom Steward
in Energy, Environment, Regulation

It's hard to disagree with the malcontents that broke up the latest public meeting yesterday of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.  Their main message? "PUC" stands for "Public Utilities Cowards," according to a Duluth News Tribune report of the breathtaking lack of backbone on display again by state energy regulators under the Dayton administration. The protestors, who describe themselves as water protectors, sat with their backs turned to the commission for the first hour of discussion with shirts that read "Public Utilities Cowards" on the back. The Star Tribune also provided the play-by-play as commissioners allowed the disrupters to take over a...

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on September 12, 2018
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Clean Energy Businesses Advocates Make the Case for More Green Energy Handouts

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Special interest groups for the wind and solar industry, in addition to companies like Mortenson Construction have begun pounding the table this election cycle, holding a news conference yesterday the next governor of Minnesota to adapt several policies that will “take advantage of the economic development potential provided by advanced energy technologies and services.” Of course, what this really means is they want more subsidies and more renewable energy mandates that give wind and solar companies a monopoly on your checkbook. ...

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on September 05, 2018
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Oh Snap: New England Energy Markets Undermined By Renewables Subsidies. Will Minnesota Learn From the Looming Disaster?

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

We're rapidly reaching a dangerous tipping point where the cost of  renewable energy subsidies and state-level renewable energy mandates will explode. High electricity prices hurt low-income families, seniors, and they are devastating for industries like farming, mining, and manufacturing because it greatly increases the cost of doing business. If we want to grow living-wage jobs for all Minnesotans, we must stop the madness and stop mandating expensive renewable energy....

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