on March 07, 2020

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Why Gas Engines Are Far From Dead- Biggest EV Problems

Written by Isaac Orr

Proponents of Governor Walz's California Car mandates have argued that electric vehicles are the wave of the future, and that mandates for electric cars are needed to supply the large pent up demand for the cars. These talking points are not supported by the data, yet they persist. The video below does a great job explaining some of the biggest challenges electric vehicles face, and why car companies and consumers continue to prefer their gas-powered cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hatav_Rdnno...

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on March 05, 2020

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Efforts to Prevent The Walz Administration’s California Car Mandates Advance in the Senate

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Governance, Minnesota Economy, Transportation

Today was a step forward for the efforts of conservative lawmakers to prevent the Walz administration from imposing unpopular California car mandates on Minnesotans. Senate File 3496 passed out of the Minnesota Senate's State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee. You can watch the hearing on the bill at the link below. https://www.facebook.com/mnsrc/videos/2275278436108528/?comment_id=2275304272772611&notif_id=1583437629234897&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic I've previously testified in front of the Senate on this bill, explaining why it would be beneficial for Minnesota consumers. I also detailed that while the costs would be significant, the environmental benefits would be immeasurably small. It is encouraging to see that the Walz administration's attempt to...

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on March 03, 2020

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Clear Energy Alliance: The EV Dream

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Transportation

Governor Walz wants to adopt California's car mandates requiring that car manufacturers deliver electric vehicles for sale in Minnesota, but this video from the Clear Energy Alliance pours cold water on the frequently-used talking points used to promote these vehicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaesOIY3I4U&feature=youtu.be...

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on February 26, 2020

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Tune in at 1pm As Isaac Orr Testifies (Again) on Governor Walz’s California Car Mandates

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Transportation

The Minnesota Senate has introduced a bill that would expressly prohibit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) from adopting California's controversial car mandates and they have asked me to testify on the bill. In short, the bill scales back the authority of the MPCA to set maximum emissions standards for motor vehicles in Minnesota, effectively removing any ability for the MPCA to force Minnesotans to obey the dictates of unelected bureaucrats in California. Tune in to my testimony by clicking here. ...

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on February 24, 2020

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Why Is Governor Walz Trying to Mandate Cars That Nobody Wants?

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy, Transportation

Last week, I testified before a joint hearing of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee about the Walz administration's desire to force Minnesotans to comply with California's car mandates for low emission vehicles (LEVs) and zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). During their testimonies, advocates of these new mandates claimed they are needed because there is a huge demand for some models of electric vehicles (EVs) that are not currently offered Minnesota, and that they would be offered here if the mandates went into effect. However, survey data from CleanTechnica.com, which is a website dedicated to promoting renewables and electric vehicles, shows...

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on February 19, 2020

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Isaac Orr Testifies on Walz’s California Car Mandates Before the Minnesota Senate

Written by Isaac Orr

in Transportation

Today at 10:30, Center of the American Experiment's Isaac Orr testified at a Joint Meeting of the Minnesota Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee for a discussion of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's proposed rule to adopt California car emissions standards. Watch below. Isaac's comments begin at timestamp 2:07:10. ...

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on February 10, 2020

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Light Rail Is a Crime-Ridden Disaster

Written by John Hinderaker

in Transportation

Advocates of light rail transportation for the Twin Cities imagined a clean, sophisticated, modern mode of transit that would enhance Minnesota's reputation as a progressive bastion. Unfortunately, that is not what has happened. The Twin Cities' light rail projects have been disasters. Crime is rampant, ridership is low, money is steadily being lost. The metro area's two light rail lines are rapidly becoming eyesores, and worse. Urination and defecation inside train cars and on train platforms have become common, as has the setting of fires in light rail cars to warm hoboes. Last week, a long-time train operator testified before the...

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on February 10, 2020

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Should we ignore facts because they are politically inconvenient?

Written by John Phelan

in Minnesota Economy, Taxes, Transportation

Good public policy will be based on the best facts and data we have, not just the facts and data we find politically convenient. ...

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on February 06, 2020

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Walz Accelerates Push for Unpopular California Car Mandates in Minnesota

Written by Isaac Orr

in Cinema, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy, Transportation

It appears Governor Walz is accelerating his push to circumvent the legislative process by using the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to impose unpopular California car mandates on Minnesota. These new regulations would force Minnesota to adopt California's mandates for low emission vehicles (LEVs) and zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) exactly as they are written in California. In our quarterly Thinking Minnesota poll, Center of the American Experiment found these mandates, which would increase the cost of vehicles sold in Minnesota, are deeply unpopular. The polling shows 68 percent of Minnesotans oppose the Governor's proposed California car mandates, if it would increase...

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on February 04, 2020

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The Dangers of Riding Light Rail

Written by Tom Steward

in Transportation

Public criticism and concern continues to mount over the dangers of riding the Twin Cities' light rail system and lax enforcement by local authorities. Serious crime has shot up by 35 percent on and near light rail lines with dozens of aggravated assaults and reports of gun violence. The latest salvo on the system comes in a blunt first person account by Christopher Hartnett, a self-described Minneapolis liberal, who submitted a scathing letter to the editor of the Star Tribune. I recently rode the light rail from work to the airport for a business trip. I use our terrific rapid transit system...

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