on December 17, 2020

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Robert Bryce: California’s Natural Gas Bans Are Drawing Fire From Black And Latino Leaders

Written by Isaac Orr

The concept of "environmental justice" has gained increasing traction among liberal lawmakers who claim that past energy and environmental policies have left low income and minority communities less able to afford their energy bills than their more-affluent counterparts. It is true that our energy polices have made it more difficult for these communities to afford their energy costs, but it is the policies promoted by these liberal politicians that have made energy so unaffordable. California is the worst offender in this regard. Liberal politicians in California talk about the need for environmental justice while enacting the very policies that are harming low...

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on November 30, 2020

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The Browning of the Golden State

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

With the presumptive win of Joe Biden to the presidency, it make sense to what the future will look like for our country over the next four years. Unfortunately, when it comes to energy and environmental policy, it will probably look an awful lot like California. As a result, I thought it would be good for our readers to read "The Browning of the Golden State," which I have posted below. Despite claims that liberals "follow the science," they disregard basic physics, the most fundamental science, when they advocate for our world to be powered by wind, solar, and battery storage,...

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on November 20, 2020

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Minneapolis Energy Grants Will Raise Energy Prices For Everyone Else

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Elected officials in Minneapolis don't seem to understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. That's why their idea of assisting small businesses hurt or destroyed in the riots this summer is to give out $1.17 million in energy grants aimed at small businesses owned by people of color, immigrants and those affected by this year's civil unrest, according to the Star Tribune. The City Council and the Mayor clearly believe this is the right thing to do, but their faith in the effectiveness of their approach shows they don't really understand how energy prices work in Minnesota,...

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on November 11, 2020

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More Than 1,800 Minnesotans Have Said “NO!” To Xcel Energy’s Green New Deal

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

More than 1,800 Minnesotans have signed American Experiment's petition opposing Xcel Energy's attempt to make you pay for their Green New Deal. You can sign this petition by clicking here. Environmental groups are constantly lobbying regulatory agencies like the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to mandate or approve more unreliable and expensive forms of energy like wind and solar, which is why this unprecedented level of engagement from conservatives is so important. There is strong opposition to this plan, which will make our electricity less reliable and more expensive, and Xcel and government agencies need to know it. Xcel's plan would shut down...

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on November 03, 2020

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Surprising No One, Xcel Is Raising Electricity Prices 20 Percent

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

The most expensive electricity rates in Minnesota

Xcel Energy is proposing to raise electricity prices by 20 percent in the coming years to fund a $597 million spending spree, according to a new article in the Star Tribune. The huge increase in electricity prices comes at the worst possible time for Minnesota. Our state has been battered by COVID-19 and the government-mandated shutdown of our economy to combat the virus. The economy has also suffered in the wake of the riots that erupted in the Twin Cities as a result of the death of George Floyd in police custody and the surge in murders, carjackings, and other violence...

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on October 20, 2020

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Xcel Energy Ties Executive Pay to Emissions Goals: Minnesotans Pay the Price

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Government-approved monopolies like Xcel Energy operate under a perverse incentive structure in Minnesota. The more these companies spend on new wind turbines, solar panels, and natural gas plants, the higher their government guaranteed profit soar. This is why Xcel Energy's corporate profits have increased in lock-step with renewable energy generation. Another factor influencing Xcel Energy's advocacy of closing down their coal plants decades before the end of their useful lifetimes and building wind and solar is the fact that Xcel is one of the few utilities to tie executive compensation to performance on emissions goals. This incentive was established as early...

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on October 08, 2020

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Some Quick Thoughts on the Harris-Pence Debate: Fracking, Energy and the Green New Deal

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Last night, a substantial portion of the debate revolved around energy and environmental policy, particularly fracking and the Green New Deal. You can watch the segment by clicking the picture below. The reason that fracking had its moment in the sun last night is obvious: fracking has transformed Pennsylvania from an also-ran in energy production to the second-largest natural gas producing state in the nation. You can see Pennsylvania's skyrocket to energy stardom in the graph below, which was obtained from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Other states that utilize hydraulic fracturing to a large extent are Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota,...

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on October 05, 2020

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Smoke From California Wildfires Decreases Solar Generation in CAISO

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has published new data showing that smoke from wildfires in California have diminished electricity generation from the state's solar panels. According to the agency: In the first two weeks of September 2020, average solar-powered electricity generation in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which covers 90% of utility-scale solar capacity in California, declined nearly 30% from the July 2020 average as wildfires burned across the state. Wildfire smoke contains small, airborne particulate matter particles that are generally 2.5 micrometers or smaller (referred to as PM2.5). This matter reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches solar panels, decreasing solar-powered electricity generation....

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on September 17, 2020

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Otter Tail Power Will Build 50 Megawatts of Solar, But Its Electricity Will Come from Coal and Gas in the Dakotas

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Otter Tail Power Company (OTP), the smallest electric utility in the state of Minnesota, will build 50 megawatts of solar near their soon-to-be retired Hoot Lake coal facility. The Fergus Falls Journal reports the facility will include around 170,000 solar panels and generate enough electricity to power about 10,000 homes each year, but by my calculations, based on federal data on electricity usage and factoring in Minnesota's unproductive solar panels, the number would be closer to 6,750 OTP customers. Either way, it doesn't really matter, because the vast majority of OTP's power will be shipped in from coal and natural gas...

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on September 11, 2020

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In The Tank Ep259: Yes, Biden Wants to Ban Fracking

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

The Heartland Institute's Donald Kendal, Justin Haskins, and Jim Lakely are joined by Isaac Orr in episode 259 of the In The Tank Podcast. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about whether or not Biden wants to ban fracking. Despite Biden’s statements on the matter, his energy proposals show he is in favor of banning this extremely important process. Also, why are the media now claiming the riots are Trump’s fault? The ITT discusses these topics and more. https://youtu.be/tlTXhx_xEi8...

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