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on April 30, 2019
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One Korean Nuclear Reactor Would Produce As Much Electricity As All Minnesota Wind Turbines at a Much Lower Cost

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

Last week, Korean Electric Power (KEPCO) connected its second advanced pressure reactor (APR) 1400 nuclear reactor to the grid. This is significant because these power plants, with a generation capacity of 1,400 megawatts (MW), would be able to generate about as much electricity as the combined output of all the wind facilities in Minnesota, for a fraction of the cost. Nuclear power plants are incredibly efficient, with capacity factors of 90 percent or higher. This means nuclear plants will generate about 90 percent of their theoretical output during the course of a year. As a result, building just one APR1400 reactor...

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on March 04, 2019
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Walz Embraces Energy-Illiterate Green New Deal for Minnesota

Written by Isaac Orr
in Climate, Energy, Environment

DFL Governor Tim Walz is making Mark Dayton look  downright moderate. Just this morning the newly-elected governor held a press conference stating his goals for making Minnesota's electricity sector 100 percent free of carbon dioxide emisisons by 2050. Walz's Minnesota Green New Deal is straight out of the radical, energy-illiterate playbook. This policy, which would require Minnesota electric facilities to use only carbon-free energy resources by 2050, would cause massive increases in electricity prices for no measurable environmental benefit. Governor Walz should actually ‘follow the science,’ and realize this proposal is all pain and no gain for Minnesota’s families and communities....

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on January 22, 2019
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Center of the American Experiment Submits Comments Supporting Twin Metals Minnesota Mineral Lease Renewal

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

Center of the American Experiment continues to support responsible mining in Minnesota by submitting public comments to the Bureau of Land Management urging them to renew the mineral leases for the Twin Metals Minnesota. These comments discuss the massive economic benefits expanded mining would bring to Minnesota, discuss the myriad shortcomings in the letter written to the U.S. Forest Service written by Harvard economist James Stock, and emphasizes the strong environmental track record of modern mines. You can read the comments at the link below....

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on January 19, 2019
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Should Minnesota Require Rooftop Wind?

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

California has mandated rooftop solar units be placed on every new home built in the Golden State. Given Minnesota winters aren't as conducive to rooftop solar as sunny California, should Governor Walz push for similar measures in Minnesota, only requiring rooftop wind turbines for new and existing homes? The short answer, obviously, is no. I've posted an article from engineering.com to demonstrate just how terrible such a mandate would be....

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on January 08, 2019
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Peter Foster: Another Report Reluctantly Admits that ‘Green’ Energy is a Disastrous Flop

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Despite being the beneficiaries of billions of dollars in subsidies, wind and solar compose just a tiny fraction of overall energy use in the United States. The pie chart below is from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and it shows that oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear power provide far more of our energy than wind and solar, which together account for about 3 percent of our total energy consumption....

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on December 03, 2018
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Revenge of the Diesel Class: Yellow Vest Protests Continue to Rage in France Over Climate Taxes

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Thousands of Yellow Vest protesters in France continue to protest over the climate taxes imposed by French President Emmanuel Macron that will initially lead to a 30 cent increase in diesel prices, with the tax increasing over time. The New York Times described the protests as "shaking French politics to the core." The Yellow Vests are not young college students or far-right activists, they are the working class inhabitants of rural France that have been forgotten by the leaders in urban areas. NPR reports: "Among its ranks are retirees and the unemployed, farmers, housewives and people who have never protested before," NPR's Eleanor...

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on November 27, 2018
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French Tax on Gas and Diesel Triggers Enormous Protests

Written by Isaac Orr
in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy, Taxes

Diesel prices in France have skyrocketed more than 23 percent over the last 12 months and French motorists already spend more than $7.00 per gallon, USD. Despite these enormous costs, French President Emmanuel Macron has stated the rising gas taxes are needed to reduce France’s dependence on fossil fuels and fund renewable energy investment.  The new taxes would raise the cost of diesel fuel by nearly 30 cents per gallon, and will continue to climb in the coming years....

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on November 07, 2018
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As Blue Wave Fizzles to Purple Haze, There Are Reasons for Optimism Amid Midterm Results

Written by Isaac Orr
in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

It turns out there was no blue wave or red wave, and the purple haze that settled over the country in the wake of the midterm elections gives me reasons for optimism moving forward regarding energy and environmental policy in the coming years. 1.Senate gains could mean we will finally end the handouts for wind and solar: As you may know, wind and solar are huge recipients of federal tax subsidies, and these subsidies are the main reason why anyone invests in wind or solar. Fortunately, last night's results maybe these subsidies may finally go the way of the dodo bird. The wind...

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