on September 01, 2019

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Why the Green “Real” Deal, Is Just as Dumb as the Green New Deal

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

We all know that AOC's Green New Deal is a really dumb idea, but that hasn't stopped a Republican Congressman from Florida from proposing his own legislation that closely resembles the bad policies included in the original. Mark Mathis from the Clear Energy Alliance does a great job of demonstrating why the so-called "Green Real Deal" is bad policy wrapped in conservative-sounding language. https://youtu.be/O68m2OtIMyQ...

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on May 31, 2019

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Senator Osmek Unloaded on House DFL Energy Proposals, and It Was Glorious

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Senator David Osmek (R-Mound), who is the head of the Minnesota Senate energy committee, recently unloaded on the incredibly bad proposals brought forth by the DFL-led House of Representatives, and it was glorious. Soon after the video starts, Senator Osmek calls the energy section an abomination and an absolute failure. The video gives us a glimpse into the negotiations that occurred as the House and Senate attempted to reconcile the differences between their energy priorities. Throughout the negotiation process, both the House and Senate had the opportunity name legislation that would be a "non-starter" to be taken out, but it turns out...

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on April 16, 2019

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The Case for a Green ‘No Deal’

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Those who advocate for Minnesota's "Green New Deal" are not the adults in the room. How can one credibly claim that global warming is an "existential crisis," yet refuse to utilize the most reliable, affordable, and scaleable sources of carbon-dioxide free electricity available? I submit that they cannot. But do we need to make a Green New Deal at all? The following article argues that we do not....

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on March 27, 2019

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Even U.S. Senate Democrats Aren’t Crazy Enough to Vote For the Green New Deal

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

Yesterday the U.S. Senate held a vote on the much discussed Green New Deal (GND). Interestingly, the non-binding resolution on the GND failed to get a even single vote, being defeated 0-57, despite the fact that several candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination are sitting senators who have voiced public support for the resolution. These senators include Corey Booker, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Amy Klobuchar. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was quick to pounce on the results, releasing the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j_Djv4Q74Q&feature=youtu.be Will Governor Walz get the message and pare back his own plan for a disastrous Green New Deal...

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on March 10, 2019

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How Much Would One Day’s Worth of Battery Storage Cost Minnesota Households? $820 per Year, for 20 Years

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Last week I was on WCCO's program with Paul and Jordana, and we had a very spirited discussion. I'd highly encourage you to listen to the 12 minute interview if you have time. During the interview, I asked Paul what he planned to do when the wind wasn't blowing or sun wasn't shining, and he emphatically stated that batteries with large posteriors (he used other words, of course), would be up to the challenge of providing electricity when the weather did not cooperate with wind and solar generation, citing examples in Australia and California as evidence for his claim. For the sake...

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on March 08, 2019

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HF 1956: MN Green New Deal Denies Role for Nuclear and Large Hydro

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

The Governor's lip-service to nuclear power appears to be a bait-and-switch. Nuclear is ok, just not existing nuclear or new nuclear....

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on February 25, 2019

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The Green New Disaster is Coming Early to New York

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

New York has been anti-fossil fuel for many years, and it is finally starting to catch up with them. The following article originally appeared in the New York Post. New Yorkers experienced the headache caused by Gov. Cuomo’s crusade against natural gas last week, when a public hearing was held to discuss Con Edison’s January announcement that it would institute a moratorium on accepting new gas customers in Westchester County. The Empire State has stymied the construction of the necessary transmission infrastructure, so Con Ed is unable to keep up with demand. In addition to his decision to ban hydraulic fracturing in 2014...

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on February 23, 2019

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In the Tank Episode 179

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Hello! In this edition of the In the Tank podcast, Donny interviews Jonathan Williams from ALEC about his organization's latest installment of the Rich States Poor States book. Minnesota does not fair well. Also, we talk about the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to disallow unfair fines and how it pertains to civil asset forfeiture, and we lambaste an incredibly misleading headline by the New York Times on the Green New Deal. https://soundcloud.com/user-694711047/in-the-tank-ep179-rich-states-poor-states-civil-asset-forfeiture-nyt-article-fail...

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on February 18, 2019

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Mix One Part Green New Deal With One Part Polar Vortex

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

A deadly cold front recently swept through the Midwest, but thanks to nuclear energy, coal and natural gas, things did not turn out as badly as they could have. Most people stayed warm and safe because they trusted affordable, reliable and secure domestic energy sources that have served us for decades. The system that provides electricity and heat for millions could change drastically under the proposed Green New Deal. Proponents propose to completely abandon the sources of energy that protected millions of lives recently, telling us that “the world will end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change.” From there, they springboard to...

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