on July 30, 2020

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Michael Shellenberger Triggers House Democrats By Speaking the Truth About Wind and Solar

Written by Isaac Orr

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Micheal Shellenberger, a man who has spent thirty years of his life as an environmental activist, testified in front of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. He was invited to testify because in 2009, he championed the renewable energy policies of the Obama administration, but since that time Mr. Shellenberger has realized that wind and solar cannot power our society for purely physical reasons. I'd encourage you to watch his testimony in the video below, and read his account of the testimony, which I have copied below. https://youtu.be/P-zuaH2Jkmc?t=1625 Mr. Shellenberger wrote the following piece describing his...

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on July 24, 2020

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How Long Can You Power a Light Bulb With Two Pounds of Fuel?

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

One of the most important concepts in energy policy is understanding energy density, or how much energy can be extracted from a certain quantity of fuel. Solar and wind power are the least energy dense sources of power. They require huge amounts of land to produce small amounts of energy. Wood, or biomass, is more dense than wind or solar, coal is more energy dense than wood, oil is more energy dense than coal, and uranium puts all of these other sources to shame. This is why wind and solar are the energy past, fossil fuels are the energy present, and...

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on July 16, 2020

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Biden’s New Energy Plan Is Terrible

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden released his updated plan for energy, which calls for expanding renewable energy mandates to meet a 100 percent carbon-free electric grid by 2035, spending billions of dollars on wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage, an ill-conceived plan to make the entire fleet of school buses electric, a dedication to money-losing energy efficiency projects, subsidizing electric vehicles (EVs), and using taxpayer dollars to build EV charging stations. A child's Christmas list to Santa Claus is more realistic than this plan, but it is necessary for us to take a look at...

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on July 01, 2020

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A Conservative Vision for Energy Policy in Minnesota

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment

Last week, Ben Gerber, who is a board member for the Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum (MNCEF) took to the pages of The Minnesota Reformer, which is likely the most progressive outlet in the state, in an attempt to defend his positions on energy policy. In his article, which I encourage you to read, Mr. Gerber argues that MNCEF, and not Center of the American Experiment, is the group that opposes heavy-handed government solutions. But this claim is incorrect, as I spell out in my reply below. I am told may be run on the Reformer's website at some date in the future. The...

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on June 29, 2020

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Michael Shellenberger: On Behalf Of Environmentalists, I Apologize For The Climate Scare

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment

Liberal politicians in Minnesota often use climate change as the justification for doing virtually anything they want. Governor Walz has delayed the replacement of an aging oil pipeline, attempted to mandate 100 percent of the state's electricity come from wind, solar, and batteries, despite the enormous cost, and he has also tried to force Minnesota to obey California's car regulations. All of these actions is predicated on their insistence that climate change is an existential crisis. But if these liberal lawmakers actually believe the world will end unless we act quickly, why don't they immediately end Minnesota's ban on new nuclear power...

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on June 16, 2020

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Debunking the Minnesota “Conservative” Energy Forum’s Talking Points: Renewables Don’t Strengthen Our National Security, They Weaken It

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Most of the conservatives I know strongly believe in limited a government that is primarily focused on enforcing contracts and maintaining law and order. As a result, many conservatives care deeply about having a strong national security to protect the United States from potential threats. National security is often thought of in terms of military might. In this regard, the United States is unparalleled. However, energy is also an indispensable ingredient to keeping America safe, but unfortunately, the Minnesota "Conservative" Energy Forum's advocacy for more wind and solar power doesn't strengthen America's national security, it weakens it. This article is the fourth in...

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on April 15, 2020

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Tune in at Noon Today to Learn Everything Wrong With Minnesota’s Green New Deal!

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz continues to march Minnesota toward a Green New Deal. Whether it's mandating Minnesotans be forced to comply with California car mandates, or attempting to force the electric grid to be 100 percent "carbon free" without the help of nuclear or large hydro, Walz's liberal, metro-centric worldview continues to drive up the cost of living for all Minnesotans. Click HERE to register! After the presentation, Isaac will answer your questions in a live audience Q&A. Submit your questions in advance by clicking here! Join us Wednesday, April 15 at 12:00 pm by signing up HERE! Questions? Contact Kathryn Hinderaker at kathryn.hinderaker@americanexperiment.org....

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on April 09, 2020

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Our Perspective: New Suburban Solar Projects Part of a Wave of New Projects in Minnesota

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment

On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Star Tribune ran a story entitled "New Suburban Solar Projects Part of a Wave of New Projects in Minnesota." The article discusses businesses that claim the solar panels installed at their facilities will offset significant amounts of their electricity use, and will have a three to five year payback periods. Energy issues are complex, and the solar industry has a strong financial interest in only presenting the "sunny" side of their industry without discussing the negative consequences that stem from adding solar to the grid. Unfortunately, the article could have have been more balanced by explaining...

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on January 31, 2020

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German Electricity Prices Have Increased 2.5 Times Since 2008

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy

Every year for the last several years, Minnesota lawmakers have piled onto a plane to visit Germany, which is supposedly a renewable energy utopia. It is amazing that so many taxpayer dollars can be used to learn so little, because Germany is a prime example of what not to do. I've written about this topic many times, but the myth that Germany's energy system is a success story never seems to go away. Over the last 12 years, Germany has spent hundreds of billions of Euro on wind and solar, and the only thing they have to show for it is...

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on January 29, 2020

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The “How Do We Make This Bill Less Ugly?” – Proposed Changes to Improve Clean Energy First

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

The last two days I've reviewed The Good and The Bad parts of the proposed Clean Energy First legislation currently circulating in the Minnesota States Senate. Today, in sticking with our Sergio Leone theme, I'll talk about a few ways to make the bill less Ugly. 1. Instead of Granting Cost Recovery for Prematurely Retired Assets, Require Utilities to Sell the Plants on the Open Market to the Highest Bidder Why should Minnesota families and businesses be forced to continue to pay for a coal plant that is going to be destroyed before the end of its useful lifetime? This should be...

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