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 May 08, 2019

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Walz Administration Couldn’t Be More Wrong About Nuclear Power

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

At a recent press conference, Gov. Tim Walz's administration suggested the economics of nuclear power likely make it too expensive to be part of his plan to produce 100% of Minnesota’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050. Instead, the administration argued technological improvements would allow wind and solar to reliably and affordably meet Minnesota’s energy needs. Unfortunately, the Walz administration couldn’t be more wrong on either account....

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on May 06, 2019

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Refuting “Local View: Minnesota Must Aggressively Move to Less-Costly Renewables”

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

My piece in the Duluth News Tribune detailing how a 50 percent renewable energy mandate would harm the mining industry has generated quite the controversy, with at least three counterpoints from renewable energy special interest groups. Today, I'm refuting a member of the Citizen's Climate Lobby....

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on May 03, 2019

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The King Banaian Show: 4/27/19 HR 2: Isaac Orr and the Cost of Renewable Energy Mandate

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

I was also on the King Banaian show last weekend to talk about how renewable energy mandates and subsidies, not markets, are responsible for the eroding market share of coal-fired power plants, the University of Chicago report that found renewable energy mandates increase the cost of electricity and cost $130 per metric ton of CO2 avoided, and why there is zero free market case for building wind and solar in our state. https://omny.fm/shows/the-king-banaian-show/4-27-19-hr-2-isaac-orr-and-the-cost-of-renewable-e...

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on May 02, 2019

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Minnesota Madness! New Video Sums Up Our New Study

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

In case you didn't have time to read Doubling Down on Failure, our 80 page report on the cost of a 50 percent renewable energy mandate, you're in luck because the Clear Energy Alliance has made a four minute video explaining the findings. Share it far and wide to get the message of energy sanity to as many people as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rf5z2bNY7Q...

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on May 01, 2019

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Isaac Orr Talks The High Cost of Renewable Energy Mandates on AFP Radio

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment

Last weekend I was on American's For Prosperity Radio with Jason Flohrs discussing our latest report on the energy proposals supported by Governor Walz and the DFL house. A 50 percent renewable energy mandate cost $80.2 billion through 2050, which is $1,200 per household per year through 2050, but only avert 0.0006 degrees C of global warming by 2100! Enjoy the show! https://omny.fm/shows/americans-for-prosperity-radio/04-27-19-competing-tax-plans-the-true-cost-of-ener?t=36m59s ...

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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 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 April 10, 2019

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MN Commerce Department Commissioner Kelly Tips His Hand: “Carbon Free” Still Means No New Nuclear

Written by Isaac Orr

in Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

If Governor Walz really believes that climate change is an existential threat, why would he refuse to legalize the most reliable, affordable, and permanent source of electricity that does not emit carbon dioxide emissions? The fact that is not even willing to advocate for repealing Minnesota's ban on new nuclear power plants that has been in effect since 1994 means Governor Walz is not the adult in the room, no matter how me may try to position himself as the realist on environmental issues. ...

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on April 09, 2019

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Walz’s Comments on Public Utilities Commission Appointment is an Ominous Sign for Line 3, Rational Energy Policy

Written by Isaac Orr

in Climate, Energy, Environment, Minnesota Economy

Line 3 opponents often argue the Governor should deep-six the oil pipeline replacement project because it would lock in oil use for the foreseeable future when we should, in reality be transitioning away from oil in favor of electric cars. But these arguments are pure wishful thinking with no basis in reality....

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