Recent New Snippets, Aug 2011
USA: ELECTRICTY PRICES TO INCREASE?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) will shortly be forcing the shutdown of about 20 percent of coal-generated electric capacity in the United States.
Coal generates about half the electricity demanded in the US. The country will have to use more expensive ways of generating electricity to make up the 10% shortfall.
20 Aug 2011
ANTI-CARBON TAX PROTEST IN CANBERRA
Between four and five thousand people, according to BBC R4 News(1), gathered in Canberra to protest about the carbon tax proposed by P.M. Julia Gillard. Five years ago, 68% of Australians thought that man-made climate change was a significant problem. That figure has now dropped to 41%.
There is widespread opposition to a carbon tax in Australia for two reasons: firstly, Julia Gillard promised a year ago not to introduce one; secondly, a carbon tax threatens to destroy much of Australia's economy.
There were unconvincing attempts by the P.M. to label the protesters as 'lunatic fringe'.
However, those who know that man-made carbon dioxide is a not a cause of climate change are, in the main, ordinary people. If there is an election, they will not be inclined to vote for a person describing them as deniers or extremists. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
17 Aug 2011
(1) ABC, a strong supporter of the AGW hypothesis, said that the figure was 3,000.
RICK PERRY TO BE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
A spokesman for Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, told the Associated Press on 11th August that he is running for President.
If he is sucessful, we will need to know more about him. I'm summarising his views on energy policy below.
- Perry does not believe there is valid scientific proof for man-made global warming. He has said several times that there is no scientific consensus on the issue. In a September 7, 2007, speech to California Republicans during September 2007, he said "Virtually every day another scientist leaves the global warming bandwagon. ... But you won't read about that in the press because they have already invested in one side of the story."
Texas-based TXU had been planning a $10 billion investment in 11 new coal-fired power plants over the next few years, but reduced those plans in 2007 under the terms of a buyout by a consortium of private equity firms. The Governor's Clean Coal Technology Council is exploring ways to generate clean energy with coal.
Perry opposes regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. He points out that there would be devastating implications for the Texas economy and the energy industry. He has stated that he supports an energy policy including oil, coal, nuclear, biofuels, hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy.
NEW STUDY QUESTIONS FOCUS ON 'GREENHOUSE' GASES
A new study by two research scientists implies that the climate modelling community needs to open up its research agenda. As yet it has not demonstrated that it can produce better forecasts than simpler statistical methods.
A consequence of this, explored by Robert Fildes and Nikolaous Kourentzes at the Lancaster Centre for Forecasting, is that excessive focus on limiting green house gases may be misguided. The hydrologist Keith Beven’s work on modelling carried out in the Lancaster Environment Centre leads to the same conclusion. More about this on the Lancaster University website.
12 Aug 2011
CLIMATE FUTURES EXCHANGE TO CLOSE
The Intercontinental Exchange said it will shut down its U.S. emissions derivatives platform. The reason is sparse trading. The chances of a federal carbon-reduction plan being implemented are very slim.
11 Aug 2011
EEF CRITICISES CLIMATE TAXES
The expense of trying to change the climate by reducing carbon dioxide emissions is starting to put people out of work. The manufacturers' association EEF said that the Government had underestimated the cost of its environmental measures. Readers will be aware of job losses in manufacturing caused by increased energy prices; they have been highlighted in the media.
Water vapour, not carbon dioxide, is responsible for about 90% of the 'greenhouse effect', so there is no scientific justification for these measures..
From next year, firms will have to pay green taxes to meet EU emissions limits. All firms over a certain size will be required to measure their carbon dioxide emissions and buy permits from the Government.
The money will go to the Treasury.
There is increasing dissatisfaction over this form of taxation. Last year, £40billion was raised; £27 billion of it by motorists.
Ofgem says that the average householder's electricity and gas bills are inflated by about £100 a year as a result of green taxation and 'decarbonisation' measures.
5 Aug 2011
EPA CONTINUES TO OPPOSE INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT
America's Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to insist that carbon dioxide, a gas vital to all life on Earth, has to be regulated and paid for.
Even after the government's failed effort to get Cap-and-Trade legislation passed, the EPA still pursues this policy. It is in the process of completing and finalizing a large number of rules and regulations which will cost industry hundreds of billions of dollars. Only Congress can stop this becoming law.
The claim is that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing global warming, therefore it must be reduced, regardless of expense.
It is curious that during a recession, when the balance sheets of every company are being scrutinised so closely, the same rules are not being applied to the EPA.
Humans exhale about six pounds of carbon dioxide each day. Energy for manufacturing, for transportation, and for the production of electricity, all generate carbon dioxide.
The most effective way of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide we produce is to de-industrialise, and to adopt the lifestyle of our ancestors.
One wonders if this is the hidden agenda behind some of the EPA's policies.
3 Aug 2011
big turbines
small turbines