2008

Paul Chesser, Climate Strategies Watch

Renewable portfolio standards that have passed in several states (and promoted by many other state climate commissions) are nothing more than another hidden energy tax (like cap-and-trade). That is no better illustrated than in a Raleigh News & Observer article today, which explains how Progress Energy is about to go to battle with North Carolina's Utilities Commission in order to raise rates so it can pay for its (state-required 12.5 percent minimum) renewable-sourced energy generation:

Progress Energy is ready to start charging customers extra to tap solar power and other renewable resources, but the power company is facing criticism that its proposed charges favor energy hogs.

The two sides will get a hearing today before the N.C. Utilities Commission, which will decide whether the Raleigh-based utility's request is reasonable. The hearing is the first public debate on how best to pay for the alternative energy that utilities must tap to meet a new state law.

Progress wants to charge households 46 cents a month, businesses $2.33 a month and industrial customers $23.38 a month. If approved, the new charges would go into effect in December.

Meanwhile environmental extremists are doing everything they can to kill a new Duke Energy coal-fired power plant that just obtained air quality permits. Unrelenting court battles are their strategy.

If renewables are such a great source of power that can replace fossil fuels, why the need to raise monthly electric rates? Why the need for massive subsidies? Oh, that's right — it's for all those great new "green" jobs!

Our rapidly growing national pro-consumer grassroots network is going to shake the halls of Congress next week in its demand for more American energy.

Led by the Congress of Racial Equality, a coalition of leaders from the African American, civil rights, agriculture, Christian, senior citizen and consumer rights communities will stage a "Stop The War On The Poor" Rally and press conference on the U.S. Capitol Grounds next Tuesday, July 15 at 2 p.m.

You can see details on this event here.

We expect a few dozen Members of Congress — both Democrats and Republicans — will participate in next Tuesday's rally.  This rally will kick off a large, highly integrated national campaign that will activate several million citizens by the end of this year to push for more domestic energy production. 

You can see a brief summary of the national "Stop The War on the Poor" campaign plan here.No industry or business representatives will be on the stage next Tuesday — only grassroots, consumer and community leaders.  However, you are encouraged to send representatives to attend the event and be a part of the crowd — that will lend to the success of the rally.  Please pass this on to your DC lobbyists or representatives, if your company has any.

One of the mysteries of the universe is why President Bush bothers to charge the fixed bayonets of the global warming theocracy. On the other hand, his Administration's supposed "cowboy diplomacy" is succeeding in changing the way the world addresses climate change. Which is to say, he has forced the world to pay at least some attention to reality.

For a perfect example of what is meant by "gesture politics" – an empty pledge given solely for effect, which the politician has no hope of honouring – one could not do better than this week's commitment by the G8 leaders on how they want us to fight climate change.

Cap-and-Trade “Minimizing”   [Larry Kudlow]

Yesterday I wrote that the McCain campaign is distancing itself and moving away from cap-and-trade. This is clear from the fact that the senator’s recent speeches do not mention cap-and-trade, and that the 15-page policy pamphlet issued by the campaign also makes no mention of cap-and-trade.

After several responses to my piece shot thru the blogosphere yesterday, Jill Hazelbaker, McCain’s communications director, issued a statement saying that any notion that the senator is abandoning or minimizing his support for cap-and-trade is “totally false.”

Well, as far as abandoning, that’s not what I said. I wrote that a McCain presidency might resurrect cap-and-trade, although it will be a much different format. But the key point is that several campaign advisors told me that the issue now is jobs and the economy, and of course $4 gas at the pump and $140 oil in the world market. Since cap-and-trade would not only establish the biggest government regulatory plan in history, and also would substantially raise gas and other fuel prices, the idea is a loser right now as every opinion-poll survey clearly shows.

Hence, the senator is being smart to move away from cap-and-trade and instead support drill, drill, drill for more energy supplies to reduce gas prices, as well as tax-cut plans to spur economic growth and jobs.

Mr. McCain is also correct to link drill, drill, drill with new energy-related job creation. In my formulation of this, nuclear power and clean coal are part of drill, drill, drill, as are natural gas and even alternative fuels. Last night former-Sen. Phil Gramm, who is ostensibly McCain’s most senior economic advisor, said as much on our program.

So while Ms. Hazelbaker may say that minimizing cap-and-trade support is totally false, she is engaging in a certain degree of cognitive dissonance on this subject. And let me note that the intent of my piece yesterday was to praise Mr. McCain on this topic, not to bury him. 

After writing favorably about Sen. McCain’s recent economics speeches, where he clearly shifted toward the supply-side both on tax cuts and producing more energy, I went back last evening and carefully read his 15-page policy pamphlet called “Jobs for America.” Here’s what I found: There is no mention of cap-and-trade. None. Nada. There is a section about “Cheap, Clean, Secure Energy for America: The Lexington Project.” But that talks about expanded domestic production of oil and gas, as well as the need for more nuclear power and coal along with alternative sources. Then it has the $300 million battery and flex-fuel cars. But nope, no cap-and-trade.

If Steve Schmidt had anything to do with McCain’s nouveau supply-side economics, good for him.07/09 03:02 PM