I continue to be confused how the leadership of the EPA can be taken seriously if they continue to personally exhale CO2 throughout the day. Until they lead by example, and end their own CO2 emissions, why would anything else they say or do have real meaning?
From which: "In response to the 1973 oil shock, France embarked on a highly ambitious nuclear power development plan, which led to the construction of 58 reactors in just 15 years."
I know you have reported this before but it is astounding to me that the EPA did not use reliability as a driving factor in their decisions. As a Louisiana resident, we had a small hurricane come through last week and the question among coworkers is always the same: “did you get your power back yet?” People take their electricity for granted but don’t fully realize how life screeches to a halt if you don’t have it. Well, people in hurricane alley know because just about everyone I know has a generator of some sort. However, I question a lot of the rest of the country.
The EPA is just one example of an agency that has stopped working in the interest of the American people and has traded science for political agendas disconnected from reality. I appreciate that PJM and others are fighting back, so the grid does not get disconnected too.
A big part of the problem is that the EPA is largely (entirely?) captured by the NRDC in much the same way that the SEC is fully captured by Goldman Sachs.
Obama's "Clean Air Plan" was verbatim a proposal that the NRDC authored and shopped around before finding fertile ground in Obama's administration (Holdren as "Science" advisor). This latest abomination is just a new iteration of the same insanity.
Things will become more pointed if the EPA and Biden Administration simply ignore what the court has to say, because I expect the court to act sensibly. The utilities are in a tough position. They have to play nice with regulators, but eventually they also have to tell the truth about operation of the grid, which they know more about than anyone else. When blackouts occur, regulators and politicians will pin the blame on them. Get ahead of the issue. Everyone knows how politics works, except those on whom politics works.
One of your suggested readings is in regard to demand charges. You know, people do not read their utility bills, and probably could not comprehend them if they did. One tactic I've taken lately is to stop making a data-driven argument about why wind/solar cannot operate without thermal generation, and to speak instead to how much demand charges (or some other rate determinant, like special assessments or fees) will have to rise to pay for transmission and storage. It's stunning.
Richard Ellenbogen, speaking to New York's Climate Act, says the 2,400 GWhr estimated as needed for grid stability, which by my research is grossly an under-estimate, will still add $68,000 per NY resident to capital investment. That's probably around $200,000 per ratepayer -- maybe ten times current amount. Imagine the charges!
When I’m dealing with people making bad decisions I send emails and demand answers to create a paper trail so when the shit hits the fan there’s no doubt who is responsible
I see this as what these system operators are doing, establishing a public paper trail that cannot be denied when the worst comes to pass.
It needs to be clear who was responsible and therefore whose head goes on the pike
Planned demolition seems to be the only explanation. Nothing else can describe the utter disdain this administration has for the people of our country.
I know the present insanity, even beyond sabotage to the grid, seems planned, but I am still convinced that a combination of ignorance, hubris, and utopian foolishness can produce the same result. I other words, I think there is a chance sanity will return. The Bad Boys are aiding this effort
The immediate actors (Biden's administration) may simply be stupid and ignorant, but the folks originating these plans that Biden so eagerly implements do intend harm and sabotage to our civilization. They are trying to destroy society.
This is fantastic news!!! Thank you for due diligence and highlighting the reality of what is to come because of uneducated bureaucrats pushing a false agenda.
I fear it will be ignored by EPA. And they will figure out how to skin the cat. It won’t stop until these elite swamp snobs feel the pain caused by their actions, or the peasants show up with torches and pitchforks. I expect no change in the path until rolling blackouts are real and frequent.
I continue to be confused how the leadership of the EPA can be taken seriously if they continue to personally exhale CO2 throughout the day. Until they lead by example, and end their own CO2 emissions, why would anything else they say or do have real meaning?
Dark. I laughed. But dark 😉
Sometimes it just works out that way. Love your stuff
Thank you EBBs - interesting as always and I love Saul's video.
Referring back to your post on Germany, I came across this article in Politico during the week which may interest you and your subscribers - not everyone in Europe is asleep: Former Poland PM: ‘We’re living under the illusion of environmentalism’ https://www.politico.eu/article/former-poland-prime-minister-mateusz-morawiecki-environmentalism-reindustrialization-economy-industry-green-policy-competitiveness/
From which: "In response to the 1973 oil shock, France embarked on a highly ambitious nuclear power development plan, which led to the construction of 58 reactors in just 15 years."
It can be done.
Thanks, Ian!
I know you have reported this before but it is astounding to me that the EPA did not use reliability as a driving factor in their decisions. As a Louisiana resident, we had a small hurricane come through last week and the question among coworkers is always the same: “did you get your power back yet?” People take their electricity for granted but don’t fully realize how life screeches to a halt if you don’t have it. Well, people in hurricane alley know because just about everyone I know has a generator of some sort. However, I question a lot of the rest of the country.
You guys rock it! The lack of accountability for the EPA is astounding.
There is no accountability in government any more unless it is at the ground level.
Thanks Dave!
The EPA is just one example of an agency that has stopped working in the interest of the American people and has traded science for political agendas disconnected from reality. I appreciate that PJM and others are fighting back, so the grid does not get disconnected too.
When a tree consumes 22 kg of CO2 per day, the world is carbon negative.
The EPA is just another 'public-private partnership' cartel that is legalized crime against taxpayers. Nothing more.
A big part of the problem is that the EPA is largely (entirely?) captured by the NRDC in much the same way that the SEC is fully captured by Goldman Sachs.
Obama's "Clean Air Plan" was verbatim a proposal that the NRDC authored and shopped around before finding fertile ground in Obama's administration (Holdren as "Science" advisor). This latest abomination is just a new iteration of the same insanity.
With this, will these RTOs lobby the states to overturn Renewable Portfolio Standards too?
Probably not. They always claim they are “policy takers not policy makers” but maybe that will change as we get closer to the edge of the cliff.
Things will become more pointed if the EPA and Biden Administration simply ignore what the court has to say, because I expect the court to act sensibly. The utilities are in a tough position. They have to play nice with regulators, but eventually they also have to tell the truth about operation of the grid, which they know more about than anyone else. When blackouts occur, regulators and politicians will pin the blame on them. Get ahead of the issue. Everyone knows how politics works, except those on whom politics works.
One of your suggested readings is in regard to demand charges. You know, people do not read their utility bills, and probably could not comprehend them if they did. One tactic I've taken lately is to stop making a data-driven argument about why wind/solar cannot operate without thermal generation, and to speak instead to how much demand charges (or some other rate determinant, like special assessments or fees) will have to rise to pay for transmission and storage. It's stunning.
Richard Ellenbogen, speaking to New York's Climate Act, says the 2,400 GWhr estimated as needed for grid stability, which by my research is grossly an under-estimate, will still add $68,000 per NY resident to capital investment. That's probably around $200,000 per ratepayer -- maybe ten times current amount. Imagine the charges!
We live in interesting times.
When I’m dealing with people making bad decisions I send emails and demand answers to create a paper trail so when the shit hits the fan there’s no doubt who is responsible
I see this as what these system operators are doing, establishing a public paper trail that cannot be denied when the worst comes to pass.
It needs to be clear who was responsible and therefore whose head goes on the pike
It is time to take the regulatory wrecking ball out of the hands of those who pay no price for being wrong.
The Biden Administration's approach to the electricity transition is designed to fail and is likely intended to pave the way to nationalization.
Planned demolition seems to be the only explanation. Nothing else can describe the utter disdain this administration has for the people of our country.
I know the present insanity, even beyond sabotage to the grid, seems planned, but I am still convinced that a combination of ignorance, hubris, and utopian foolishness can produce the same result. I other words, I think there is a chance sanity will return. The Bad Boys are aiding this effort
The immediate actors (Biden's administration) may simply be stupid and ignorant, but the folks originating these plans that Biden so eagerly implements do intend harm and sabotage to our civilization. They are trying to destroy society.
This is fantastic news!!! Thank you for due diligence and highlighting the reality of what is to come because of uneducated bureaucrats pushing a false agenda.
Thanks, Melanie!
Yes, Isaac, thanks for your(s) efforts. It goes without saying.
I fear it will be ignored by EPA. And they will figure out how to skin the cat. It won’t stop until these elite swamp snobs feel the pain caused by their actions, or the peasants show up with torches and pitchforks. I expect no change in the path until rolling blackouts are real and frequent.
I think that’s probably right. And then they’ll have backup generators 🤷♂️
Powerful work, ungentle Boys. The EPA has deserved spankings since Gina McCarthy took control of CPP.
Great analysis!!
This is a fantastic development. Thank you for flagging it!
How can communities help support you with this? Letters, resolutions, etc.? What would you suggest?