“Low-carbon economy” on The Daily Caller

In tonight’s State of the Union speech, President Obama called for massive new “investments” in renewable energy. By that he means that he wants to transfer billions of dollars to the renewable energy industry via subsidies, while also accomplishing his previously expressed goal of making “electricity prices necessarily skyrocket.” (more)

It is crystal clear that the United States is in the middle of a budget crisis. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the past two reported federal budget deficits were the highest on record since the end of World War II. Everyone in America, with the possible exception of those folks working at the White House and within Pelosi’s caucus, understands that significant spending cuts must be made and that the government needs to get out of the business of picking winners and losers in the private sector. (more)

We’ve seen a lot of stupid videos lately, such as the 10:10 fiasco of blowing up school children because they were ambivalent about reducing their carbon footprint. Now, we are treated to a “behind-the-scenes” video of how Hyundai shot a commercial for a gasoline-powered car, using no gasoline and leaving no carbon footprint. There’s all sorts of clever human-powered props, and the whole set resembles some sort of Rube Goldberg contraption. But the real punch line is: they had some guys push the car to get it going for one scene. (more)

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu will travel to West Virginia next month to discuss the future of coal. He will be peddling compelling ideas; compelling because those opposed to carbon taxation may recognize the arguments. In fact, those arguments will be used to promote placing a price on carbon emissions — essentially levying yet another tax on businesses and individuals who rely on coal-generated power. (more)

In his address to the nation on the response to the BP oil spill, President Obama played the “China card” – invoking fear of falling behind the emerging economic superpower – to spur support for more subsidies for renewable energy. The President said “countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America.” The use of China as an exemplar of green energy investment is odd. Most analysts are more concerned about the “environmental crisis” caused by China’s rapid, fossil fuel-based industrialization. Last December, China refused to sign on to the non-binding Copenhagen greenhouse gas reduction goals and in March 2010 was only willing to agree to reduce its “carbon intensity.” Were China a leader in green energy investment and employment, one would expect its government to exploit this competitive advantage by championing a global climate accord. (more)

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its review of the American Power Act proposed by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). The analysis is conveniently rosy, and the sponsors are eagerly promoting the EPA’s finding that the average household will face an average estimated cost increase of only $79, to $146. (more)

On the cusp of an immigration debate and sandwiched in between finance reform and hearings on the spill, a Graham-less Kerry-Lieberman (KL) energy bill was finally introduced as the Senate’s initial response to the 2009 House bill. Emission levels have been suggested, a carbon market has been outlined, but provisions included in earlier drafts of House climate legislation relating to what’s called a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) failed to make the grade. (more)