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On The 2013 Energy Trust Barometer: Mixed Readings

I forgot to add that the distrust is far easier to understand if you already believe in Original Sin or you've studied the Second Law of Thermodynamics.  Or you're an Astros fan.

On The 2013 Energy Trust Barometer: Mixed Readings

The wider context is that trust is lacking in every arena of policy discussion.  Immigration, fiscal policy, taxes, foreign affairs, social issues, health care.  Distrust is the rule rather than the exception.

On California: Energy Rich, Decision Poor

How about the high taxes?  Are those temporary too?

On California: Energy Rich, Decision Poor

The U-Haul Index (merely contrasting prices between cities) is a symptom of the disease.  An interactive review of available data regarding migration patterns is here.  For instance, it's interesting to compare Los Angeles with Harris County in Texas.

In the larger context, it is relevant that California did not add congressional seats in the last census (only the second time in its history) whereas Texas gained four.  When you compare unemployment rates and taxes, it's not hard to wonder why.

On California: Energy Rich, Decision Poor

Anybody check the latest U-haul Index between California and Texas?

On Reaching Energy Limits in a Finite World

Gail,

Wondering how you expect "leadership" to address these issues without them (eventually) being seen as just another garden-variety Social Darwinist and/or Robert Malthus disciple.  It isn't as if these are new ideas.

On IEA: Global Progress on Clean Energy Has Stalled, New Policies Needed

To anybody wondering why progress on transitioning to alternative energy is "alarmingly slow", I recommend a healthy dose of Vaclav Smil.

On Activism is Half the Battle: The Need for Clean Energy Policymakers

Energy policy is no exception to this rule. This learning process tends to reinforce existing ways of thinking about and approaching problems within the energy system. The unique view that an outsider to the issue may bring, while uninformed about the inner mechanics and finer details, often sparks new ways of solving problems that would not have occurred otherwise. Further, these new ways of looking at things may run counter to the dominant narrative.

The trouble with this line of thinking is that it dances around the fact that "existing ways of thinking" about energy are rooted in mature technology.  The desire for a paradigm shift is understandable, but anybody that is "uninformed about the inner mechanics" can look forward to an unexpected and unwanted lesson in energy fundamentals, especially the laws of thermodynamics. 

On The Path to 100% Renewables

Soren,

Appreciate the response.  I understand the points, but they won't help the case in the U.S.  The average American will immediately suspect the extra taxes are simply repackaging of the higher costs.  It isn't just Denmark and Germany, either; the price for electricity is noticeably higher in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, all of which have embraced wind and solar.  

Don't get me wrong.  Every country must decide its own energy policy, and higher costs can be justified as a tradeoff for other goals, such as environmental considerations or as an alternative to higher income taxes, as you mention.  Thing is, that same policy can also serve as a clear example of what another country would like to avoid.

On The Path to 100% Renewables

At least '100% renewables' sounds more feasible than 'perpetual motion machine'.

1) Elaborating on I K's point: the "study" assumes "perfect transmission within PJM".  Back in the real world, dozens of integration studies have been performed which assess what can realistically be expected from high penetration levels of variable, intermittent generation.

2) Elaborating on Nathan's point, it is instructive that the countries with the most aggressive integration plans for renewables are the most expensive, cases-in-point being Denmark, followed by Germany.

The closest thing to a perpetual motion machine will be a microgrid run on hydropower.  Thus it becomes clear that wind and solar will always be severely limited because of their extremely low energy density (i.e., the energy concentrated in a volume of falling water is order-of-magnitude above a comparable amount of wind or sunshine).  That wind and solar are also variable and intermittent makes them triply cursed.

On Bill McKibben Gets the Math Wrong on Fracking

I'll rephrase my comment.  There is no question McKibben is sober.  I'm curious whether anybody outside the environmentalist crowd thinks he's realistic.

On Bill McKibben Gets the Math Wrong on Fracking

Curious if McKibben is taken seriously by anybody outside the environmentalist crowd.  Seems like the only thing he knows how to do is preach to the choir.