Cooler Heads Digest 24 May 2013

24 May 2013

Announcement

A team of independent filmmakers are raising funds through crowd funding to produce a short film depicting the irrational basis for climate change mitigation policies. “50 to 1” will show that “it is 50 times more expensive to try and stop global warming than it is to adapt to it as (and if) it happens.” To learn more, click here, where you can also donate to the project.

In the News

Carbon Tax: Just Say No
Robert Bradley, Jr., Master Resource, 24 May 2013

The Enviro Fix Is in
Jillian Kay Melchior, National Review, 23 May 2013

Peak Oil Columnist Should Say “Never Mind”
Sam Kazman, Falls Church News-Press, 23 May 2013

Alarmism Makes for Poor Policy
Rep. Lamar Smith, Washington Post, 21 May 2013

Global Warming Revised Downward
Ron Bailey, Reason, 21 May 2013

Soaring Energy Costs Are Making Europeans Poor
Milton Catelin, EurActiv, 21 May 2013

Arctic Council Meeting Proves It’s a Circular World
Teresa Platt, National Center Blog, 17 May 2013

News You Can Use
Sequester Is Working

Due to the sequester, the Environmental Protection Agency furloughed nearly all its employees without pay for one day on May 24th. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) quipped to Politico that, “China will be unhappy if the EPA closes down on Friday. That’s fewer jobs that they’ll be getting from us.”

Inside the Beltway
Myron Ebell

Reid Delays Vote on McCarthy Nomination till July

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this week that confirmation votes on several of President Obama’s nominees for top positions, including Gina McCarthy for EPA Administrator, would be delayed until July.  Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters that he wasn’t sure that McCarthy and Labor Secretary nominee Thomas Perez had the sixty votes necessary to invoke cloture and proceed to a final vote. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Senator Durbin also speculated that, “Unless we start seeing a more co-operative atmosphere around here … there’s going to continue to be speculation about changing the rules.”  This refers to the so-called “nuclear option”—changing Senate rules so that confirmation votes cannot be blocked by a 41-vote minority.

Heritage Action for America has joined eleven other non-profit groups officially opposed to McCarthy’s confirmation.

Congressional Budget Office Kinda Likes a Carbon Tax

The Congressional Budget Office this week released a study on the “Effects of a Carbon Tax on the Economy and the Environment.”  CBO admits that a carbon tax would raise the costs of producing goods and services and raise consumer prices.  On the other hand, some of the negative effects could be offset by using the revenues generated to lower the federal deficit and to lower marginal rates of other damaging taxes, such as corporate and individual income taxes.

In terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the best the CBO can come up with is this: “Given the inherent uncertainty of predicting the effects of climate change, and the possibility that it could trigger catastrophic effects, lawmakers might view a carbon tax as a reflection of society’s willingness to pay to reduce the risk of potentially very expensive damage in the future.”

Professor Robert Murphy commented on the CBO study for the Institute for Energy Research here, and Dr. David Kreutzer of the Heritage Foundation posted his comment here.

Another contribution to the carbon tax debate from earlier in the month has just come to my attention.  On 2nd May, fifty-four trade groups sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee explaining why they are opposed to a carbon tax.  Attached to their letter is a study produced by NERA Consulting earlier this year for the National Association of Manufacturers that details the negative economic effects of a carbon tax. 

House Passes Keystone Pipeline Permitting Bill Again

The House of Representatives on 22nd May passed a bill to permit the Keystone XL Pipeline by a vote of 241 to 175. Only 19 Democrats voted for H. R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which is intended to put pressure on President Barack Obama to relent and grant the permit. The White House announced that the President would veto the bill if the Senate also passes it.  Sixty-two Senators, including 17 Democrats, voted for an amendment to their budget bill earlier this year approving the Keystone Pipeline from Canada’s oil sands to the U. S.

Boxer and Whitehouse Blame Republicans for Oklahoma Tornado

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) were quick to use the giant tornado that obliterated Moore, Oklahoma to chastise Republican members of Congress for failing to get on board the global warming bandwagon.  Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) noted that he has seen a lot of tornadoes during his lifetime in Oklahoma and called the attempt to make tawdry political points out of the Moore tragedy “outrageous” and “immoral.”

For the record, the Digest noted two weeks ago that tornado activity in the past twelve months had been the lowest in 60 years.  If the tornado that hit Moore can be attributed to global warming, then so too must the low level of activity across the U. S. in the past year.  Anthony Watts compiles the facts here, while James Delingpole tees off on Boxer in his Telegraph blog.   

Are House Republicans Going Green?

National Journal published an article in their 18th May issue titled, “The GOP Energy Tent Is Slowly Getting Bigger.”  Reporter Coral Davenport, who is a reliable promoter of environmentalist views, writes a puff piece on House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) efforts to add a green tinge to the House Republicans’ wardrobe. 

In the last Congress, McCarthy, who is number three in the Republican leadership, started the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) in order to develop messaging points for the 2012 election.  Now, he is trying to broaden HEAT’s messaging to include support for subsidies for renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.  That is no surprise: McCarthy is not a movement conservative, but he does have the country’s largest concentration of wind farms in his Bakersfield-area district.  McCarthy has received many major campaign contributions from the wind industry.

Davenport’s story includes a long quote praising McCarthy’s green turn: “‘I think it’s smart,’ Republican strategist John Feehery said of McCarthy’s new tactics. Republicans’ aggressive campaigning against Obama’s clean-energy agenda was ‘an overreaction,’ Feehery said. ‘It made us seem like enemies of the environment. The idea that government has absolutely no role, that the climate is absolutely not changing—it’s not smart,’ he said. ‘It’s also not smart if you’re talking about all the farmers in red states that make money off windmills. A lot of the base is there.’  Davenport does not mention that Feehery is a top lobbyist at Quinn Gillespie, who represents clients in the renewable energy industry and started a front group to lobby for the wind production tax credit and other subsidies called the Red State Renewables Alliance.

Across the States
Anthony Ward

Rich States, Poor States

The American Legislative Exchange Council this week released the latest version of its “Rich States, Poor States” report, which compares the economic performance of the fifty States.  It finds that eight of the top ten States for economic growth are controlled by Republican elected officials, while eight of the ten bottom States are controlled by Democrats.  Not co-incidentally, energy costs are lower in the States with the strongest growth.  Nine of the top ten States have lower electric rates that the average of the bottom ten.

Around the World
William Yeatman

Rising Energy Costs Focus of EU Leaders Summit

Leaders of European Union member states met for a summit meeting this week in Brussels, and rising energy costs were the primary topic of discussions. According to The Financial Times (subscription required), “a single, eye-popping chart that has been making the rounds in Brussels” depicting the fact that, since 2005, electricity prices in the EU have increased 37 per cent relative to those in the US, and almost 20 per cent higher than those in Japan. This is a notable development. Whenever previous summits addressed energy, it was always in the context of global warming alarmism, and how “de-carbonizing” the economy would create “green jobs.” This week’s summit is the first time that EU leaders have acknowledged the fact that global warming policies result in undesirable increases in the cost of energy.

New Study: Allowing Energy Exports Would Slash Deficit

More than two–thirds of America's $750 billion annual deficit can be eliminated if the Obama administration and Congress allow expanded drilling and energy exports, according to a report published this week by the Manhattan Institute. Click here to read “The Case for Exports: America’s Hydrocarbon Industry Can Revive the Economy and Eliminate the Trade Deficit,” by Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Mark Mills.

The Cooler Heads Digest is the weekly e-mail publication of the Cooler Heads Coalition. For the latest news and commentary, check out the Coalition’s website, www.GlobalWarming.org.

Fracknation - Fracking Battle Heats Up

Rival fracking documentaries to air on consecutive nights 

 

Hollywood, CA—Mark Cuban's AXS TV has announced it will air the controversial "pro-fracking" documentary FrackNation the night after HBO premieres Josh Fox's sequel to Gasland, the oscar nominated anti-fracking documentary. 

 

"We are delighted that AXS TV will show FrackNation the night after Gasland 2 premieres on HBO," said Phelim McAleer, director of FrackNation. "Now the people of America will be able to look at both sides of the story. More information about fracking will enable people to distinguish between scare stories and true stories."

 

The dueling documentaries will be aired in early July. Gasland 2 will premiere on July 8 and FrackNation will be on AXS TV on July 9. AXS TV is owned in part by Mark Cuban and the channel is available in 40 million homes. HBO has just under 30 million American subscriptions.

 

"I think FrackNation's journalism stands up against the scare stories of Gasland 2," said McAleer. "Now the American people can make up their own minds," he added.

 

According to Variety—the showbusiness bible—FrackNation "makes a good case against [Gasland]" and "debunks the famous Gasland scene of a fracking 'victim' setting his tap water on fire."

 

The broadcast is not the first time AXS TV has used a counter programming strategy. AXS first showed FrackNation on January 22 just as the Matt Damon's anti-fracking movie Promised Land was released in theaters. Mark Cuban said the counter programming was not a coincidence.

 

"Of course the timing is relevant,” Cuban told The Hollywood Reporter. “We want people talking and using #AXSTV when they watch and discuss it.”

 

After the screening The New York Times called FrackNation "meticulously researched" and said that “much of what it reveals is provocative.”

 

FrackNation has also been welcomed by farmers and landowners who say their lives and experiences have been misrepresented by Gasland and Josh Fox.

 

"Josh Fox made a film full of lies that hurt farmers and landowners who desperately need hope and a shot at a better future," said Dan Fitzsimmons, president of the Joint Landowners Coalition of NY. "FrackNation stands up for the truth, exposes those lies, and has helped restore hope to our 77,000 members. FrackNation shows the truth IS relevant."

FrackNation was funded on Kickstarter by 3,305 backers who donated $212,265 to investigate the truth about the fracking.

SEIA - New Report: Solar Energy Reduces Military Costs, Boosts Security, Saves Lives

WASHINGTON, DC -- In celebration of Armed Services Day, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a first-of-its-kind report detailing how innovative solar technologies are helping the U.S. military meet many of its critical functions – from security and battlefield readiness to cost savings and efficiency.

“Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy” shows solar energy’s growing role in powering military installations and military homes across the U.S.  As of early 2013, there are more than 130 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems powering Navy, Army and Air Force bases in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Just as importantly, solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in making the U.S. military’s energy supply more secure, more affordable and less reliant on often-times unstable foreign sources.

“America’s solar companies, which employ nearly 120,000 workers from coast to coast, are very proud of the contributions they’re making to help the men and women of the U.S. military to defend our nation,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO.  “Solar clearly is making a big difference – both on the front lines and in military installations from North Carolina to Hawaii.  Many of the technologies being used by the military today have been adapted for use from consumer products.”

In Afghanistan, for instance, U.S. troops in battle zones are using everything from portable solar panels to solar tent shields to cutting-edge, solar-powered security systems to help them successfully carry out critical missions. See photos of military solar uses here.

In recent years, the Pentagon has become increasingly concerned about an overdependence on fossil fuels.  Today, the military buys gas for just over $1 a gallon, but getting that gasoline to forward bases in Afghanistan costs more than $400 per gallon.

By utilizing more solar energy, military leaders say they are not only saving money, but potentially saving lives, too, since solar is helping to reduce the number of truck convoys needed to transport fuel, which are frequently the targets of attacks by insurgents or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  Over the past decade, there have been more than 3,300 U.S. casualties as a result of attacks on fuel convoys.

“Today, the Defense Department is one of the largest institutional users of solar energy in the world,” Resch added. “After using solar energy on military bases and in the field, many returning servicemen and servicewomen are finding great career opportunities at solar firms, which have been actively recruiting veterans.  Many other veterans have started firms of their own.”

In addition to its operational uses, solar energy is helping the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to rein in its massive energy bills. As the largest energy consumer in the world, the DOD faces a $20 billion energy bill each year. In response to increasing energy needs and shrinking budgets, the DOD has committed to meet 25 percent of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2025. The Navy, Army and Air Force are each implementing aggressive plans that are increasing investments in solar, which is expected to encourage even more innovation within the industry.

Today, the U.S. has 7,700 MW of installed solar electric capacity – enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes – and 40 percent of our existing capacity, or 3,300 MW, was installed last year alone, making solar one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.  America’s solar industry now employs nearly 120,000 workers at 5,600 companies – most of which are small businesses spread across every state in the union.

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Background Materials:
- “Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy,” May 17, 2013: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-powering-us-military-solar-energy
- Enlisting the Sun Fact Sheet: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-solar-military-fact-sheet
- Military Solar Photo Gallery: http://www.seia.org/news/press-support/enlisting-sun-photo-gallery
- Interactive Map of U.S. Solar-Powered Installations: http://www.seia.org/map/military-solar.php
- U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2012 Year in Review: www.seia.org/smi 
- The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012: www.thesolarfoundation.org/research/national-solar-jobs-census-2012 

FrackNation- Mark Ruffalo's Neighbors Invite Him to FrackNation Screening

Lake Huntington, NY--Mark Ruffalo's farming neighbors would like to publicly extend an invite to the Hollywood anti-fracking celebrity:

Dear Mark Ruffalo,

You're cordially invited to attend the May 8 screening of FrackNation in Lake Huntington and participate in a Q&A afterward. 

This will be a great way for us to meet and exchange ideas about fracking.

Sincerely,

- Your Neighbors

 

Ruffalo will have the opportunity to participate in an open dialogue with the other residents of Sullivan County who organized the screening. It's being hosted by Sullivan Delaware Property Owners Association, the Bethel Property Owners Coalition, and the Joint Landowners Coalition of NY.

"I'm delighted that the residents of Sullivan County invited me to speak at this screening," said Phelim McAleer, director of FrackNation. "I think Mark Ruffalo may be surprised to hear what his farming neighbors have to say. They have educated and informed themsevles. Mark just might learn something."

 

The Sullivan County residents hope the Q&A is a chance for Ruffalo to hear their side of the story about fracking--not just the side presented in the now throughly debunked documentary Gasland.

"If Ruffalo is interested in the truth, then he better talk to his farming neighbors," said McAleer. "But is he interested in what they have to say? Or is he just interested in the opinions of urban elites like Susan Sarandon and Yoko Ono? I guess we'll find out on May 8."

Details:

May 8, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Sullivan West High School
Auditorium
6604 State Rt 52
Lake Huntington, NY 12752

"Pro-Fracking" Filmmaker Brings Doc to NY & PA

Pennsylvania & New York Welcome Controversial "Pro-Fracking" Filmmaker

Hollywood, CA--Phelim McAleer, director of controversial "pro-fracking" documentary FrackNation, will speak at four screenings of the film in Pennsylvania & New York in early May. 

 

"It's exciting to bring FrackNation to the very heart of the fracking debate," said McAleer. "And in New York, where a never-ending moratorium is driving the state deeper into a recession, some people badly need to hear the facts about fracking."

 

FrackNation investigates the claims of HBO's documentary Gasland and finds that many of the scare stories are exaggerated or simply false. The New York Times called FrackNation "meticulously researched" and said that “much of what it reveals is provocative.”

McAleer attended the premiere of Gasland 2 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. But after he asked difficult questions of Josh Fox during a red carpet photo shoot, Tribeca staff refused entry to McAleer and a group of pro-fracking farmers even though everyone had tickets.

"They want 'controversy,' but only of the kind they agree with, and it can only come from people who look and sound like them," McAleer said in a New York Post article. "The rest of America can just stay on the sidewalk." 

 

McAleer will speak at screenings in Jamestown NY, Franklin PA, Warren PA, and Lake Huntington NY. For more information about times and registration information, please visit FrackNation.com/Screenings.