Environmentalist Michael Shellenberger explains:
"In 2021, greenhouse emissions in the U.S. increased mostly because of increased coal use, not because of higher economic growth. Why? Because natural gas became more expensive. Why? Because of inadequate supply. Why? Chronic 'under-investment' *** in production & pipelines, thanks to ESG (Environment Social Government) & climate activists,'" he wrote recently.
***Government activism in denying sources of oil drilling, natural gas fracking and pipelines discourages prudent investment by the energy sector. This can only result in rising energy prices.
Stephen Moore - The Federalist
The Energy Department data confirms that in 2021, coal use rose in the U.S. and natural gas consumption fell. That was because Biden's Green New Deal agenda made coal a more attractive alternative in terms of costs.
More evidence rolls in from the rest of the world. Germany has acknowledged that it will burn more coal in the years ahead to get cheap power. But they aren't going to get much of it from the U.S. Rather, they'll get it from China, which has tripled its coal output and doesn't care at all about whether its increased production will negatively affect the environment. China has among the laxest environmental laws in the world. So none of this is stopping climate change.
China has been one of the biggest winners from the Biden war on energy. The second winner is Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who is waltzing to the bank. Russia has made $100 billion selling oil and gas to the U.S. and others at inflated prices.
We are simply displacing West Virginia and Pennsylvania coal miners with Chinese mining. We need coal in our energy mix, as even the Germans now admit.
Then there is the collateral damage of $100 billion of lost annual output in the U.S. because of the anti-energy climate change agenda. Again, none of this makes any sense. Why are we sacrificing our own economic opportunities and handing them to China on a silver platter?
No comments:
Post a Comment