Thomas Tanton
Commentary
Energy freedom is crux of solution to economic woes
Washington. The maxim states that the simplest solution is usually the correct one. And America’s financial crisis is no exception to the rule. Overwhelmed by bailout plans and other convoluted proposals, many of our nation’s leaders are missing the obvious answer to our economic woes: energy freedom. For that reason, ...
Thomas Tanton
April 16, 2009
Commentary
Oil drilling will stimulate our state economy
On Thursday, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will hold a public hearing in San Francisco on the future of expanded development of America’s vast energy resources. At stake will be whether continued, or expanded, offshore petroleum production will be allowed. While the topic can be made complex, it affords ...
Thomas Tanton
April 15, 2009
Environment
Cap and Trade in the Western States
In a review of the claims made by the Western Climate Initiative, the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston identified several flaws made by the seven-state consortium, calling into question claimed cost savings ranging between $11.4 billion and $23.5 billion. These flaws render WCI’s projections useless in determining ...
Thomas Tanton
March 23, 2009
Climate Change
CA Nightmare: Worsening State’s Fiscal Crisis Through Bad Climate Policy
I have spent my entire 35 year professional life developing and implementing energy policies vital to our state. So it pains me to now see California taking an unfortunate misstep: embracing participation in the Western Climate Initiative. WCI, developed by seven U.S. states (California is joined by Oregon, Washington, Utah, ...
Thomas Tanton
March 5, 2009
Climate Change
Californians Ascend to National Power
As the Barack Obama administration takes the reins on energy policy, Californians such as Lawrence-Berkeley National Lab Director Steven Chu, ascending to Department of Energy secretary, and Rep. Henry Waxman, becoming chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, are set to have great influence at the national level. The ...
Thomas Tanton
March 1, 2009
Environment
Cost of Gasoline to Rise?
According to the report, in recent months corn ethanol producers have faced a number of financial setbacks, including at least one highly visible bankruptcy. Although greater use of ethanol is mandated by federal law, the industry is suffering from over capacity, and struggling to compete in an environment of falling ...
Thomas Tanton
February 24, 2009
Environment
Really Such A Bright Idea?
Let’s talk CFL, or compact flourescent lights. As I pointed out in the 2007 Lights On survey of California energy policy, and in testimony in 2007 to the Georgia Public Service Commission, DSM rose to regulatory prominence during the 1980s,…everybody was open to other approaches to meet future energy demand. ...
Thomas Tanton
February 24, 2009
California
A Bad Message from California on Offshore Drilling
As I posted at the Pacific Research Institute website, the California State Lands Commission (SLC) has rejected a proposal that would have led to the first new oil drilling project off the California coast in 40 years. On January 29, the panel voted 2-1 against Plains Exploration & Production Company’s ...
Thomas Tanton
February 7, 2009
Environment
Just What is the Message?
According to various sources, including his own own campaign website, Garamendi, argued strongly that the plan would “signal” that California wants to open offshore drilling and supporters would push for more oil exploration on the West Coast. “I refuse to let this lease move forward,” Garamendi said. “Approving a drilling ...
Thomas Tanton
February 2, 2009
Climate Change
California Board Approves Anti-Global Warming Plan
The California Air Resources Board has set a powerful regulatory force in motion by approving an outline for meeting the carbon dioxide reductions required by a state law aimed at combating global warming. The outline, known as a “scoping plan,” is required by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. ...
Thomas Tanton
February 1, 2009
Energy freedom is crux of solution to economic woes
Washington. The maxim states that the simplest solution is usually the correct one. And America’s financial crisis is no exception to the rule. Overwhelmed by bailout plans and other convoluted proposals, many of our nation’s leaders are missing the obvious answer to our economic woes: energy freedom. For that reason, ...
Oil drilling will stimulate our state economy
On Thursday, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will hold a public hearing in San Francisco on the future of expanded development of America’s vast energy resources. At stake will be whether continued, or expanded, offshore petroleum production will be allowed. While the topic can be made complex, it affords ...
Cap and Trade in the Western States
In a review of the claims made by the Western Climate Initiative, the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston identified several flaws made by the seven-state consortium, calling into question claimed cost savings ranging between $11.4 billion and $23.5 billion. These flaws render WCI’s projections useless in determining ...
CA Nightmare: Worsening State’s Fiscal Crisis Through Bad Climate Policy
I have spent my entire 35 year professional life developing and implementing energy policies vital to our state. So it pains me to now see California taking an unfortunate misstep: embracing participation in the Western Climate Initiative. WCI, developed by seven U.S. states (California is joined by Oregon, Washington, Utah, ...
Californians Ascend to National Power
As the Barack Obama administration takes the reins on energy policy, Californians such as Lawrence-Berkeley National Lab Director Steven Chu, ascending to Department of Energy secretary, and Rep. Henry Waxman, becoming chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, are set to have great influence at the national level. The ...
Cost of Gasoline to Rise?
According to the report, in recent months corn ethanol producers have faced a number of financial setbacks, including at least one highly visible bankruptcy. Although greater use of ethanol is mandated by federal law, the industry is suffering from over capacity, and struggling to compete in an environment of falling ...
Really Such A Bright Idea?
Let’s talk CFL, or compact flourescent lights. As I pointed out in the 2007 Lights On survey of California energy policy, and in testimony in 2007 to the Georgia Public Service Commission, DSM rose to regulatory prominence during the 1980s,…everybody was open to other approaches to meet future energy demand. ...
A Bad Message from California on Offshore Drilling
As I posted at the Pacific Research Institute website, the California State Lands Commission (SLC) has rejected a proposal that would have led to the first new oil drilling project off the California coast in 40 years. On January 29, the panel voted 2-1 against Plains Exploration & Production Company’s ...
Just What is the Message?
According to various sources, including his own own campaign website, Garamendi, argued strongly that the plan would “signal” that California wants to open offshore drilling and supporters would push for more oil exploration on the West Coast. “I refuse to let this lease move forward,” Garamendi said. “Approving a drilling ...
California Board Approves Anti-Global Warming Plan
The California Air Resources Board has set a powerful regulatory force in motion by approving an outline for meeting the carbon dioxide reductions required by a state law aimed at combating global warming. The outline, known as a “scoping plan,” is required by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. ...