Mississippi’s Electric Grid Stability
BPF follows, analyzes and comments on the latest Mississippi legislative session striving to inform Mississippians on its views regarding public policies that benefit or cause harm to our economic condition.
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A Tale of Two Years and Two Worlds
Charles Dickens put it well 165 years ago, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…” This is an apt metaphor for the stock market and the world in 2023 and perhaps for 2024 as well. Last year saw seven magnificent technology stocks promising glorious productivity gains from Artificial Intelligence (AI) lead the S&P 500 to dramatic double-digit returns
And Another One Bites the Dust
Enviva has been in the news lately. Mongabay News reported a company whistleblower (they’re everywhere) says the company’s green claims are fraudulent. The claims also defy common sense. But so do solar plants that supply electricity 25% of the time when it’s needed 24-7-365. Hey, you’re not supposed to ask if green energy makes common sense or economic sense. Just pretend it does.
Kemper Whistleblower – It’s Not Me
Mississippi Power’s Kemper County Lignite Plant boondoggle is in the news again. A whistleblower named Kelli Williams (no relation) says company officials lied to get $382 million of federal money for the $7.5 billion failed experiment. She’s suing Mississippi Power and its Southern Company parent under the False Claims Act. She’s seeking $1.1 billion in treble damages.
A Conversation with Mark Mills on the Future of Energy
We delve deep into the complex world of energy with expert Mark Mills of the Manhattan Institute as he debunks myths and shines a light on the future. From the realities of electric vehicles to the impact of green energy on the mining industry, we cover it all.
How Are Hospitals and Electric Utilities Alike?
Both are regulated monopolies. Government monopolies. Patients and customers are denied the benefits of competition. Patients have fewer choices and get government medicine. Customers get more expensive and less reliable electricity.
Do You Want Your Electricity On or Green?
Solar’s intermittency is a problem for the grid that connects plants that generate electricity and customers that use it. The grid doesn’t store electricity. So the customer’s demand for electricity must be in balance with the supply of electricity from the plants that generate it. Otherwise, the grid destabilizes and bad things happen (e.g., rolling brownouts, blackouts, and even grid failure).