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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BPF Book Review of Alex Epstein’s “Fossil Future”
Fossil Future is chock full of data, charts and anecdotes telling in great detail the roles fossil fuels played in creating today’s cornucopia of abundance. Especially compelling are the “hockey-stick” charts that reveal the close correlation between the development of hydrocarbons and the dramatic rise of world GDP, world population, world life expectancy and human flourishing.
Coincidences, Conspiracies and Occam’s Razor
We could use more facts and less speculation today about Covid, energy, climate, other issues and related policy mistakes and crimes. And, less government and social media censorship, manipulated data and demonization of independent thinkers who question government narratives. And, who also expose mistakes and hidden agendas.
Expensive Electricity and Blackouts
What raises electric rates and causes blackouts? Too many windmills and solar panels. What causes too many windmills and solar panels? Federal subsidies. What’s the latest and biggest perverse federal subsidy? The “Inflation Reduction Act.”
Cashier in the Coal Mine
Coal is still the primary fuel used for generating electricity worldwide with a market share of 36.7%. In the U.S., coal’s share is 21.8%, which ranks second to natural gas at 38.3%.
Energy Reality vs. Wishful Thinking
In reality, electricity from solar and wind (renewable energy) can supplement energy from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal). But thinking it can replace fossil fuels is wishful thinking. Why? Because renewables are intermittent (sporadic). Solar panels generate electricity about 30% of the time on average. But they may not generate any electricity for days. Same for windmills.
Virtuous Madness
The U.S. also has energy shortages, but they haven’t caused electricity rationing yet. Just higher prices for electricity, gasoline, natural gas, food, and other essentials. Mississippi is also infected with the madness.