A Tale of Two Years and Two Worlds

A Tale of 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

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And Another One Bites the Dust

Enviva 2023

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.

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Kemper Whistleblower – It’s Not Me

Kemper Whistleblower

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. 

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A Conversation with Mark Mills on the Future of Energy

Mark Mills Vimeo

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.

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Should Entergy’s Customers Pay More for Less?

Entergy Sunflower Solar Station

Entergy Mississippi is an electric utility. It has a legal monopoly in 45 counties with almost 400,000 residential customers (households). It is regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC has allowed Entergy to increase rates for these customers 32% over the last three years. Why? Should customers pay even more for less?

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BPF Book Review of Alex Epstein’s “Fossil Future”

Book Review of 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.

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Coincidences, Conspiracies and Occam’s Razor

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.

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Cashier in the Coal Mine

Thomas Edison's Dynamo

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%.

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Energy Reality vs. Wishful Thinking

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.

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Virtuous Madness

Energy 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.

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