Yes, again it is the season to expect higher energy costs during global cooling, but here in the South it may be a toss-up between air-conditioning vs. heating costs. Anyway, all will be higher than necessary in North Carolina thanks to “onerous regulations imposed on utility companies in 2007 by the state legislature.” So says Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation VP for research in the fall issue of “The Locke Letter.” (www.JohnLocke.org)
Dr. Cordato is a bit steamed over the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard—as should be all N. C. energy consumers.
The Dishonorables stuck us with higher energy bills by tithing our money to the worship of Gaea, the goddess of the earth. This false ideology demands that we all sacrifice for a questionable theory with unknown benefits. Manmade “global warming” created by government operatives, supported by pseudo-science and promoted by the media runs on faith, not reality.
Faithful followers mandated an energy “Standard” that requires electric utilities to allot 7.5 percent of their power sold to customers come from wind, solar and biomass sources. These nonbusiness industries must be heavily subsidized, but still cost three to four times more than natural gas or coal. And it gets worse.
I’ve noticed the increased pressure from our utility company to sign us up for programs that promote energy “efficiencies.” That’s because the law additionally mandates 5 percent reduced consumption “through forced energy-efficiency measures,” writes Dr. Cordato.
Cordato cites more disturbing statistics. Jobs will be lost, tax revenues will be reduced and we’ll be subsidizing new inefficient wind and solar facilities with tax credits. The ultimate insult from this punishing bill comes in a study by the Beacon Hill Institute; we energy customers will pay an extra $1.8 billion directly in utility bills by 2021—money for which we all have better use. This taxing law passed with no analysis of cost-benefit and no known environmental benefit.
But we must sacrifice to appease the environmental gods and fund their earthly temples. The least our legislators should do is to allow us charitable deductions for this expense on our income tax returns.
Read full article » No Comments »The StarNews Titan story in an of itself isn’t bad, but not providing the entire truth is.
A study commissioned by the N.C. Coastal Federation suggests that the economic impacts of a proposed cement plant might differ greatly from what was originally suggested to New Hanover County officials. ”More than likely, based on averages, there will be fewer people hired than originally expected, and the average salary will be lower,” said Craig Galbraith, a professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Cameron School of Business.
If you just read the entire story, you’d think the study was an objective third party view of the pending Titan Cement plant in Wilmington. At no point does the story mention that the Coastal Federation has been opposed to the Titan plan since day one. That doesn’t mean the study isn’t worthy of a story, but some degree of objectivity should be expected. A simple perusal of the Coastal Federation’s website shows a clear level of disdain for Titan.
The story says that the average salaries won’t be in the $75k range but rather in the $63k range and asserts that only 138, not 160 jobs would be created. At no point does anyone say that 138 jobs with a $63k average salary would be a good thing.
Again, the point isn’t that the Coastal Federation shouldn’t have done their study or that it wasn’t worthy of print, but that the StarNews should at least show some balance in their coverage and be honest with their readers about the biases of those doing the study.
They would be critical of a pro-oil study done by the Petroleum Institute, or admit that a Locke Foundation story has a conservative bias. But alas, integrity is fleeting in the local media. And you didn’t see this in the StarNews either because it would not fit the negative narrative:
Titan America And Wildlife Habitat Council
TROUTVILLE, Va., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Wildlife Habitat Council certified both of Titan America’s plants — Roanoke Cement Company near Roanoke, VA and the Pennsuco Complex in Medley, FL – for their “Wildlife At Work” programs last week at the Hilton Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. The prestigious distinction was awarded as a result of each plant’s demonstrated commitment towards long-term wildlife habitat enhancement efforts.
