February 24, 2010
Congratulations to Sen. Rockefeller for his leadership with 10 Senators last year who expressed early opposition to the cap and trade energy tax scheme.
George Allen, Chairman
Environmental Protection Agency takes heat on climate ruleCongress makes U.S. energy policy
Sen. Rockefeller’s warning letter to the Obama EPA is long overdueWest Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller led a group of coal state senators in warning the head of the Environmental Protection Agency that Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, will make comprehensive energy and climate legislation.
As chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Rockefeller said in a press release that he is drafting legislation to suspend the EPA’s regulatory authority until Congress can consider “the nation’s larger energy policy and economic needs.”
The EPA, using the Clean Air Act, issued a determination that greenhouse gases could reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare – the first step in the rule-making process.
In a letter signed also by Democratic Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Carl Levin of Michigan, Mark Begich of Alaska and Max Baucus of Montana, Rockefeller wrote:
“We strongly believe this is ultimately Congress’ responsibility, and if done properly, will create jobs, spur new clean energy industries, and greatly advance the goal of U.S. energy independence. If done improperly, these opportunities could be lost.”
The EPA recently listed carbon dioxide, methane and other gases as endangering the public.
Congress, not the EPA, should deal with those questions, said the coal-state senators.
In a recession that has killed trillions in wealth and millions of jobs, ill-considered environmental regulation is the last thing Americans need.
Rockefeller is correct.
Members of Congress, elected by and accountable to their constituents, have the responsibility for determining how to regulate carbon dioxide and other gases.
But talk is cheap.
If the Obama administration proceeds on its own, West Virginia expects its senators to block that move.
February 24, 2010
The Gov. Barbour petition is another example of Governors opposing EPA.
Republicans, major business groups and a handful of coal-state Democrats are launching a barrage of attacks against the Environmental Protection Agency, hoping to stop new rules that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions across the economy.
Read more.
Governor Allen On Mark Levin ShowFebruary 23, 2010
You can listen to Governor Allen’s appearance on Mark Levin’s show last night by clicking the below link and going to the 91:30 mark: [click here to listen]
February 22, 2010
Very little foreign oil – or any oil – is used for generating electricity. Thus, talking about reducing dependence on foreign oil by subsidizing nuclear power plants doesn’t directly correlate unless advocating batteries for ground transportation.
Enormously costly capital intensive Nuclear is a more reliable source for electricity than the expensive intermittent sources of wind and solar. But beware that electricity sourced by nuclear is significantly more expensive than power from hydroelectric and clean coal technology sources.
Maybe that’s why this Administration continues its attack on our plentiful, job-creating American coal via proposed draconian EPA regulations, harmful cap and trade energy tax schemes, and UN Climate change regulations.
A few months ago, didn’t this Administration say they were against energy subsidies? And they have shut down the national radioactive waste repository in Nevada. Thus, all nuclear reactor sites will continue to store high level radioactive waste. We must allow reprocessing and recycling of spent radioactive fuel a la the French if nuclear is to maintain or expand its desirability in the US.
The bottom line: Notwithstanding subsidies, our American coal remains the best job creating, most affordable and reliable source for electricity, And coal is available as a source throughout the US and world.
-George Allen
LOCAL FIRM SEALS DEALS TO CHARGE ELECTRIC CARSFebruary 13, 2010
The Obama administration’s planned loan guarantee to build the first nuclear power plant in the U.S in almost three decades is part of a broad shift in energy strategy to lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce the use of other fossil fuels blamed for global warming.
Ben Feller
President Barack Obama called for “a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants” in his Jan. 27 State of the Union speech and followed that by proposing to triple loan guarantees for new nuclear plants. He wants to use nuclear power and other alternative sources of energy in his effort to shift energy policy.
Associated Press
Obama in the coming week will announce the loan guarantee to build the nuclear power plant, an administration official said Friday. The two new Southern Co. reactors to be built in Burke, Ga., are part of a White House energy plan that administration officials hope will draw Republican support.
Obama nuke plant loan reflects new energy strategy
CLICK HERE to continue reading.
January 18, 2010
Batteries are the most practical alternative propulsion for ground transportation, particularly for commuters. While government taxpayer subsidies may not make fiscal sense, it is good to see the technical progress in faster battery re-charging capabilities developed by an entrepreneurial Albemarle County, Virginia company.
By Bryan McKenzie
The Charlottesville Daily ProgressDrivers around the country and the world will be getting a charge out of Albemarle County-based Aker Wade Power Technologies, if the company has anything to say about it. The manufacturer of fast-charge devices used to repower forklifts and other battery-operated equipment in manufacturing plants and industry has entered into an agreement with Japanese carmakers and power companies to build quick-charge devices for electric cars.
Read the full article at the Charlottesville Daily Progress.
Let us know your thoughts on American energy. Comment below.
I think Al Gore needs to invest in some really speedy running shoes! I keep wondering if he can be prosecuted for perpetrating a fraud upon the American people. He’s a liar. I’m sick about the damage he has done to how Americans are viewed in the world.
I favor former Governor Palin’s energy ideas. Clean coal, natural gas and start drilling for oil of our own. And certainly the United States of America owes NO ONE money for the agreements drawn up in Copenhagen. I did not agree to this use of tax dollars. Who did Obama think he was up there promising away our dollars for unsubstantiated carbon footprints. Here’s a footprint up your behind sir.
Drill Baby Drill.
Grief – we are being scared over every little
thing from Tsunami, schools lock down, climate, ’severe’ weather every time it rains
This is manipulation city. Yet we hear little
about the real problems- like why health costs go up and up but nobody explains what the causes are. Or why the Credit Default Swap market increased by 500 times in 10 years.
Also, for intermittent energy – it might make
more sense to bring the work to where the
windmills are than trying to connect them to
the grid, and ditto for solar.