Energy Realism this past week focused on bloated climate spending and offered some areas where progress is being made. Rick Perry and Jason Isaac examine how the Biden administration is frantically trying to erase Trump-era regulatory reforms at all costs, having no regard for their actual benefit to the American people. The latest red-tape gambit, a hasty and misguided attempt to delay and ultimately undo a major permitting reform, is not only bad policy it is a violation of the public’s trust. Steve Milloy follows by arguing against the new $1 trillion infrastructure bill, just more bureaucratic grift. Do you really think anybody read the 2,700 pages? And if you are thinking a summary would help, think again. Senate Democrats released a summary that covers only about 40% of the bill’s spending. Yet, Bruce Yandle does believe that President Biden’s electric car goals could eventually be a positive for America’s unions. While questions do remain, top leaders from Ford, GM, and Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler), along with environmentalists and governors, were prominently invited to share in the president’s recent announcement. And to close us out, Heather Reams reports that it is actually Republicans leading on climate solutions. For those who have not paid close attention, polls over the last decade have shown a steady shift among conservative voters on the issue. In fact, a study backed by her organization earlier this year found that more than two-thirds of GOP voters surveyed believe that human activity contributes to climate change. Essential Reading Heath et al., European Corporate Governance Institute This study finds that SRI funds select firms with higher environmental and social standards: the firms they hold exhibit lower pollution, greater board diversity, higher employee satisfaction, higher workplace safety, and fewer customer complaints. Yet, there is no evidence that SRI funds improve firm behavior. In the News CNBC AP Irina Slav, Oil Price Sam DeMarco, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review David Blackmon, Forbes Jakob Puckett, National Review AP Phil Flynn, Fox Business Rachel Frazin, The Hill Tom Standage, The Guardian Jason Plautz, Utility Dive Hellenic Shipping News Michael Ruiz, Fox News Fred Lambert, Electrek Hamilton Nolan, The Guardian Centre for Independent Studies Will 2021 be a transformational year for tackling climate change? In November, the UN climate negotiations [COP-26] will be held in Glasgow. According to the conventional wisdom, thi... Energy Policy Watch A majority of Americans favor pipelines and the intensity of that support is increasing, said AOPL President and CEO Andy Black during this wide-ranging discussion on pipeline safety... ABC News Plus, the Department of Justice launches an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the White House fires back at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over COVID precautions. Green Knight Trading Tesla has a big problem: their electric cars keep catching on fire, in the U.S. and around the world. Kite & Key Media There’s way too much plastic in the world’s oceans—which has led for calls to ban plastic on land. But that misses an important detail: the problem isn’t plastic waste itself—it’s ho... |