Forget the politics – it’s pure economics. Moving beyond the argument of whether or not global warming is myth or reality, there is a definite consensus on how much businesses and taxpayers must shell out to support the viability of the green industry. Global warming alarmists are not so much ideological activists as they are bottom-line number runners looking to secure their slice of the pie – or their piece of the green.
Here’s an all-too-familiar scenario: use taxpayer dollars to subsidize renewable energy businesses that ultimately fail and cost taxpayers quite a bit of money – that is, Solyndra, A123 Systems, Abound Solar, ReVolt Technologie – among others.
In his article Global Warming Meets Economic Reality, Dr. Warren Beatty, brings the argument closer to home, explaining why Southern Californians will face higher electric bills beginning in the new year.
Excerpted from the AmericanThinker.com – But whatever the case may be, here is where global warming meets economic reality. This article focuses upon California, always a national trend-setter.
Almost 5 million Southern California Edison (SCE) Co. customers will face higher electric bills early next year, and larger rate increases in each of the next two years. SCE was granted a 5.5 percent rate increase for 2012, with rate increases of 6.3 percent in 2013 and 5.9 percent in 2014. SCE says that the increase will add an average of $7 to the typical residential bill for the first year.
It is very interesting to note that SCE is highly regulated by The California Public Utilities Commission. Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon said, “This decision ensures that SCE is able to invest in smart energy systems, renewables and safety and reliability, while its ratepayers are protected.”
Businesses complained that the increase in electric rates could make it harder for them to keep operating profitably. Said Gino Di Caro, a spokesman for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association:
“California manufacturers already pay 50% higher electricity rates than the national average. Obviously, energy costs are one of the primary budgetary items for any manufacturing operation, and this is all the more reason for California to find ways to offset these costs.”
What’s even more shameful is that California is currently sitting on oil reserves estimated to be four times the size of the Baaken field that has brought economic prosperity to North Dakota. But, thanks to California’s green and renewable energy mandates, those oil reserves are very unlikely to be tapped. But, hey, California’s unemployment rate fell from 10.6 percent in August 2012, to “only” 10.2 percent in September. What’s a few Americans out of work in order to forward green energy policies and advance California’s and Obama’s agendas?
My personal opinion: I find it very difficult to believe that the rather small percentage (0.0389%) of carbon dioxide (CO2) can cause global warming, especially when there are other factors (such as sunspots and solar flares) that can cause global warming as well. So, for what it’s worth, count me among those who think that global warming is a hoax. Besides, Peter Ferrara, in a Forbes article, wrote about attending (and participating in) the Heartland Institute’s seventh International Climate Change Conference. The conference conclusion: the earth is actually cooling.
But that’s just my opinion.
– Read more of this article by Dr. Warren Beatty at the AmericanThinker.com.
