Printed on 1/12/12
It may seem hard to be optimistic, given the current political climate that continues to choke off our access to affordable and abundant energy, but this hearing gave me a substantial hope that it is possible for us to have much brighter days ahead. The supplies are there. The technology is there. The energy producers are anxious to move forward. I am also convinced that most citizens understand this situation. All we have left is to apply enough heat to the politicians who are standing in our way.
I am currently working on producing a DVD of the entire hearing and hopefully we can also get this discussion up on the web. These tools can help get the word out that there is a better way than the current Colorado state administration's way.
One final note for this "executive summary" of the energy hearing. On the very morning of the hearing the Rocky Mountain News ran a story concerning Excel Energy' s plans to shut down two coal-fired electrical plants as a step toward meeting the state's renewable energy standards for electric utilities! This is a clear example of the madness the current administration is pursuing. Unrealistic and scientifically untenable state mandates will not move us toward energy solutions. It is making bad matters even worse. We must set our eyes on the goal of developing energy security with more energy, local energy, and affordable energy.
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James Taylor, of the Heartland Institute began the hearing with a clear refutation of the connection of CO2 with climate changes. There is little, if any, evidence that anthropogenic CO2 is the cause of global warming, and even less support fot the alarmist's claims of cataclysmic global warming. Despite the loud and expensive PR campaign to promote the global warming theory, there is no consensus among qualified scientists.
Stanley Lewandowski, General Manager of Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) agreed that CO2 is not the problem. The problem is government renewable energy standards and regulations are driving the cost of electricity higher and higher. IREA has been keeping prices stable for many years, but they are now facing increasing costs that must be passed on to their customers. He also observed that Al Gore's call for a conversion to renewable energy in ten years is "ridiculous".
John Harpole, from Mercator Energy, LLC told us that, due to new technology, U.S. proven gas reserves have increased from under 200 trillion cubic feet to 800 to 900 trillion cubic feet in the past few years. Colorado energy policies are clamping down Colorado's energy producing prospects. Global warming alarmists are wrong in their assumptions and are making matters much worse.
Peg Rector, of Environmentally Conscious Consumers for Oil Shale said that oil production from oil shale is still several years off, but the incredible reserves we have here in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming are several times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. As a former mayor and county commissioner from the Western Slope, she is convinced that oil shale can be safely and economically produced. The only real question is whether government regulations will allow the production of oil shale. Currently Congress has refused to develop oil shale regulations, which is holding back the industry's timelines to develop our oil shale resources.
Mitch Mandich, CEO of Range Fuels described their process for converting wood to ethanol. It is a different process than the grain based ethanol production and holds the prospect of creating a new renewable fuel source for our nation. They are based in Colorado, but their first production facility will be in Georgia.
Tom Peterson, of Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association explained that the high cost of oil is putting a pinch on asphalt supplies and has in part caused the Colorado Department of Transportation to cancel or slow down many of their road projects this year.
George Glasier, of Energy Fuels Resources told us that Colorado has significant uranium deposits, primarily on the Western Slope. He described the potential and safety of their mining systems. Nuclear energy could be greatly expanded in the U.S. and we have the resources to make that a reality.
Bob Ferguson, of the Science and Public Policy Institute concluded the morning session with several observations (including the data to back up the observations):
There is no evidence of anthropogenic global warming in Colorado.
Even if one accepts all the dire predictions of the global warming alarmists, no effort on Colorado's part could yield any meaningful change to global warming.
There is no scientific consensus on global warming.
The global warming driven policies are a threat to our freedoms and will create a significant hardship for the poor, in this country and around the world.
Energy growth is essential for economic growth.
The term "a new-energy economy" is political-speak for a no-energy economy.
Dr. Howard Hayden, Author of "A Primer on CO2 and Climate" and former physics professor with the University of Connecticut, discussed common falicies for renewable energy systems. In essence, he said that renewables have a role to play, but the reality is that they are still far too expensive and impractical to totally replace conventional energy sources for many years to come.
Scott Moore, of Anadarko Energy Services Company told us that Colorado is a significant gas producing state. The greatest risk the industry faces is uncertainty in the tax and regulatory environment here in Colorado. The limitation is not supply as much as it is Federal and state regulations. Colorado's proposed oil and gas regulations will severly limit energy development in the state. The $320 million tax on the November ballot will give Colorado the second highest tax rate for OIl and gas in the nation. This, along with the regulatory environment, will drive some of the oil and gasindustry out of the state.
Mark Kelly, of the Heritage Foundation said that Federal policy limits our energy production and drives up the price at the pump.
Renewables are still only a fraction of what we need and will not replace traditional energy for decades.
Cap and Trade policies will not affect the climate, but it will be a crushing blow to our economy and will drive up the cost of energy even higher.
Amy Oliver, of the Independence Institute, discussed the principles of free market policies and the Independence Institute's committment to promote sound economic policies.
James Taylor, of the Heartland Institute, joined the panel with Amy and Mark. He reiterated the need for a free market approach to truly optimise our energy resources.
Bishop Phillip Porter spoke for Colorado Consumers for Affordable Energy. He explained that high energy prices are most destructive to the poor. He called on the governor to immediately order a special session of the legislature to deal with this growing crisis.
The legislative panel included Representative Frank McNulty, Representative Cory Gardner, and Senator Josh Penry. They called for laws that give realistic and stable regulations for the energy industry. We need an open and full debate on the merits of our energy needs and reources and the global warming theory. Several legislative measures were discussed, including a resolution where the legislature can fully debate this issue and take a clear stand for developing the energy resources we have here in Colorado.
Princella Smith, of American Solutions was delayed by a late flight, but was able to speak at the end of the hearing. American Solutions, run by former U.S, House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, is keenly aware of our need for energy production. They launched the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less campaign. Ms Smith emphasised that this is not just an economic matter. It is also a matter of national security.
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Energy Hearing
Home / The Issues / Global Warming
On Thursday, August 21, the Republican Study Committee of Colorado (RSCC) conducted an ad-hoc hearing that I organized on the energy issue at the Colorado state capitol building in the Old Supreme Court Chambers. The hearing was called: "Colorado's Energy Crisis: New Energy Economy or No Energy Economy?"
With our abundance of energy resources, Colorado is positioned to be a leader in energy production. The people of Colorado could turn this current "energy crisis" into a bonanza of good jobs and economic prosperity. Unfortunately the Ritter administration is only committed to developing renewable energy, which is but a small piece of our potential energy sources and they are dragging their feet in capitalizing on all of the other energy resources in this great state.
This day long event examined all of the sources of energy we have. Oil and gas, coal, nuclear, ethanol, solar, wind, and oil shale were discussed from the perspective of how we can best utilize every resource to establish national energy security. The hearing focused on the incredible opportunities before us and considered the relative merits of using centralized government control to develop the energy sector or allowing the free-market to determine the best and most efficient use of our energy resources.
This was a significant fact finding session that gave the people of Colorado real-world solutions for one of the most important challenges facing our state and our nation.
With our abundance of energy resources, Colorado is positioned to be a leader in energy production. The people of Colorado could turn this current "energy crisis" into a bonanza of good jobs and economic prosperity. Unfortunately the Ritter administration is only committed to developing renewable energy, which is but a small piece of our potential energy sources and they are dragging their feet in capitalizing on all of the other energy resources in this great state.
This day long event examined all of the sources of energy we have. Oil and gas, coal, nuclear, ethanol, solar, wind, and oil shale were discussed from the perspective of how we can best utilize every resource to establish national energy security. The hearing focused on the incredible opportunities before us and considered the relative merits of using centralized government control to develop the energy sector or allowing the free-market to determine the best and most efficient use of our energy resources.
This was a significant fact finding session that gave the people of Colorado real-world solutions for one of the most important challenges facing our state and our nation.
Executive Summary
For six hours we heard testimony from the people who know energy and their conclusions were nearly unanimous. Our country and our state has tremendous energy resources in every category, but we lack the political will to turn this opportunity into the blessing it can be. Uncertain and unreasonable regulations and taxes have held back production for several decades and now a rush to follow the politically correct, and scientifically unfounded global warming alarmists could further restrict our commitment to energy production and it will continue to drive energy prices even higher than they are today.It may seem hard to be optimistic, given the current political climate that continues to choke off our access to affordable and abundant energy, but this hearing gave me a substantial hope that it is possible for us to have much brighter days ahead. The supplies are there. The technology is there. The energy producers are anxious to move forward. I am also convinced that most citizens understand this situation. All we have left is to apply enough heat to the politicians who are standing in our way.
I am currently working on producing a DVD of the entire hearing and hopefully we can also get this discussion up on the web. These tools can help get the word out that there is a better way than the current Colorado state administration's way.
One final note for this "executive summary" of the energy hearing. On the very morning of the hearing the Rocky Mountain News ran a story concerning Excel Energy' s plans to shut down two coal-fired electrical plants as a step toward meeting the state's renewable energy standards for electric utilities! This is a clear example of the madness the current administration is pursuing. Unrealistic and scientifically untenable state mandates will not move us toward energy solutions. It is making bad matters even worse. We must set our eyes on the goal of developing energy security with more energy, local energy, and affordable energy.
Back to Top
Hearing Notes
August 21, 2008James Taylor, of the Heartland Institute began the hearing with a clear refutation of the connection of CO2 with climate changes. There is little, if any, evidence that anthropogenic CO2 is the cause of global warming, and even less support fot the alarmist's claims of cataclysmic global warming. Despite the loud and expensive PR campaign to promote the global warming theory, there is no consensus among qualified scientists.
Stanley Lewandowski, General Manager of Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) agreed that CO2 is not the problem. The problem is government renewable energy standards and regulations are driving the cost of electricity higher and higher. IREA has been keeping prices stable for many years, but they are now facing increasing costs that must be passed on to their customers. He also observed that Al Gore's call for a conversion to renewable energy in ten years is "ridiculous".
John Harpole, from Mercator Energy, LLC told us that, due to new technology, U.S. proven gas reserves have increased from under 200 trillion cubic feet to 800 to 900 trillion cubic feet in the past few years. Colorado energy policies are clamping down Colorado's energy producing prospects. Global warming alarmists are wrong in their assumptions and are making matters much worse.
Peg Rector, of Environmentally Conscious Consumers for Oil Shale said that oil production from oil shale is still several years off, but the incredible reserves we have here in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming are several times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. As a former mayor and county commissioner from the Western Slope, she is convinced that oil shale can be safely and economically produced. The only real question is whether government regulations will allow the production of oil shale. Currently Congress has refused to develop oil shale regulations, which is holding back the industry's timelines to develop our oil shale resources.
Mitch Mandich, CEO of Range Fuels described their process for converting wood to ethanol. It is a different process than the grain based ethanol production and holds the prospect of creating a new renewable fuel source for our nation. They are based in Colorado, but their first production facility will be in Georgia.
Tom Peterson, of Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association explained that the high cost of oil is putting a pinch on asphalt supplies and has in part caused the Colorado Department of Transportation to cancel or slow down many of their road projects this year.
George Glasier, of Energy Fuels Resources told us that Colorado has significant uranium deposits, primarily on the Western Slope. He described the potential and safety of their mining systems. Nuclear energy could be greatly expanded in the U.S. and we have the resources to make that a reality.
Bob Ferguson, of the Science and Public Policy Institute concluded the morning session with several observations (including the data to back up the observations):
There is no evidence of anthropogenic global warming in Colorado.
Even if one accepts all the dire predictions of the global warming alarmists, no effort on Colorado's part could yield any meaningful change to global warming.
There is no scientific consensus on global warming.
The global warming driven policies are a threat to our freedoms and will create a significant hardship for the poor, in this country and around the world.
Energy growth is essential for economic growth.
The term "a new-energy economy" is political-speak for a no-energy economy.
Dr. Howard Hayden, Author of "A Primer on CO2 and Climate" and former physics professor with the University of Connecticut, discussed common falicies for renewable energy systems. In essence, he said that renewables have a role to play, but the reality is that they are still far too expensive and impractical to totally replace conventional energy sources for many years to come.
Scott Moore, of Anadarko Energy Services Company told us that Colorado is a significant gas producing state. The greatest risk the industry faces is uncertainty in the tax and regulatory environment here in Colorado. The limitation is not supply as much as it is Federal and state regulations. Colorado's proposed oil and gas regulations will severly limit energy development in the state. The $320 million tax on the November ballot will give Colorado the second highest tax rate for OIl and gas in the nation. This, along with the regulatory environment, will drive some of the oil and gasindustry out of the state.
Mark Kelly, of the Heritage Foundation said that Federal policy limits our energy production and drives up the price at the pump.
Renewables are still only a fraction of what we need and will not replace traditional energy for decades.
Cap and Trade policies will not affect the climate, but it will be a crushing blow to our economy and will drive up the cost of energy even higher.
Amy Oliver, of the Independence Institute, discussed the principles of free market policies and the Independence Institute's committment to promote sound economic policies.
James Taylor, of the Heartland Institute, joined the panel with Amy and Mark. He reiterated the need for a free market approach to truly optimise our energy resources.
Bishop Phillip Porter spoke for Colorado Consumers for Affordable Energy. He explained that high energy prices are most destructive to the poor. He called on the governor to immediately order a special session of the legislature to deal with this growing crisis.
The legislative panel included Representative Frank McNulty, Representative Cory Gardner, and Senator Josh Penry. They called for laws that give realistic and stable regulations for the energy industry. We need an open and full debate on the merits of our energy needs and reources and the global warming theory. Several legislative measures were discussed, including a resolution where the legislature can fully debate this issue and take a clear stand for developing the energy resources we have here in Colorado.
Princella Smith, of American Solutions was delayed by a late flight, but was able to speak at the end of the hearing. American Solutions, run by former U.S, House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, is keenly aware of our need for energy production. They launched the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less campaign. Ms Smith emphasised that this is not just an economic matter. It is also a matter of national security.
Back to Top
< Back to Global Warming
