Many people don’t understand my opposition to government subsidies for “green” energy and question my belief that the market process is likely to generate environmentally and ethically superior results. Since both government mandates and markets will produce errors, it’s reasonable to ask: Which is more likely to correct them quickly? Government should provide funds for […]
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The drive for energy independence is rooted in three concerns. First, we are vulnerable to oil disruptions. Second, our energy demands generate national security entanglements. And third, we face rising emissions of climate-altering carbon dioxide. Politicians have been calling for American energy independence for over thirty years. In 1973 U.S. foreign oil imports were at […]
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Montana’s experiment with electricity restructuring didn’t deliver its promises of lower costs. NorthWestern Energy’s residential customers currently pay some of the highest electricity rates in the region. And prices are likely headed higher. This has important consequences for policymakers concerned about Montana’s poor and elderly citizens. Is there a fix? A group called Montana Public […]
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Jerry Johnson’s column last week reminds us of those in our community struggling to makes ends meet. Bozeman is an organic community. It’s very different from many other Rocky Mountain towns, for example Sun Valley, created out of thin air by Averell Harriman, the railroad and banking magnate. And unlike Sun Valley or Aspen, Bozeman […]
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America needs a well-educated citizenry. Along with good character and discipline, a quality education is required to succeed in today’s economy. Most suburban schools, like those in Bozeman, perform well. Bozeman High boasts SAT scores well above the national average, regularly produces National Merit Scholars, and sends graduates to top-flight colleges. I occasionally guest lecture […]
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I recently met with a Bozeman writer about my opposition to subsidies for alternative fuels. Am I opposed to all subsidies, including those for fossil fuels, or just for wind, solar, and synfuels? Of course, I responded, I’m opposed to all commodity subsidies on ethical and environmental grounds. But I support federal investments in basic […]
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How will we meet our future energy demands and what are the environmental consequences of our choices? We’ll have a better chance at crafting successful policies if we recognize three vexing realities. First, fossil fuels are our cheapest, most available sources of energy. “Renewables” (e.g., solar and wind) will play only a limited role in […]
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Imagine the rewards for finding a viable substitute to oil. I can’t think of another situation where the positive incentives are better aligned to encourage the entrepreneurial discovery process. Governor Schweitzer is dealing with this today at his Montana Symposium. He believes that Montana can lead by producing synthetic fuels from our coal. In addition […]
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I received an invitation from the Gallatin County Democrats to join with local labor unions to renovate a portion of the Gallatin Labor Temple and raise funds for Hurricane Katrina relief. I hope the event was successful. The invitation came on a picture postcard. The image was in the genre known as Socialist Realism. It […]
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Gasoline prices have hit new highs. Hurricane Katrina, a lack of refineries (the newest U.S. refinery is thirty years old), a “Balkanzied” fuel market, and high demand drive prices. Politicians are tempted to “protect” consumers from being “gouged” by oil companies. Unfortunately, one of their favored policies, a cap on gasoline prices, has a sorry […]
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