|
|
|
|
Hey, Bay Staters, we know a few people who can help Save Your Cars from this woman.
Boston Herald (1/12/26) reports: "State Senator Cynthia Stone Creem is speaking out about a bill she filed that would seek to reduce personal vehicle driving miles across Massachusetts in order to meet state climate goals. The legislation, An Act Aligning the Commonwealth’s Transportation Plan with its Mandates and Goals for Reducing Emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled (S. 2246), has drawn criticism for its intent to reduce the number of statewide driving miles. Supporters praise the bill for the additional public transportation options it would promote and for going after what they describe as a heavy polluter in personal vehicles. 'The purpose of the Freedom to Move Act is to ensure that we are investing in all transportation options—both roads and highways and cleaner alternatives like trains and buses—to help align Massachusetts with its climate target,' Stone Creem told the Herald in a lengthy statement defending her bill. 'It does not in any way limit people’s choices about how to get around. It does not impose fines, penalties, or taxes on drivers. In fact, it gives people more choices.' But according to language in the bill and a summary of the legislation, MassDOT would be required to set goals for reducing the amount of miles residents collectively travel in their personal vehicles. 'The bill would also require MassDOT to set goals for reducing the number of statewide driving miles, which would be considered when EEA sets greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits,' a summary of the legislation says."
|
|
California's tech economy depends on electricity; too bad Governor Gavin is in charge.
Reason (1/16/26) op-ed: "The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is causing an AI power crisis, as the electricity demands of massive AI data centers are straining existing power grids and outpacing the development of new energy sources. This has led to concerns about grid stability, rising electricity costs, and significant environmental impacts... California remains the national hub for AI development, and it's one of the main bright spots in our economy. The state's budget—now awash in an $18-billion deficit—is increasingly dependent on it. In its recent fiscal analysis, the Legislative Analyst's Office noted that income-tax collections are the one bright spot in the state economy. They are 'growing at double‑digit rates' and are 'driven by enthusiasm around AI, which has pushed the stock market to record highs and boosted compensation among the state's tech workers.' Obviously, the state has a vested interest in assuring that there's plenty of electricity available to power this major tax-generating sector. Meanwhile, lawmakers keep proposing—and sometimes passing—regulations that would hobble the industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom has so far rejected the worst measures, but has signed some new transparency requirements. With the new legislative session comes renewed efforts to regulate more—plus a possible ballot measure in November to impose a billionaire's tax, which will mostly affect tech titans.If the state wants to remain competitive in the burgeoning AI world, then it needs to resist these efforts."
|
|
Finally, the truth about EVs.
New York Times: (1/16/26) book review: "No object is marketed with a greater sense of messianic promise than the electric vehicle. Here, we are told, is the corrective to centuries of environmental catastrophe as the price of material gain. Here is the antidote to climate change. Yet that framing has always sat uneasily alongside a troubling reality: Extracting and processing the raw materials needed to make the electric car’s central element — the batteries — entails its own environmental destruction, along with the exploitation of workers."
|
|
Energy Markets
WTI Crude Oil: ↑ $60.44
Natural Gas: ↑ $4.65
Gasoline: ↑ $2.84
Diesel: ↑ $3.53
Heating Oil: ↑ $239.16
Brent Crude Oil: ↑ $64.98
US Rig Count: ↓ 577 |
|
|
"Ordinary people across the Western world are rejecting the expensive, economically harmful climate policies born from years of fanaticism. If they want their cause to become politically palatable again, Prime Minister Carney and other climate-concerned politicians in Canada should take note and continue to turn away from such policies."
– Matthew Lau, National Review
|
|
|
|
|
EPI and 2024 Oil Production by Country
|
|
What a difference a year makes.
American Energy Alliance (1/120/26) press release: "Since being sworn into office exactly one year ago today, President Donald J. Trump has worked alongside Congressional Republicans to prioritize reliable, affordable American energy. His focus on energy security, economic growth, cutting bureaucracy, and reducing consumer costs has led to over 250 actions to unleash America’s energy potential. American Energy Alliance President Tom Pyle released the following statement: 'It is only fitting that on the one-year anniversary of his inauguration, in the 250th year of America’s independence, we celebrate the 250 actions the President and Congress have taken to support a transformative energy agenda for the nation. AEA has highlighted more than 250 actions, ranging from executive orders and regulatory changes to legislative wins, that have reduced obstacles to domestic energy production, lowered costs, and reinforced America’s standing as the world’s energy leader. It is unprecedented for any leader to work this swiftly to identify a national priority and take every action possible in support of it. It took President Biden almost his whole presidency to hit this many energy-killing measures, but in just one year, President Trump and the Republican Congress have brought us roaring back to energy prosperity. Congratulations to President Trump and Congress on a year of decisive action to restore America’s energy future. We look forward to working with you for another productive year of making American energy even greater.'"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
