Author name: Michael Giberson

Investors Using Municipal Power Company Borrowing to Maximize Private Returns?

Electricity, Energy markets / By

Michael Giberson Some regional power business developments have a few people in the area scratching their heads and wondering what is going on. An excellent article in Sunday’s Lubbock Avalanche-Journal explores the issue, yet still leaves local readers wondering what a quasi-public company is up to on our behalf. In brief, High Plains Diversified Energy …

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Understanding Libertarian Morality: “Regulations Trigger a Sense of Resistance in Me”

6 Comments / Liberty, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson In the February 2011 issue of Reason Ronald Bailey explains some interesting work in political and moral psychology on libertarian morality. The research – by Jon Haidt at the University of Virginia, Ravi Iyer and Jesse Graham at the University of Southern California and Spassena Koleva and Peter Ditto at the University of California …

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I Detect a Fundamental Tension in This Headline on Wind Power

6 Comments / Energy markets, Humor, Politics / By

Michael Giberson This amusement, courtesy of Examiner.com: “Wind power officially cost effective, AWEA hopes for more incentives from Feds.” The like link is “http://www.examiner.com/green-living-in-national/wind-power-officially-cost-effective,” but I warn you that the site may try to serve you multiple ads, making the experience more trouble than the story is actually worth. The article does, however, make good …

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State of the Union Watching Advice: Don’t.

6 Comments / Liberty, Politics / By

Michael Giberson From ushistory.org on Thomas Jefferson: “Jefferson also found the State of the Union address to be too magisterial when delivered in person. He performed one and afterwards delivered them, as required by the constitution, only in writing.” (link to usconstitution.net added.) Jefferson was right, the pomp and ceremony surrounding the State of the …

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An Act Purporting to Ban Gasoline Zone Pricing in Connecticut

2 Comments / Energy markets, Law, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson A new legislative session in Connecticut brings with it another bill proposing to ban zone pricing of gasoline in the state. But the simplicity of the proposed bill makes it look like they’re not really trying.  Here is the body of the bill (all of it): AN ACT BANNING GASOLINE ZONE PRICING. Be …

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Ethanol Blather Courtesy of the Epa and the Financial Times

Energy markets, Environmental policy, Politics, Regulation, Science / By

Michael Giberson On Friday, the EPA announced it now believes it is safe to use fuels made with up to 15 percent ethanol in cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks manufactured between 2001 and 2006.  EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said, “Whenever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America’s vehicles, this …

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Troubles, from the Point of View of the Solar Power Industry

2 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Regulation, Uncategorized / By

Michael Giberson It’s not easy out there for the solar power industry: Renewable power credits don’t provide long term security for developers… …and middlemen seem to make more money from RECs than renewable power producers do. Private homeowner association rules can frustrate desires of persons wanting to go solar. Local government zoning regulations and associated …

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Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Not Living Up to California Program’s Expectations

1 Comment / Electricity, Politics, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson The Wall Street Journal reports that a program to cut energy consumption by subsidizing consumer purchases of  compact fluorescent light bulbs is not working out as planned.  I think we can summarize this as: regulator approves cost recovery for subsidy program to reduce energy consumption, program doesn’t work as well as expected, so regulator approves …

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Evergreen Solar Moves Manufacturing to China

3 Comments / Economics, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Politics / By

Michael Giberson In my view most “green jobs” arguments are bunk. While such estimates may have their practical uses, for the most part they are convenient lies. Industry lies to politicians and bureaucrats to get subsidies, and politicians recycle the lies to get votes. My view is not particularly subtle. Edward Glaeser provides a subtler …

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