Is the European energy crisis pushing Germany towards nukes?
Is nuclear energy a sustainable fuel or not? This is the question which rests on the European Union’s shoulders. The decision has caused a deep rift across Europe about climate-friendly energy solutions for the future with nations disagreeing about which sources should be classed as green or not. Nuclear-reliant France has been leading the charge for the inclusion of nuclear power as a green source, but Germany is critical of the move. However, despite moving away from nuclear power, the nation has been remarkably quiet on the subject.
Soaring gas prices and household energy bills have been a key topic for EU member states in recent weeks as the continent faces an energy crisis.
The EU has been discussing how to best achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
One of the most important and divisive issues is the issue of nuclear power.
On October 11, 10 EU member states led by France expressed their joint support for including nuclear power in the EU’s “taxonomy on sustainable financing,” which would essentially allow the EU to support nuclear projects under its green financing initiative.
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Biden's heating oil fiasco
Almost all countries are increasing energy consumption compared to last year. Yet it reflects a return to normal, not a historic increase.
As the world climbs out of government-inflicted COVID-19 shutdowns, energy demand is certain to climb. In fact, all energy sources and fuels are in high demand. Such is why the price of oil and natural gas continues to rise.
European utilities are even switching from natural gas back to coal power this winter, just to keep the lights on and the heat running. According to a report from Bloomberg Quint, American utility executives are warning that we may well do the same, and even then, we may still see blackouts in some areas.
The latest Energy Outlook report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) explains that "[e]lectricity generation from coal-fired power plants has not increased as much in response to rising natural gas prices as it has in the past, or by as much as our models forecasted in recent STEOs. The lower price responsiveness of coal for electricity generation, which is likely the result of constraints on coal supply and low coal stocks, is contributing to upward pressure on natural gas prices."
EIA continues, explaining its predictions for the coming winter: "We forecast that average U.S. household expenditures for all major home heating fuels will increase significantly this winter primarily because of higher expected fuel costs as well as more consumption of energy due to a colder winter."
Even if it's not a particularly cold winter, EIA says your bill will still be higher: "Altering our assumptions for a 10% colder-than-expected winter significantly increases forecast expenditures, while a 10% warmer-than-expected winter still results in increased expenditures, because of price increases."
Although White House press secretary Jen Psaki makes snide jokes about "the tragedy of the treadmill that's delayed" (demonstrating a lack of awareness and tact that is becoming characteristic of the Biden administration), the reality is that there are essential materials and equipment that aren't reaching vital energy industries. Supplies used in offshore drilling and production, for example, that normally take only a few days to deliver now take weeks.
The Biden administration can make light of the supply chain situation all they want, often implying that it primarily affects the wealthy, who can afford to buy treadmills and other nonessential luxury goods. However, the downstream impact of supply shortages and delays will disproportionately harm America's poorest.
South Carolina residents are already being warned that their heating bills could rise by at least $11 per month this year and into next. That may not seem like much, but it matters for people who survive on tight or fixed budgets, especially when everything else they need is more expensive due to historic inflation. Gasoline, food, winter clothing, and practically every product in between is more expensive due to ever-increasing inflation.
As if our domestic problems were not enough, remember when Russia was our worst enemy ever? According to the left, Russia singlehandedly interfered with the 2016 election, helping Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
So why did President Biden allow completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that Trump blocked, which will supply Germany with natural gas from Russia? This comes as we import a record amount of natural gas from Russia. Even worse, why did Biden kill the Keystone XL pipeline? And why does the administration impose increasingly strict regulations on our oil and gas industries?
In other words, Biden is suppressing U.S. energy production while buying energy from our rivals. When you also consider the Biden administration's unwavering devotion to moving away from coal and other fossil fuels, it's not hard to see why production is struggling to keep up with increased demand. In less than ten months, Biden has terminated U.S. energy independence.
Sadly, the supply chain crisis and fuel shortages that will harm Americans this winter and beyond have been created by dumb, but deliberate, government decisions, not natural market fluctuations, and not a world war.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/10/bidens_heating_bill_fiasco.html
******************************************Don't let climate activist banks restrict capital access
On Sunday, government officials, business leaders, activists, and Hollywood celebrities will gather in Glasgow, Scotland. They'll be there for COP26, a conference that aims to secure new commitments from governments to reduce carbon emissions.
Although there are many figures and groups that are sure to play a pivotal role at the conference, including President Joe Biden, perhaps the most important are the members of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. This group of banks has committed to using its economic weight to push societies toward adopting "green" energy sources, such as wind and solar.
Members of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which includes 84 large banks from 36 countries, have pledged to "transition all operational and attributable [greenhouse gas] emissions from our lending and investment portfolios to align with pathways to net-zero by mid-century, or sooner, including CO2 emissions reaching net-zero at the latest by 2050." Member banks have also promised to "set 2030 targets (or sooner) and a 2050 target, with intermediary targets to be set every 5 years from 2030 onwards."
The decision to "transition all operational and attributable [greenhouse gas] emissions" from "lending and investment portfolios" is an incredibly important development. It means that some banks are planning to pressure businesses, investors, and perhaps even everyday citizens to adopt policies in line with their climate change agenda. Regardless, that is, of whether customers want to abide by this action or can afford it.
Under the terms set by the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which could be expanded at COP26 or in the months that follow, banks could deny business loans to a delivery company that refuses to switch to an all-electric vehicle fleet. Similarly, banks could deny access to financial services to investment firms that hold stock in fossil fuel companies. Seven of the largest and most influential banks in the United States have joined the alliance, including three in October alone: Amalgamated Bank, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo.
Together, these banks control trillions of dollars in assets and dominate most of the consumer banking industry. Of the five largest U.S. banks , four are now members of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and it’s highly likely more will follow. Banks should not be permitted to discriminate against customers or potential customers because they participate in lawful business practices.
Even if you believe man-induced climate change is a crisis, you shouldn’t support giving to banks this tremendous control over our society and economy. It is undemocratic, and it is dangerous. Decisions about climate change and other important issues should be made at the state and federal levels by elected politicians who can be held accountable.
We never voted to give banks this prospective control over our country. Under previous administrations, discriminatory policies such as these would not have been permitted. Our elected officials must stand up now to stop this outrage.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/dont-let-climate-activist-banks-restrict-capital-access
******************************************Australian PM to resist global coal ban pressure at G20
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would resist pressure at the G20 summit to phase out fossil fuels like coal.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has landed in Rome ahead of the G20 summit, saying it is a “pivotal time” for the world’s largest economies to be focussing on the road ahead.
Decarbonising the world is a similar challenge to creating vaccines to end the Covid pandemic, Scott Morrison says, and he wants to prioritise working with other countries to develop new low emissions technologies to find solutions.
Speaking after touching down in Rome, the Prime Minister said Australia’s net zero plan was “crystal clear”, and that he would resist pressure at this weekend’s G20 talks and the Glasgow climate summit to phase out fossil fuels including coal. “Our policy is very clear - we’re not engaged in those sorts of mandates and bans,“ he said.
Mr Morrison also spoke about his call with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying his counterpart expressed “obvious disappointment which we respect and understand” about Australia’s cancellation of its $90bn submarine contract. “We’ve started the way back and I think that’s a positive thing,” he said.
Mr Morrison landed in Rome on Friday night ahead of the G20, during which he will also hold one-on-one talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to settle any concerns about Australia’s new plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Key issues on the G20 agenda include locking in a new global minimum corporate tax rate, as well as emissions reduction ahead of next week’s Glasgow climate change summit.
The leaders will also discuss the economic and health recovery from Covid, with Mr Morrison pushing for enhanced disease surveillance and greater transparency to prevent a repeat of the Covid pandemic.
“When there are common accountabilities and obligations that run across multiple jurisdictions, we will see digital platform companies truly invest in making the online world safer,” Mr Morrison said.
The G20 talks, held amid tight security in the Italian capital, mark the first in-person meeting between the leaders since the pandemic began, although Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend.
Mr Morrison will continue to advocate for open trade and reforms to the World Trade Organisation, as Australia tackles China’s ongoing campaign of economic coercion.
US President Joe Biden also landed in Rome on Friday and was expected to hold his first face-to-face meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron since the AUKUS defence pact was unveiled and Australia ripped up its $90bn French submarines contract.
Mr Macron and Mr Morrison broke the ice on Thursday, with the French President saying Australia’s decision “broke the relationship of trust between our two countries”.
Italy wants a specific commitment to reduce methane emissions, but Mr Morrison has already rejected that to protect Australian farmers.
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My other blogs. Main ones below
http://dissectleft.blogspot.com (DISSECTING LEFTISM )
http://edwatch.blogspot.com (EDUCATION WATCH)
http://pcwatch.blogspot.com (POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WATCH)
http://australian-politics.blogspot.com (AUSTRALIAN POLITICS)
http://snorphty.blogspot.com/ (TONGUE-TIED)
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Jim Hansen and his twin
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