Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org)
The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week:
“In God we trust; all others bring data!” Motto of the Apollo space team that included lunar landings.
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Number of the Week: : 130,802 bbls of oil in 2008, 30,453,253 bbls of oil in 2011; 83,744 bbls of condensate in 2008, 20,297,728 bbls of condensate in 2011; and 1 bcf (billion cubic feet) of natural gas in 2008, 243 bcf of natural gas in 2011.
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Please Note: There will be no TWTW on May 7. It will resume on May 14.
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
Heartland Conference: The Heartland Institute’s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-7) will take place in Chicago, Illinois from Monday, May 21 to Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 South Michigan Avenue. The event will follow the NATO Summit taking place in Chicago on May 19–21. The Theme is Real Science, Real Choices. Open to the public, registration is required. http://climateconference.heartland.org/
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The NASA 49: Last week TWTW linked to several articles reporting that 49 retired or ex-NASA scientists and astronauts of the NASA space programs sent a letter to NASA administrator requesting NASA stop advocating that human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming, a claim that is not supported by the scientific data. The letter begins:
“We, the undersigned, respectfully request that NASA and the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) refrain from including unproven remarks in public releases and websites. We believe the claims by NASA and GISS, that man-made carbon dioxide is having a catastrophic impact on global climate change are not substantiated, especially when considering thousands of years of empirical data. With hundreds of well-known climate scientists and tens of thousands of other scientists publicly declaring their disbelief in the catastrophic forecasts, coming particularly from the GISS leadership, it is clear that the science is NOT settled.”
The signatories include members of the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Skylab teams. According to geologist H. Leighton Steward, who organized the effort, members of the Apollo team stated their motto was: “In God we trust; all others bring data!”
The leadership of NASA responded stating that it does not advocate any particular position on global warming. Perhaps the leadership of NASA is unaware of the existence of GISS, which is located at Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City. After all, this institute of space studies uses surface data, mostly land based, to make proclamations of dangerous global warming. It has been demonstrated by Joe D’Aleo, Anthony Watts, and others that the surface data has been manipulated to show a warming trend when it does not.
One of the strangest responses is an article in The Guardian claiming that these NASA scientists are not qualified to comment on the climate science because have not published articles on climate science. The foundations of acquiring scientific knowledge have been developed over thousands of years. Modern empirical science has been developed over several centuries. The techniques and procedures apply to all scientific disciplines and are generally referred to as the Scientific Method. To claim that those well versed in the scientific method are not qualified to criticize the incorrect application of the Scientific Method in climate science is, in effect, claiming that climate science is a cult science and not a modern empirical science. It appears that in some instances, climate science is not a modern empirical science.
Please see the web site of Leighton Steward, http://plantsneedco2.org, the link under “NASA 49” and the links in last week’s TWTW under “Challenging the Orthodoxy,” http://www.sepp.org/twtwfiles/2012/TWTW%20-%204-14-12.pdf
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Number of the Week: 130,802 bbls of oil in 2008, 30,453,253 bbls of oil in 2011; 83,744 bbls of condensate in 2008, 20,297,728 bbls of condensate in 2011; and 1 bcf (billion cubic feet) of natural gas in 2008, 243 bcf of natural gas in 2011.
These are the production amounts from the Eagle Ford shale formation in Texas as reported by the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates such oil and gas production in the state. The formation runs about 400 miles from Brazos County (includes Texas A&M University) in east-central Texas southwest to the border with Mexico. It averages roughly 50 miles wide and about 250 feet thick. This is but one formation that is being unlocked by the new techniques of oil and gas extraction. http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/eagleford/index.php
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The Shale Gale: Last week’s TWTW discussed a series of small panel discussions on energy and energy innovation the Center for the National Interest is holding in conjunction with the Clean Air Task Force , the first of which was titled: “America: New Energy Superpower?” As the Numbers of the Week illustrate the Shale Gale is real and is drastically changing the energy picture in the US. It is important to note that the oil extracted by deep underground hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of shale “tight oil” is significantly different from “shale oil” or kerogen. The former is light crude that flows from the wells. The latter is denser than crude oil and the rock must be heated to over 300 to 500 degrees C to extract the kerogen from it. The Green River Formation in Wyoming and Colorado is one of several large US formations that contain extensive amounts of kerogen, which, under current conditions, cannot be economically extracted.
There are no geological, technological, or economic constraints on the Shale Gale. The only constraints are political – regulatory. The EPA has proposed mild regulations on fracking, under the Clean Air Act. However, there are no assurances that these will not become onerous. Few would have believed that EPA, under the Clean Air Act, would propose prohibiting new construction of coal-fired electrical generation plants, as it has done. There is nothing prohibiting the tightening down of the regulations under spurious public-health claims. Natural gas liquids include benzene, which is identified as causing cancer.
Further, the Clean Air Act is designed to encourage third parties to sue the EPA, demanding intensification of regulations. Often the EPA does not rigorously oppose the litigation, or reaches a court-approved settlement. The litigation can be profitable to the successful third parties, such as those in the environmental industry. Under such conditions the EPA then can claim it has no choice in the matter because it is under court order.
Already, many claims have been made that deep underground fracking can contaminate drinking water; however, thus far it appears that any possible contamination has come from improperly sealing the wells at the level of the aquifers.
Other possible constraints are transporting the fuels from the new fields to users. Pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting the fuels. However, as seen in the Keystone pipeline extension, they can be bitterly fought. River crossings, which are regulated by the Corps of Engineers, can be particularly vulnerable. The permitting process can be lengthy and expensive, taking much longer than the actual construction. The EPA has identified refineries as major emitters of CO2, and onerous regulations on them should be expected.
In addition, politicians such as Representative Markey, of cap-and-trade fame, are demanding legislation preventing the export of hydrocarbons, which will lower their value.
If the above seems particularly negative, one can look at the Alaska pipeline, which Washington is strangling by preventing additional oil development in northern Alaska. The pipeline is operating at about 600,000 barrels per day (60% of ordinary capacity) and may begin to experience significant difficulties at 550,000 bpd. Please see Articles # 1 & #2, links under “EPA and other Regulators on the March,” and http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Inthenews/LowFlow/LowFlow.html
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Oh Mann! The Freedom of Information request for the emails of Michael Mann while he was at the University of Virginia continues to be litigated, with Mr. Mann joining in as a party. The University had no objections of turning over emails of other professors such as Patrick Michaels, but is raising significant objections to turning over the emails of Mr. Mann. The judge hearing the case is making statements that must be somewhat concerning to the University and its attorneys. For example, when the attorneys stated the process of peer review for research was “the bedrock of science,” the judge responded, “But is it the bedrock of open government? …Why does the general public have to trust scientists? Citizens wonder about open government. Why don’t we have access to the process? … FOIA is saying citizens have a right to see what government is doing.” Please see link under ‘Oh Mann.”
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Glimmers of Hope: Another glimmer of hope for opening up the secrecy in science, particularly in climate science, occurred when a number of scientists petitioned the journal Science that it require that those publishing articles in the journal submit their computer source codes for review by other scientists. This requirement exists for the journal of the American Economic Association and a few others. It is necessary to assure that the results are reproducible – a principle in modern empirical science. The arguments of those objecting should be quite interesting.
Another glimmer of hope comes from the efforts to estimate the uncertainty in numerical models. The web site of Judith Curry contains a technical discussion on efforts to quantify the uncertainty in numerical models. A paper on the subject is summarized, followed up by a Fact Sheet by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory stating the enormous difficulties in evaluating the uncertainty of climate models, much less verifying and validating them. The comments by others bring up interesting points, especially the comments of David Wojick. Please see links under “Seeking a Common Ground.”
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Logical Fallacies: Christopher Monckton has an excellent piece on the logical fallacies articulated by Aristotle and how they apply today. One of them, argumentum ad populum, is particularly timely because publications, such as the New York Times and several universities, are resorting to opinion polls as evidence that climate change is causing extreme weather events. For years, the New York Times and other publications have accompanied their articles on carbon dioxide with photos of power plants emitting what appears to be dark smoke – actually steam with the photos taken under special lighting conditions or special lenses. No doubt, if one conducted a public opinion poll asking what color is carbon dioxide, a number would respond with some dark color. It would be absurd to consider such a poll as scientific.
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Corrections and Amplifications: A number of readers pointed out that TWTW misspelled the European satellite, ENVISAT, as EnvisTat. Also, Christopher Essex correctly pointed out in highlighting the comments by Richard Lindzen to his critics, TWTW should have emphasized “that the models don’t actually use known physics because of spatial (and temporal) resolution limitations. So we don’t test on observations, but at best train on them.”
Please note that the web site for EPA grant awards has been changed to http://yosemite.epa.gov/oarm/igms_egf.nsf/Reports/Non-Profit+Grants
As always, TWTW appreciates those who have taken the time to make corrections or amplifications.
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April Fools’ Award: Send in your nominees for the proposed SEPP April Fools’ Award to the government official or political leader who has done the most to expand government power, by falsely claiming it is scientifically justified based on the flimsiest scientific evidence.
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ARTICLES:
For the numbered articles below please see this week’s TWTW at: www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.
1. The EPA’s Fracking Miracle
Behold, the agency shows restraint on shale gas regulation.
Editorial, WSJ, Apr 19, 2012
2. America’s Lost Energy Decade
If we had begun exploring in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2002, its oil and gas (and jobs and revenue) would be flowing now.
By Lisa Murkowski, WSJ, Apr 17, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577344202220512224.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
3. TransCanada Submits Keystone Pipeline Reroute Plan
By Edward Welsch, WSJ, Apr 18, 2012
4. Chemical Makers Ride Gas Boom
By Daniel Gilbert, WSJ, Apr 18, 2012
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Science: Is the Sun Rising?
Sun may soon have four poles, say researchers
By Seiji Tanaka, Asahi Shimbun, Apr 20, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201204200075
The sun may be entering a period of reduced activity that could result in lower temperatures on Earth, according to Japanese researchers.
Suppressing Scientific Inquiry
Global Warming Dogma and the New Iron Triangle
By Norman Rogers, American Thinker, Apr 15, 2012 [H/t Joe Bast]
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/global_warming_dogma_and_the_new_iron_triangle.html
NASA 49
Attacks on climate science by former NASA staff shouldn’t be taken seriously
A letter from former administrators, astronauts, and engineers at NASA expressing climate change scepticism does not deserve parity with the agency’s peer-reviewed climate scientists
By Dana Nuccitelli, for Skeptical Science, Guardian, UK , Apr 12, 2012 [H/t Warren Wetmore]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/12/attacks-climate-science-nasa-staff?newsfeed=true
Challenging the Orthodoxy
More fatal flaws in the Shakun et al. Nature paper claiming that CO2 preceded late glacial warming [Part 2]
By Don Easterbrook, WUWT, Apr 18, 2012
New normal? Historical context of recent global tropical cyclone inactivity
By Ryan Maue, AMS Conference abstract, Apr 16, 2012
http://ams.confex.com/ams/30Hurricane/webprogram/Paper206164.html
[SEPP Comment: Contrary to predictions global tropical cyclone activity (TC, called hurricanes in the Atlantic basin) has declined. The history of the past 40 years indicates TC activity is more closely associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation than human influence on climate. ]
Defending the Orthodoxy
Comment On The 2012 Draft AMS Statement On “Climate Change”
By Roger Pielke Sr, Climate Science, Apr 16, 2012
If the Statement is accepted as written, it will not only be easy to refute significant parts of it, but it will present the American Meteorological Society as an advocacy group rather than an objective professional organization.
Sen. Franken chides GOP no-shows at hearing on impact of climate change
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Apr 19, 2012
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/222543-franken-knocks-gop-over-climate-hearing-no-shows
At the hearing Thursday, the chief scientist for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) noted sea-level rises in past decades, and projections for the end of this century ranging from 0.2 meters to 2 meters. Boldface added.
Climate Change Boosts Then Quickly Stunts Plants, Decade-long Study Shows
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Apr 18, 2012
[SEPP Comment: This study avoids the main issue that increasing carbon dioxide enhances plant growth.]
US greenhouse gases back up after decline
By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP), April 16, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/US_greenhouse_gases_back_up_after_decline_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Disappointing news, the economy is no longer declining.]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
A Heated Public Climate Change: Global Tempers Rising Over Costly CO2 Legislation
By Larry Bell, Forbes, Apr 17, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Is the true global warming increasing public awareness that they are being mislead?]
Extremes of climate, extremes of opinion
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Apr 12, 2012
http://www.scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/extremes-climate-extremes-opinion
[SEPP Comment: The IPCC continues its alarmist ways. The Summary for Policy Makers for extreme weather events makes dire predictions. Yet, the scientific report, which is published well after the dire predictions, fails to substantiate them.]
In the eyes of Nature, warming can’t be natural
By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, UK, Apr 16, 2012 [H/t Jeff Braswell]
[SEPP Comment: The editors of Nature seem to reject mother nature.]
NASA GISS Director James Hansen Plays Climate Science Victimization Card.
By Tim Ball, Different Prospective, Apr 20, 2012
http://drtimball.com/2012/nasa-giss-director-james-hansen-plays-climate-science-victimization-card/
Global warming alarmism becoming much less alarming
By Mark Landsbaum, Orange County Register, Apr 11, 2012 [H/t SPPI]
[SEPP Comment: Pregnant comments.]
We Live in Nineteen Eighty Twelve
By Art Horn, Energy Tribune, Apr 13, 2012
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm/10348/We-Live-in-Nineteen-Eighty-Twelve
[SEPP Comment: Are members of the orthodoxy engaging in Orwellian thinking?]
The Religion of Global Warming
By W.A. Beatty, American Thinker, Apr 15, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/the_religion_of_global_warming.html
Europe’s Climate Change Alarmism a Religious Belief?
By Dale Hurd, CBN News, Apr 17, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/April/Climate-Change-Alarmism-a-Religious-Belief/
Questioning European Green
Why the debate over British shale gas extraction is for high stakes
By Bagehot [Not Really] The Economist, Apr 17, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2012/04/british-energy-security
[SEPP Comment: An effort to invoke the thinking of a 19th century economic commentator.]
It’s true: There’s a real danger that fracking will cause a major boom
By Benny Peiser, City AM, UK, Apr 18, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.cityam.com/forum/it-s-true-there-s-real-danger-fracking-will-cause-major-boom
Rio + 20 – World Control?
Earth Day and the Great “Sustainability” Lie
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Apr 17, 2012
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-and-great-sustainability-lie.html
Rio+20 Agenda: Trillions Per Year In Green Taxes, Transfers And Price Hikes
George Russell, Fox News, Apr 20, 2012
Problems within the Orthodoxy
The EU’s Energy Roadmap 2050: targets without governance
By Severin Fischer and Oliver Geden, European Energy Review, Apr 10, 2012
By 2050, reduce total GHG emissions by 80% of 1990; transportation by 85%, and electricity generation by 95%!
[SEPP Comment: Sacrifice national sovereignty over energy policy for EU climate policy. The belief that climate policy should determine energy policy is eroding. The agreement reached before the failure of the 2009 Copenhagen conference may be functionally obsolete.]
Logical Fallacies
Aristotle’s climate
His fallacies are exemplified by the warming hysteria
By Christopher Monckton, Financial Post, Apr 20, 2012
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/04/20/aristotles-climate/
Who Cares What the Science Says?
By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Apr 18, 2012
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/04/who-cares-what-science-says.html
Why the Yale and George Mason University poll attempt to tie “extreme weather” to global warming is rubbish
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Apr 18, 2012
Week in review 4/13/12
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Apr 15, 2012
http://judithcurry.com/2012/04/15/week-in-review-41312/#more-7937
[SEPP Comment: Observations on the erroneous attribution of extreme weather events to human emissions of carbon dioxide.]
Seeking a Common Ground
At Last, The Right Lesson From Climategate Fiasco
By Staff Writers, GWPF, from PhysOrg, Apr 16, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/science-news/5474-at-last-the-right-lesson-from-climategate-fiasco-.html
[SEPP Comment: The title of the article is appropriate: “Shining Light into Black Boxes.”
UQ
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Apr 17, 2012
http://judithcurry.com/2012/04/17/uq/#more-8055
A Sharp Rise in Retractions Prompts Calls for Reform
By Carl Zimmer, NYT, Apr 16, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Retractions in medical journals indicate a symptom that may be wide spread in all scientific journals.]
Models v. Observations
John Christy’s Comment On “If You Want To Roll The Climate Dice, You Should Know The Odds”
By Roger Pielke Sr, Climate Science, Apr 20, 2012
[SEPP Comment: When adjusted for the actual CO2 emissions and the influences of volcanoes, the NASA-GISS models perform very poorly compared to observations.]
Max Planck Institute Director Admits “Physical Causes Unclear…Models Inconsistent With Observations”!
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Apr 17, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
Changing Weather
Great Lakes Have Not Been Setting Low Water Level Records
By Joe D’Aleo, WeatherBell Analytics, Apr 14, 2012
http://www.weatherbell.com/weather-news/great-lakes-have-not-been-setting-low-water-level-records/
Changing Climate
Reef winners and losers in a warmer world
Press Release, James Cook University, AU, Apr 13, 2012
http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/news/JCU_099903
[SEPP Comment: Some creatures adapt better to warming than others, as some adapt better to cooling than others.]
Changing Seas
Rising Pacific seas linked to climate change: study
By Staff Writers, Sydney (AFP), April 13, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Rising_Pacific_seas_linked_to_climate_change_study_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Drastic rising as the globe rebounded from the Little Ice Age.]
No Sea Level Rise Acceleration – Study Shows “Similar Rates Could Also Be Identified Earlier In The Record”
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Apr 11, 2012 [H/t SPPI]
Changing Sea Ice
Sea Ice Prediction – Update To 2012
By Roger Pielke, Sr, Climate Science, Apr 20, 2012
http://pielkeclimatesci.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/sea-ice-prediction-update-to-2012/
[SEPP Comment: Even when the measured Arctic sea ice extent was shrinking, it was shrinking far less than what the models predicted.]
Breaking News : NSIDC Gets In The Data Tampering Act
By Steven Goddard, Real Science, Apr 18, 2012 [H/t WUWT]
http://www.real-science.com/breaking-news-nsidc-gets-in-the-data-tampering-act
[SEPP Comment: The difference is small, but if the “clipping” of data can be verified, it is one more, sad example of government scientific organizations manipulating the data.]
Changing Earth
New question mark over global warming: Scientists discover glaciers in Asian mountain range are actually getting BIGGER
By Ian Garland, Daily Mail, Apr 16, 2012
No ice loss seen in major Himalayan glaciers: scientists
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), April 15, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/No_ice_loss_seen_in_major_Himalayan_glaciers_scientists_999.html
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
For Wheat and Rice, CO2 is Nice
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Apr 20, 2012
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2012/04/20/for-wheat-and-rice-co2-is-nice/#more-536
[SEPP Comment: Chinese scientists applying western science when western scientists do not – data trumps models.]
India won’t be able to store another bumper crop
By Amit Agnihotri, New Delhi (IANS) Apr 17, 2012
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/India_wont_be_able_to_store_another_bumper_crop_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Is global warming the cause?]
Litigation Issues
Mercury and Air Toxics Standard Takes Effect amid Mounting Legal Pushback
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4576.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2427094&hq_l=4&hq_v=5e660500d0
Federal Court Panel Hears Cross-State Rule Arguments
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4578.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2427094&hq_l=5&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: Litigating a set of EPA regulations that may be made obsolete by proposed new EPA regulations on carbon dioxide.]
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
When is a free market solution *not* the answer? When it isn’t free.
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Apr 17, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The European cap-and-trade system is not a free market system, meaning free of government manipulation.]
The fate of the EU carbon market hangs in the balance
By Sonja van Renssen, European Energy Review, Apr 12, 2012
At stake in all of this is nothing less than the future of the ETS and European climate policy
[SEPP Comment: The author argues that this so-called “market based solution” is failing because governments are not intervening sufficiently in the market.]
Poland says ETS reform could bankrupt its industry
By John Acher, Reuters, Apr 19, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/19/us-eu-poland-carbon-idUSBRE83I14720120419
[SEPP Comment: EU interference in the artificial cap-and-trade scheme to increase prices can have damaging effects.]
The EU’s Emissions Trading System: Trouble in Paradise
By Thomas A. Hemphill, The American, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.american.com/archive/2012/april/the-eus-emissions-trading-system-trouble-in-paradise
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
Parliament shoots down Commission’s energy tax plan
By Staff Writers, EurActiv, Apr 20, 2012
http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/parliament-shoots-commission-energy-tax-plan-news-512275
[SEPP Comment: Keeping EU subsidies for diesel fuel.]
EPA and other Regulators on the March
How EPA Uses “Sue and Settle” Agreements To Steal Power from the States (and what the Congress is doing to stop it)
By William Yeatman, Global Warming.org, Apr 11, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Closing off favored litigation as a means of expanding regulatory power that bypasses the governmental bodies charged with defining regulatory power.]
EPA Finalizes First Federal Standards for Gas Fracking
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4579.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2427094&hq_l=8&hq_v=5e660500d0
Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards
By Staff Writers, Press Release, EPA, Apr 18, 2012
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/
Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards
Regulatory Actions, EPA, Apr 17, 2012
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html
The EPA’s Faulty Science Can Be Stopped
By John Dale Dunn & Steve Milloy, American Thinker, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/the_epas_faulty_science_can_be_stopped.html
[SEPP Comment: Attempting to address a legal morass.]
Coal Ash Regulation: Another Front on the ‘War Against Coal’
By Lance Brown, Master Resource, Apr 16, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/04/coal-ash-regulation/
[SEPP Comment: The improper storage of coal ash by a government enterprise – the Tennessee Valley Authority – has lead to financially infeasible regulations on other coal fired power plants.]
Diesel Technologies Drastically Cut Emissions in Real-World Conditions
By Staff Writers, Raleigh, NC (SPX), Apr 17, 2012
[SEPP Comment: If supported by other studies, this shows that existing regulations on diesel trucks will significantly reduce health hazards from soot and NOx , drawing into question why does the EPA continue to ignore the health benefits of existing regulations when it proposes new regulations?]
Energy Issues – Non-US
Opposition to Shale Gas Is a Storm in a Teacup
By Matt Ridley, The Times, as posted in GWPF Apr 18, 2012
Energy Issues — US
Six Reasons Not To Ban Energy Exports*
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.globalwarming.org/2012/04/19/six-reasons-not-to-ban-energy-exports/
Exporting U.S. Oil And Gas Is Good For The Economy
By Bernard Weinstein, IBD, Apr 16, 2012
America’s energy job machine is heating up
Deep-sea drilling and fracking are helping to unearth abundant supplies of oil and gas. The coming energy renaissance could be just the elixir the U.S. economy needs.
By Richard Martin, Fortune, Apr 12, 2012
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/12/energy-jobs-boom/
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Peak Oil Off: Great Game On
By Matthew Hulbert, Forbes, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewhulbert/2012/04/19/peak-oil-off-great-game-on/
Cheer up: the world has plenty of oil
Why the oil industry has buried the idea of “peak oil”
By Robin Mills, European Energy Review, Apr 17, 2012
Exclusive – UK has vast shale gas reserves, geologists say
By Henning Gloystein & Christopher Johnson, Reuters, Apr 17, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/17/uk-britain-shale-reserves-idUKBRE83G0KS20120417
Fuel to Burn: Now What?
By Jad Mouwad, NYT, Apr 10, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Even some at the New York Times are beginning to realize the revolution in oil and gas.]
Oil Boom Could Fuel Economy if We Let It
By Marita Noon, Townhall, Apr 15, 2012
Fracking Vindicated
By Gary Jason, American Thinker, Apr 14, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/fracking_vindicated.html
Washington’s Control of Oil and Gas
America’s Lost Energy Decade
If we had begun exploring in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2002, its oil and gas (and jobs and revenue) would be flowing now.
By Lisa Murkowski, WSJ, Apr 17, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577344202220512224.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
Dropping Fossil Fuels For Green Energy Would Be Foolish
Editorial, IBD, Apr 16, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/607978/201204161828/fossil-fuels-are-cheap-abundant-reliable.htm
The Obama Oil Embargo
By David Kreutzer, Foundry, Apr 18, 2012
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/04/18/the-obama-oil-embargo/
Bureaucratic Gas
To lower prices at the pump, abolish the boutique fuel regime.
By Steven Hayward, Weekly Standard, Apr 2, 2012
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/bureaucratic-gas_634424.html
[SEPP Comment: The US General Accountability Office cannot determine how many different blends of gasoline are mandated among the various regions of the US.]
Obama a Threat to Low Cost Gas
By Gordon Tomb, Energy Tribune, Apr 17, 2012
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm/10376/Obama-a-Threat-to-Low-Cost-Gas
Keep American Oil Domestic
How America’s Oil Melting Pot Could Shrink the trade Deficit and Boost the Declining Dollar – Without New Taxes
By Marita Noon, Energy Tribune, Apr 18, 2012
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm/10393/Keep-American-Oil-Domestic?
[SEPP Comment: Oil refining can be considered as another form of manufacturing. Why should Washington restrict the areas in which it is sold?]
Return of King Coal?
The rising power of coal: It’s not just China anymore
By Frank Clemente, Energy Facts, Apr 16, 2012
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=29bc7d5d85828d574f86c157a&id=ee2bd8e052&e=
Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences
The Deepwater Horizon Two Years Later
By Bruce Thompson, American Thinker, Apr 20, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/the_deepwater_horizon_two_years_later.html
[SEPP Comment: The finger pointing of the problems of stopping the leak and clean-up take a different direction.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
More action needed sooner on climate change
By Staff Writers, WNN, Apr 16, 2012
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE_More_action_needed_sooner_on_climate_change_1604121.html
[SEPP Comment: A special pleading for nuclear energy. However, the writers fail to recognize that the green industry will not embrace nuclear energy.]
Japan confirms ‘safe’ to restart two nuclear reactors
By Staff Writers, Tokyo (AFP), April 13, 2012
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Obama’s quixotic wind program
By Rebekah Rast, Net Right, Apr 13, 2012
http://netrightdaily.com/2012/04/obamas-quixotic-wind-program/
A Dark Day for Solar Power
“Renewable” energy subsidies have become an unaffordable feel-good luxury.
By Ross Kaminsky, American Spectator, Apr 18, 2012
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/04/18/a-dark-day-for-solar-power
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
DOE: 12 GW Lies Unexploited in Non-powered Dams Across U.S.
By Staff Writers, Power News, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4582.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2427094&hq_l=10&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: Converting existing dams to generate electricity.]
Energy Beets: Who will Leap First?
North American sugar-to-ethanol strategy differs from Brazil’s, Europe’s
By Holly Jessen, Ethanol Producer, Apr 11, 2012 [H/t Warren Wetmore]
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/8707/energy-beets-who-will-leap-first
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles
Many wheels good, four wheels bad
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/many-wheels-good-four-wheels-bad
Obama Fuel Economy Standards Could Price Almost 7 Million Drivers out of New Car Market – NADA
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Apr 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The ultimate clean vehicles – none!]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Biodiversity and the Multi-Functionality of Ecosystems
Reference: Maestre, F.T., et al. Plant species richness and ecosystem multifunctionality in global drylands. Science 335: 214-218.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/17apr2012a2.html
[SEPP Comment: Increased CO2 enhances biodiversity.]
The Siberian High in a Supposedly Warming World
Reference: Jeong, J.-H., Ou, T., Linderholm, H.W., Kim, B.-M., Kim, S.-J., Kug, J.-S. and Chen, D. 2011. Recent recovery of the Siberian High intensity. Journal of Geophysical Research 116: 10.1029/2011JD015904.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/17apr2012a1.html
[SEPP Comment: The dominant high pressure system during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere has been declining for the 1960s to the 1990s and the models predict it will continue to decline in the 21st century. For the past two decades it has been intensifying sharply – contradicting the models.]
What is the Best Frame of Reference for Evaluating the Biological Consequences of Ocean Acidification?
Reference: Stumpp, M., Wren, J., Melzner, F., Thorndyke, M.C. and Dupont, S.T. 2011a. CO2 induced seawater acidification impacts sea urchin larval development I: Elevated metabolic rates decrease scope for growth and induce developmental delay. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 160: 331-340.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/18apr2012a1.html
The Response of Coastal Marshes to Global Warming
Reference: Albrecht, F., Wahl, T., Jensen, J. and Weisse, R. 2011. Determining sea level change in the German Bight. Ocean Dynamics 61: 2037-2050.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/18apr2012a2.html
Oh Mann!
Prince William climate case judge already anticipating the appeal
By Tom Jackman, Washington Post, Apr 17, 2012
Scientist’s rebuttal of Michael Mann’s “denier” and other unsavory labels in his book
By Craig Loehle, WUWT, Apr 17, 2012
Environmental Industry
Genocidal Green Quotes
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Apr 19, 2012
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/04/genocidal-green-quotes.html
[SEPP Comment: A refresher on environmental extremism.]
Human Day
By Peter Foster, Financial Post, Apr 20, 2012
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/04/20/peter-foster-human-day/
Little Green Lies: An exposé of twelve environmental myths
By Jeff Bennett, Reviewed in Quadrant, Apr 11, 2012
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2012/04/little-green-lies
Overthrowing Environmentalism
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Apr 16, 2012
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/04/overthrowing-environmentalism.html
Buy coal? New analysis shows purchasing fossil fuel deposits best way to fight climate change
By Staff Writers, Chicago IL (SPX), Apr 16, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Perhaps the unproductive assets should be taxed at value.]
Next They’ll Say We Have Too Many Polar Bears
Editorial, IBD, Apr 16, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/607976/201204161828/polar-bear-population-grows.htm?
Other Scientific News
IceCube Neutrino Observatory provides new insights into origin of cosmic rays
Posted by Anthony Watts, WUWT, Apr 20, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The findings do not invalidate one of the strong hypotheses for changing climate: the interaction between cosmic rays, modulated by the sun, and the atmosphere in causing variations in cloudiness.]
Ammonites found mini oases at ancient methane seeps
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX). Apr 18, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Ammonites_found_mini_oases_at_ancient_methane_seeps_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Methane seeps as a source for life?]
New method to prevent undersea ice clogs
By Staff Writers, Boston MA (SPX), Apr 17, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/New_method_to_prevent_undersea_ice_clogs_999.html
Other News that May Be of Interest
The new cold war: Militaries eying Arctic resources
By Staff Writers, AP, Apr 16, 2012
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
CU-Boulder study shows Greenland may be slip-sliding away due to surface lake melt
By Staff Writers, Boulder CO (SPX), Apr 18, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Another study that ignores shape of the bedrock under the Greenland ice. According to geologist Cliff Ollier, it is a concave, like a bowl. This article implies that gravity can force ice to slide uphill.]
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Reblogged this on TaJnB | TheAverageJoeNewsBlogg and commented:
From the most read website on climate change in the world, Anthony Watts’ WUWT.
Given all its sea level figures are now in question, EnvisTat was spot on. (I don’t know if this pun travels – in UK ‘tat’ = garbage or cheap cr*p).
Grrr.
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2012/04/21/mother-mexico-the-jackals/
I am thouroughly fed up with being first a sceptic and then a denier (whatever this means). As a German lawyer and retired notary public I think it’s time to suggest new terms for activities and participants in climate debates:
1. Climate Science ( Climate Scientist) means using basically scientific methods by collecting data, putting them into a theory or heuristic system, evaluating them and – if they do not comply with the theory or system – dismiss, change or adapt the latter. The disadvantages: results may be disputable or even wrong over a long period. They may be unexpected or even unwanted. The advantages: Theories and systems may result in correct findings.
2. Climate Scifi (Climate Scifictist) means collecting data, putting them into a theory or heuristic system, evaluating them and – if they do not comply with the theory or system – dismiss, change or adapt (homogenize) the former. The disadvantages: none. The advantages: receiving always expected and wanted results, predictions never fail because the real world has to adapt, getting reputation, influence an money.
Anthony, guess which term should be applied to which process and participant in climate-discussion.