Guest essay by Eric Worrall
h/t Dr. Willie Soon – According to Bloomberg President Trump wants to slash $1.6 billion off federal subsidies for renewable energy.
Trump Again Seeks Deep Cuts in Renewable Energy Funding
By Ari Natter
7 March 2019, 19:00 GMT+10
Updated on 8 March 2019, 03:01 GMT+10…
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy would see its $2.3 billion budget slashed by about 70 percent, to $700 million, under President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2020 budget request, which is set to be released on Monday.
The request is unlikely to be granted by Congress, especially with Democrats in charge of the House, but the figure represents an opening bargaining position for negotiations by the White House.
The Energy Department declined to comment and the White House Office of Management and Budget didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
“It’s a shutdown budget,” said Mike Carr, who served as the No. 2 official within the division under President Barack Obama. “That’s apparently what they want to signal to their base — they still want to shut these programs down.”
…
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-07/trump-said-to-again-seek-deep-cuts-in-renewable-energy-funding
My question – why does anyone think renewables still need Federal subsidies?
Greens have been telling us for years that renewables are now cheaper than coal. Surely all we have to do is wait a few years for simple economics to drive the great energy transformation.
$700M isn’t a shutdown budget, $200 to scrape the name off the door is a shutdown budget.
The subsidies support a lot of economic activity in Trump’s base.
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Subsidies support activities that would otherwise be uneconomical.
“It’s a shutdown budget” Because- Hey! You can’t get a cup of coffee for a lousy $700 million.
Only in politician land!
Never before has a president been more concise. Slashing a budget opens up chances to concentrate on the essentials.
Good!
I only wish we could eliminate ALL subsidies.
+100
Finally somebody gets it.
On pricing. Had a look at the Australian Energy Market Operator “Data Dashboard” a couple of hours ago. (201903090520 AEST) Total demand for the five states: 19,163 MW. Wind and others – contributing just 344 MW. Wholesale prices from A$68.73 in Queensland to A$98.37 per MWh in South Australia. Seems that when the ‘renewables’ aren’t in use, the price is reasonable and stable. Subsidies? They just warp the ‘playing field’
https://www.aemo.com.au/Electricity/National-Electricity-Market-NEM/Data-dashboard#nem-dispatch-overview
Life-cycle cost of renewables exceeds the value of the energy they produce during their life. Cost is a proxy for energy (the earth does not charge). The energy consumed during their life-cycle exceeds the energy they produce during their life. Without energy from other sources, renewables cannot exist.
I agree with most of the comments about the article, especially when they say that renewable are cheaper than coal, so no more need for any subsidies .
But back here in Australia, and with a Federal election due in a few weeks, its a bit like John Cleanse in the TV Faulty Towers show, “Don’t mention the War”.
The politicians will soft pedal any mention of Climate Change, except of course the Greens, who are in full cry on the matter.
While the Labour next Prime Minister may turn out to be another Hawke Keating regarding how the Real World actually works, otherwise if he gives into the pressure from his own Left Wing, then we will just have to wait until the lights and Industry cease working.
MJE