Posted on 09/23/2019 8:48:43 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Winter is coming, to borrow a phrase.
Every New Yorker knows that during our long cold season, we rely on utility companies to supply us with power and heat. Life would get darn uncomfortable otherwise.
What many may not know is that Governor Andrew Cuomo and his climate-obsessed administration has been working hard to deprive utilities of the fuel they need to keep our lights on and our central heating systems operational. There were even power cuts in New York City this summer because of Cuomo's irrational aversion to fossil fuels, and one downstate utility company stopped accepting new natural gas customers because of a politically-induced shortage of that precious fuel. Similar unwise policies in Massachusetts led that state to import Russian natural gas by sea — despite the fact that the United States boasts some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, and U.S. production is higher than ever.
So how do politicians like Governor Cuomo go about depriving Americans of power and heat? The latest trick they've employed is the weaponization of the federal Clean Water Act.
In an effort to reduce fossil fuel usage, Governor Cuomo claims that natural gas pipelines are a danger to the environment, specifically public water supplies, despite the industry’s superb safety record. Never mind that trucking natural gas is less efficient, less safe, and more expensive. The purpose of the Governor’s moratorium on new natural gas pipelines is to choke off the ability of utility companies to obtain the affordable energy supplies they need to keep the electricity flowing to homes and businesses, and to keep New Yorkers cool in summertime and warm in the winter. Presumably, Cuomo and his cronies assume that, once we find ourselves reading by candlelight and jogging in place to stay warm, we'll install solar panels and windmills by the millions, for lack of better options. Think of it as a “Green New Deal” by other means...
Of course, none of this is what the Clean Water Act was designed for. New York's interpretation of the law was always bogus.
Furthermore, politicians pursuing an ideological agenda hostile to fossil fuels could have appealed to voters directly to ban them, but instead decided to subvert the Clean Water Act and abuse their oversight responsibilities to force consumers to purchase more expensive “green” energy (when New Yorkers already pay through the nose).
As it happens, Cuomo and his administration were misguided from the start in their castigation of natural gas in the name of “saving the planet.” The fact is that rising natural gas use in the last several decades is the main factor that has allowed the U.S. to reduce its carbon footprint. The Energy Information Administration found that the transition from coal to natural gas for power generation has reduced carbon emissions by 28 percent from 2005 to 2017. No, what drives the political crusade against natural gas pipelines is not a reasonable, balanced strategy to protect the environment — it is instead a shortsighted prejudice against an energy source that is part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem.
The good news is that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently intervened to impede Cuomo’s moratorium. FERC ruled that New York waived its authority to block natural gas pipeline projects on the pretext that they violate the Clean Water Act because it has not resolved such disputes in a timely manner. This ruling, in combination with recent Executive Orders and EPA rule changes designed to facilitate the expansion of energy infrastructure, may effectively curtail New York politicians' vendetta against natural gas — and against the millions of New Yorkers who rely on it for power and heat.
Bravo, FERC! Bravo, EPA! We all support a diverse energy mix that includes renewables, but we also need power and heat — and therefore fossil fuels — to live and work in a civilized society.
Americans should make it clear to their elected officials, including Governor Cuomo, that we won't stand for unfounded political interference in the provision of basic necessities to homes and businesses. It's obvious, moreover, that we need more natural gas pipelines if our nation is to thrive.
Winter is coming. With a little common sense, we can be ready for it.
We need petroleum for heat. We are committed to an economy that uses the free energy in oil. There is NO alternative, other than nuclear, which can give us enough energy for our needs.
We will NOT go back to the bronze age.
We should live in caves and survive on nuts and berries until the US population gets down to around 10 million. Shouldn’t take long.
"If" you are including "natural gas" with "oil", your statement is correct. If not, then it isn't. The main thing we need from oil is transportation fuels...all the rest can come from natgas (although I agree about nuclear).
"If" the capital expenditure can justify it, natgas can also be used for transportation fuel, including in diesel-cycle engines. That change is already happening in marine usage, train transport, and to a small extent, long-haul trucking.
I really want to see environmental whackos turning into icicles! Guess I have a low entertainment threshold!
Caves and candles...the Marxist answer to Global everything.
I wish someone would take a hard look at what’s going on with local governments and ESCOs in Central NY. Albany has aided and abetted the local governments doing biz with the ESCOs. And if the marginally lower rates are being subsidized by taxpayers, to tune of how much and why?
NYS media clearly doesn’t give a damn.
Fredo doesn’t pass gas (fart) without the permission of Environmental Lobby.
Ok, here is a tip.
Generation must be equal and hopefully more than load.
Currently, spinning mass generation with its inertera must be greater than inverter based generation.
Inverter based generation is wind and solar.
“Fredo” is his brother that’s on CNN.
Back in ‘73, a popular bumper sticker went some thing like “Environmentalists: Let Them Freeze in the Dark”.
It would be much much better to let NY freeze in the winter, have rolling blackouts, and sweat during the summer. Maybe that will force the Rats there to actually think about and re-evaluate who they vote for and the policies that they support in NY and the USA in general.
Buy fur coats! Kill more animals!
This is all part of Andy’s plan for the presidency. Next Spring, when the dems recognize that no one in the Clown Car can get elected, Cuomo is going to start a rumor that the dems want to “Draft Cuomo.”
"I really want to see environmental whackos turning into icicles!"
That would be chilling. :->)
Andrew is “Fredo the First”, Chris is “Fredo the Lesser”. They are both dim bulb thugs, both born on third base believing the hit triples...
Guess I hadn't be paying attention.
I've always heard Andrew referred to as "Il Duce".
Here’s how Team Trump will bust Cuomo’s gas blockade
By Andrew Wheeler
August 15, 2019 | 8:00pm
https://nypost.com/2019/08/15/heres-how-team-trump-will-bust-cuomos-gas-blockade/
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