Green with Greed

www.techcentralstation.com ^ | 09/13/2002 | Chris Horner

[Tailgunner Joe]

"Green" groups do quite well for themselves courtesy of business and foundations derived from corporate wealth (Pew, Ford, Rockefeller, Heinz, MacArthur). Still, the green machine is not free from financial challenge. History has proven they cannot rely upon industrial mishaps despite their lucrative bombast in response. Revenue problems forced even the icon Greenpeace to merge with a fairly obscure rival.

At the World Summit on Sustainable Development earlier this month, however, industry and greens got even cozier in a desperate move to suppress the availability of energy. Some of these businesses merely continue the wildly unsuccessful pattern of seeking to apologize their way to acceptance. Others, like natural gas giant BP which spoke for industry in Jo'burg, seek to use "green" restrictions to defeat their competition. This coalition deserves further scrutiny.

Revelations that the greens' impressive funding may not be "sustainable" beyond current levels include a recent survey showing belief in global warming closely tracks that of UFOs and astrology. The collapse of Soviet funding of green agitators didn't help matters. This, of course, was capped by the demise of Enron's booty call. Columnist Robert Novak did the world a tremendous favor by exposing "the Enron Papers," internal memos exposing an extensive campaign to muscle out competitor energy sources by, inter alia, funding greens to scare the world into a "global warming" treaty.

But the Enron gravy train's derailment by no means signaled the end of businesses sacrificing their future to fund groups dedicated to corporate demise. "Rent-seeking" entities seeking to disable their competition or seek a preference through installing green, anti-growth policies, are a common, if regrettable, presence.

In fact, if this "World Summit" proved anything, it is that industry is still widely ready to line up in homage to the green agenda. Among those "greening" their image in Jo'burg, BMW, for example, paid handsomely to occupy the main square for a massive display burnishing its credentials. Companies showing their neediness for a green seal of approval often get caught instead in a bit of a running shakedown.

BP represents something far worse. It is the post-Enron rent seeker, far more high-profile than even Enron in advocating policies ensuring short-term profit but which, long term, will result in untold human suffering. Enron was the world's leading proponent of the theory of "catastrophic man-made global warming" for one obvious reason: greed. Their revealing memos demonstrate a scheme to get wildly rich by effectively banning the burning of coal. One of the Enron Papers was an August 4, 1997 memo to Ken Lay preparing him for an Oval Office meeting on the topic of whether and how to get a "global warming treaty." The meeting included not only President Clinton and Vice President Gore, but BP's Sir John Brown. The memo unflatteringly described BP as Enron's international equivalent. Indeed.

Still striving to live up to this billing, BP has aggressively made Washington aware of its newfound status as a behemoth U.S. gasoline retailer. In the international arena, BP is picking up Enron's slack, and their agreement in Johannesburg through a surrogate group shows that big industry continues to chase greenbacks and green kudos wildly contrary to the well-being of its customers. In Johannesburg, BP's efforts yielded further commitments to the green community that will doom affordable energy.

At a joint industry-green press conference, BP represented the membership of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBSCD). The WBCSD is the international version of the U.S.'s Business Council for Sustainable Development previously chaired by, yes, Ken Lay. Political considerations clearly played a role in Lay and Enron lowering their profile as the 2000 political campaign gained steam, though that did not cause Enron to scale back their efforts to lock the U.S. in an energy suppression regime that, within a few short years, would necessitate massive economic slowdown and individual privation. Similarly, WBCSD's blue-chip membership all appear to be businesses who would profit by near-term institution of carbon dioxide caps, for reasons particular to their products and operations.

WBCSD and the greens "agreed to set aside their differences" in the name of pressuring nations into accepting the Kyoto Protocol. It is time to fully expose, and call these so-called "responsible" companies to answer for, this agenda. Sellouts should give it up. Even lead sellout BP received an "Oscar" here for using its green programs "to cover up the practices which collectively have led to the current crisis in the world's environment." Greens will never sincerely recognize good faith efforts, nor the steady and improvement in environmental conditions. They will merely use you until their campaign to destroy you succeeds. Grow up. Compete like adults. And for heaven's sake, care about people, not just profits.

[m1911]

Gotta read

[Ditter]

I just sent this to my 'green' cousin in California. Thanks.

[elbucko]

The collapse of Soviet funding of green agitators didn't help matters.

Do tell. Who would have thought...(/sarcasm)

[Carry_Okie]

You might find this interesting.

[Carry_Okie]

I didn't know BP was big into natural gas, but it stands to reason. I have read, but have not confirmed that they also have substantial platinum holdings. That would be collinear with a Kyoto based strategy to increase the ROI on a politically forced conversion to fuel cell energy production.

[Dog Gone]

It's only half the story. BP is the most poorly-managed big oil company in the business. They are run by idiots in London who care more about a social agenda than making money.

I think that they're less sinister in their green agenda than complete fools. I have never encountered an oil company that is so incompetent in my career than BP. They got big by acquiring assets of other companies in distress, not through understanding how to find and produce oil economically. Their slogan is "BP, beyond petroleum" whatever the heck that means.

[Dog Gone]

BP is the largest producer of natural gas in North America. And they are big supporters of Kyoto.

The chances of them cornering the fuel cell market are slim. Not that they won't try. It's just that they're that clueless.

[Carry_Okie]

They got big by acquiring assets of other companies in distress, not through understanding how to find and produce oil economically.

My understanding is that they are particularly good at abetting that distress. Socialism is good for the monster companies because they can use government to assure their continued dominance. Influence buying and funding green groups creates all the pressure they need to force a takeover target into a distressed sale.

With that kind of maneuvering perhaps they can afford to be "incompetent," or perhaps their tactics are somewhat inscrutable?

[Carry_Okie]

BP is the largest producer of natural gas in North America. And they are big supporters of Kyoto.

The chances of them cornering the fuel cell market are slim. Not that they won't try. It's just that they're that clueless.

http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org/factsheet_history.html

	Ballard Power Systems International UTC Fuel Cells XCELLSiS DaimlerChrysler Ford Motor Company General Motors Honda Hyundai Nissan Toyota Volkswagen BP ExxonMobil Shell Hydrogen ChevronTexaco California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board California Energy Commission South Coast AQMD U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency           California Fuel Cell Partnership 3300 Industrial Blvd. Suite1000 W Sacramento, CA 95691 www.fuelcellpartnership.org			California Fuel Cell Partnership CAFCP HISTORY How It Started In January 1999, two state government agencies joined with six private sector companies to form the California Fuel Cell Partnership. The Partnership’s goal is to demonstrate and promote the potential for fuel cell-powered electric vehicles as a clean, safe, and practical alternative to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. When Governor Gray Davis formally announced the Partnership on April 20, 1999 at the State Capitol in Sacramento, California, he said, "California has teamed with some of the best automotive manufacturers and energy providers in the world, to develop an exciting new technology that is both environmentally safe and commercially viable. The Goals The Partnership seeks to: 1. Demonstrate fuel cell technology by operating and testing vehicles on California’s roads; 2. Demonstrate alternative fuel infrastructure technology; 3. Explore the path to commercialization; and 4. Increase public awareness through a coordinated outreach plan. The Organization The Partnership is directed by a Steering Team composed of one executive member from each of the full partners. The Steering Team meets quarterly, and provides policies and direction for the organization. An Executive Director leads the Partnership programs through a Working Group, which a team is comprised of teams focusing on vehicle operations, fuel infrastructure, bus programs, safety, joint studies and communications. The Partnership has an administrative staff on-site at the West Sacramento headquarters facility. The Partners Partners fall into one of four categories: auto, energy, technology and government. Specific qualifying criteria apply for each category, and new partners are added at the invitation of the CaFCP’s Steering Team. Associate partners provide expertise in specific program areas, such as hydrogen or methanol fueling and bus demonstrations. Original Eight Partners: o Fuel cell manufacturer: Ballard Power Systems and UTC Fuel Cells o Automotive manufacturers: DaimlerChrysler and Ford Motor Company o Energy providers: BP, Shell Hydrogen, and ChevronTexaco o Government agencies: California Air Resources Board, and California Energy Commission New Partners and Associate Partners: o New Partners added on October 5, 1999: Honda and Volkswagen o New Partner added on January 26, 2000: U.S. Department of Energy o New Partner added on March 2, 2000: Nissan o New Associate Partners added on January 26, 2000: AC Transit, SunLine Transit Agency, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and Praxair o New Associate Partner added on March 2, 2000: Methanex o New Partner added in April 2000: South Coast Air Quality Management District o New Partner added in June 2000: Hyundai, International Fuel Cells, and the U.S. Department of Transportation o New Partner added in October 2000: GM and Toyota o New Associate Partners added in November 2000: Hydrogen Burner Technology, Pacific Gas & Electric, Proton Energy Systems, Inc., and Stuart Energy Systems o New Partner added in March 2001: ExxonMobil o New Associate Partner added in June 2001: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority o New partner added in July 2002: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency   The West Sacramento Facility The Partnership has constructed a headquarters office in West Sacramento, which houses fuel cell electric vehicles, a hydrogen refueling station, and a methanol fueling station. The facility serves as an operations base for executing the Partnership’s goals of demonstrating fuel cell vehicle technology and an alternative fuel infrastructure. The 55,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility opened in November 2000. Automotive partners DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen occupy indoor garage "bays" designed to house vehicles for routine servicing, repairs, and diagnostic purposes. Energy partners BP, ExxonMobil, Shell Hydrogen and ChevronTexaco along with associate partners Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Praxair jointly designed and built a hydrogen fueling facility, which dispenses compressed hydrogen fuel for the vehicles. A 2,000 gal. Methanol Fueling Station was constructed and commissioned in April 2002 by the Methanol Fuel Cell Alliance of DaimlerChrysler, Ballard, BP, Statoil, BASF and Methanex. Ballard Power Systems leases space at the facility for administrative and technical purposes. For more information, including tours and upcoming events, please visit the California Fuel Cell Partnership at www.fuelcellpartnership.org
The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a collaboration in which several companies and government entities are independent participants. It is not a joint venture, legal partnership, or unincorporated association.
Return to Fact Sheet List

[Dog Gone]

I'm not aware of any situation where they created the conditions that led to an acquisition. What are you referring to?

[Dog Gone]

BP is spending money on fuel cells. No doubt about it. They are also already the biggest manufacturer of solar panels in the world.

That's not a bad thing. Any oil company that plans on being in existence forever needs to think about what happens when the oil runs out. Even the tinfoil hats would have to agree that we're consuming oil at a faster rate than it is being formed.

I don't have any problem with an oil company trying to become an "energy" company. We need that.

What I object to, and I know you do, too, is a company trying to manipulate the market to accomplish its goals, especially if those goals extend beyond a business reason.

Trying to position itself for the future is laudable. Trying to change that future into some "green" utopia where that company owns the world is quite another.

[SierraWasp]

"4. Increase public awareness through a coordinated outreach plan."

Having lived through 4 years of this kind of liberal governmental bureaucraptic lingo... It just makes me wanna blow chuncks!!!

All it means is mega-bucks spent on endless so-called "public service announcements" to blast the sheeple with nattering nazi-nannys nagging us, telling us what should be "our way of life!" (according to them)

That's all that's come out of the "CA energy crisis" is the Dept. of Consumer Affairs with endless PSA's telling us to "Flex Your Power" and that conservation should become "our way of life!"

You can't even listen to "Conservative Talk Radio" without hearing this during every quarter hour segment!!! It just makes me more and more DEFIANT!!! (and irritable)

The only thing worse are those interminable "donate your car to charity" pitches!!!

[farmfriend]

I do my part by driving a '73 Lincoln Continental Mark IV with a 460 in it.

[SierraWasp]

Atta Boy, Girl!!!

I'm gettin so sick of these Jimmy Carter nose-wheel drive whussymobiles with alla their rounded wind-tunnel wimpishness!!!

I like your car, 'cause it says take all that "era of limits" horsepucky and shove it up yer differential and look at this REAL AMERICAN MACHO MOBILE... baby!!!

Whut I like evun bedder is wunna them big 1959 Caddilacksnuthin with some Texas Horns on the hood!!!

[independentmind]

Columnist Robert Novak did the world a tremendous favor by exposing "the Enron Papers," internal memos exposing an extensive campaign to muscle out competitor energy sources by, inter alia, funding greens to scare the world into a "global warming" treaty.

This is news to me. Thanks for posting.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Gotta have this on the Global warming hoax list!

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[Tailgunner Joe]

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