A recent op-ed in the Dallas Morning News highlighted the failed science of those attempting to implement energy policies claiming to reach zero carbon emission. Scott Tinker, the director of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote:
“Policies have been implemented in the U.S. and around the world in recent years that had the well-intended goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Data now make it clear that intentions do not always result in desired outcomes. It’s time for states, corporate leaders and presidential aspirants to offer a dose of emissions honesty. Only then will we begin to address the difficult challenges of both economic stability and actual global emissions reductions.”
Using California as an example, Tinker illustrated how attempts to limit natural gas usage has proven to be unnecessary and counterproductive:
“The state consumes about three times as much energy as it produces. Yet California is shrinking natural gas, shutting down zero-emissions nuclear, mandating renewables, and importing about 25% of its electricity from other western regions that make much of their electricity from coal, natural gas and hydro. Although California claims a path to lower emissions, it doesn’t fully account for the emissions produced by out-of-state electricity or for emissions related to the manufacturing of imported products. California pays about twice as much for electricity as most other states, a highly regressive economic impact.”
Tinker also highlighted how New York’s ban on natural gas pipelines is harming the environment:
“The state also won’t build natural gas pipelines, suggesting that natural gas be brought in on ships, trucks and trains (all running on diesel), all of which pose a higher likelihood of accidents than do pipelines. And like California, New York pays about two times as much for electricity as do most other states.”
While environmentalist groups in Texas – often run by and/or funded by people from California or New York – try to implement these failed policies in Texas, it is worth noting the shale revolution in Texas has helped contribute to the U.S. leading the world in cutting carbon emissions last year.
