There’s no Utopia. There’s no Utopian energy.
I have an article I’d like to share with you. The author is Brian Gitt and his article is titled, “Chasing Utopian Energy: How I Wasted 20 Years of My Life.” You’ll find the article here.
Mr. Gitt self-describes as an energy entrepreneur, investor and writer. In his piece he details his career as a clean energy activist and later as CEO of a consulting firm that “commercialized clean energy technologies.”
For the purpose of his article he defines “utopian energy” as energy that is, “abundant, reliable, inexpensive, and also clean, renewable, and life-sustaining.” He details in the article his personal journey that led him to conclude that utopian energy is the same as utopian society – which is to say, a fantasy.
I’m sure Mr. Gitt is a very bright man but I’m going to be so bold as to say that I could have saved him those 20 years. That’s because I came to understand at an early age that there is no energy source anywhere that is environmentally benign.
Let’s take so-called “zero emission” electric vehicles as an example. EVs require very large batteries and those batteries require lithium, a strategic mineral, the market for which is controlled almost totally by China. Lithium requires copious amounts of water to mine in a process that creates enormous environmental damage – not that the Chinese have ever been particularly fastidious when it comes to the environment.
The electricity to charge those batteries comes mostly from burning natural gas or coal to generate heat to boil water to create steam to turn electric generating turbines. Zero emissions? Hardly.
The greenies therefore tout wind and solar power. But they never mention the massive amount of land that must be commandeered for wind farms and the wholesale slaughter of migratory birds that wind farms cause. They never talk about the rare earth materials (again, largely controlled by China) that must be mined and processed to make solar panels. (Never mind that while the need for energy is constant, the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine.)
Gitt’s article does a good job of deconstructing the mythology of the green energy movement. It concludes with a list of eight principles by which we should evaluate energy policy, the most important of which he lists first.
“Does an energy source enable a country to maintain its autonomy? Controlling access to critical minerals and natural resources to make affordable, reliable energy is a precondition for liberty and self-determination. Relying on energy imports or minerals from other countries puts a nation at risk.”
The Carter administration was apparently of the same mind and thus created the U.S Department of Energy in 19770 for the purpose of achieving “energy independence” following the 1973 Arab oil embargo.
What an irony it is that 45 years later, that same department makes no mention of energy independence at all, and is now promoting policy that merely substitutes batteries from China over oil from the Middle East.
The whole “ Man made climate crisis “ is a lie . It is all about money and control of the people.
I have to agree with your view of Donald Trump. He did so much good for America, but his ego just left everyone in awe, friends and foes alike. I hope the next Republican president uses him as a (silent) advisor.
Thanks, Ron
THANK GOD I had a BRILLIANT science teacher in high school who choose to give us the TRUTH of climate changes and geological formations and such. And anyone with the least bit of COMMON SENSE can figure out that climate CHANGE is NOT MAN MADE. All this has been going on long before man arrived on Earth. Can’t believe it took him 20 years to figure that out. He must have been really blue pilled!
I have written this before, but it is worth reviewing since it is 100% about wind energy. In a past job, I was able to visit a plant in Coleman, Texas that assembles the huge wind turbines. What started me thinking and doing some crude math was watching the trains bring in the massive tower pieces; they are too large to be placed on trucks; unlike the blades of the windmill (each blade is slightly over 90 feet in length ) and are trucked to the various assembly plants. Now, let’s start from the beginning at the landowner. Someone must make a deal with the landowner to lease their property to carve out the engineered site for construction. If anyone has traveled IH-20 west beyond Abilene, Tx. one begins to see the wind fields. Where are they placed? On the highest points and peaks to maximize unimpeded wind from any direction. How much do you think it costs to construct a road to the top of those points and peaks? So, we have the planning and engineering phase, the procurement of the lease, the raw materials to purchase, the manufacturing of the blades, tower pieces, motors, the transportation to an assembly area. Then another transportation charge to carry the pieces out to the site of erection of the wind turbine itself. Toss in the support infrastructure of the power lines, towers, engineering, and site preparation of that. It is a massive undertaking to say the least to construct one wind field; never mind hundreds. Let me back up a bit, the assembled or partially assembled towers must be trucked to the sites; probably at night when traffic is minimal. In looking at all the costs that go into one wind field; how much electricity must be generated and sold to pay for all that? Do not forget the maintenance and repair costs as well. They are mechanical and they do malfunction, break down, and have routine service costs attached. I really cannot see how all those wind fields are going to reap a profit, except for the landowner maybe. Someone has to pay for all that. I am sure our Federal Government offers subsidies on our dime to pay for these. No one can convince me this side of the “Green Energy” is cost effective or good for us. Let’s not forget how unsightly these monsters are in ruining a view of the countryside.
Thanks so much for sharing Brian Gitt’s “Chasing Utopian Energy: How I Wasted 20 Years of My Life.” I hope all you readers will take the time to read Mr. Gitt’s article. “Chasing Utopian Energy” is one of the best distillations of the argument against the green energy agenda. The green agenda as currently defined has about as much chance of success as making the sun rise in the west.
As I often do, I will pass your thoughts and Mr. Gitt’s along to the 30,000+ customers who receive my company’s weekly email.
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I sense in these type conversations about energy and other subjects especially political ones, I wonder if people are trying to convince themselves of something as much as maybe their audience . There is no ” Utopia” in anything, that’s a given. Change creates fear of the unknown, and the potential always of sacrifice, many people say they care about a lot of things and are open to change,trying something new,as long as there are no inconveniences even if temporary to their lives and comfort zone. Until change that may lead to some greater good eventually,can be done in regards to many “socital ills” not just energy is painless in every way, we’ll just keep doing what we’ve always done,wait till it’s far to late. There will always be excuses, downplay, good to be living now, sure wouldn’t want to be a youngster coming up fifty years from now,what a mess the world is likely to be, oh well,be in the moment some say.
There was a forecast for a looming ice age less than 50 years ago, but Mother Nature did not cooperate. Not to be deterred, the activists switched tactics to predicting global warming around 25 years ago, but again, Mother Nature (being of the female mindset) changed her mind, and did not cooperate. Surely, those two diametrically opposed prophesies that failed would discourage these climate Socialist activists? Oh no, they now have the foolproof scheme of “climate change” to scare the gullible! The most radical proponents of this crusade are laughing all the way to the bank in their private jets and homes built on the same coastlines that will soon be underwater. If studying the science is too difficult, just pay attention to the lifestyles of those beating the drums the loudest about this inevitable disaster.
Laughing all the way to the bank as the Petroleum companies are now with their record profits, and have been grossly subsidized with tax dollars since forever. No difference, everything is about money regardless. They are all about getting our money. I think I’m going to send some of my money to the ” Stop the Steal” or maybe ” Save America Foundation” I believe it’s called, get me a little piece of mind so I can sleep better at night,fear is exhausting don’t ya know.
All points well taken!
The problem today is not your average person on the street, such as “Joe the Plumber” can run for Congress. Whomever wishes to make a serious run at being elected must meet with the DNC or RNC and get their approval first. And then the money to have a decent chance of winning is crazy stupid for the “lowly” representative position; never mind a Senator, whether State (which is in the millions) or Federal (many millions of dollars). The political machines have successfully weeded out the so-called little guy or gal. The real issue is we keep voting these people into office. Why, because no other person has a realistic chance of winning. And, who in their right mind would want to try and tackle the “Swamp” of State Government, much less the Federal level? I know of two people in my 62 years that would step up and try. That is a shame.
That’s is a valid point, but does Bobert ,Green, Gohmert, sound familiar, just to name a few. These people along with others have helped turn the Republican party into the ” Hold my Beer and watch this Party”, it’s hard to imagine that the majority of conservatives want this kind of representation. I realize having a 3rd grade mentality President was somehow appealing and still is. The days of making any sense of this stuff is long gone apparently. USA, home of the free and the brave and the juvenile elected officials.
Traitor Trump chose to run as a Republican for one very simple reason, its certainly not based on morals or ethics for sure, you know the whole family values etc sphill,and yes he’s a goofball in many ways but doesn’t take a genius to figure some things out. His reason is certainly not a complimentary one either,and it doesn’t mean there aren’t some bright folks who claim to be conservative ( Republican), business owners who’s primary sole concern is their greater good no one else’s logically would be. Of course Democrats aren’t really any different in that regard. I wonder why he chose that party ?
So Sleepy Joe is not a traitor? Slam dunk on his dealings with China, Russia, and The Ukraine seems more than enough for treasonous behavior. Obama making deals with Iran; THE number one sponsor of State Terrorism. Crooked Hillary selling uranium to Russia; the Uranium One deal is o.k.? Bill Clinton renting the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House to the Chinese???? Really??? Clinton Foundation’s deals with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other nations that hate us and wish us dead. Need I go on?
Wow ! 20 wrongs don’t make a right !! So you would agree their all Traitors then ,right ? Including Trump ? Of course Trump did it in style for sure, took it to a whole new level, but that’s how he is ,go big . He went big , and like a sniveling little ” man child” he went to MaraLago, poor thing,now all he has to do is count the money coming in to his ” Save America Foundation ” or whatever he’s grifting .
Professor Evans, you are now among the 12% of Americans who feel that our country is on the right track. Congratulations! Boy, would I like to get that 12% in a group photo! By the way, why don’t you check to see how much of his presidential salary that “the Big Guy” is contributing to charities. At least Trump made his money in private enterprise, and not feeding for his entire life at the government trough!
Wow,so that’s what you get from all I’ve said that I think country is on the right track ,ok,to be expected. It never sisez to amaze this need to defend that guy regardless ,incredible. Private enterprise LOL ! Tax dodging helped I’m sure, charities that they pilfered( one was Veteran related),the University scandle lawsuit they lost ” Trump University ” remember that one.And all the donations that have and may still be coming in from his different grifts some I’ve already mentioned ,Save America Foundation, Stop the Steal . But hey he declared he would donate his salary while in office so that makes up for it all, whatever works for ya. Does being a “Draft Dodger” cause any loss of points ? Oh never mind, it’s all the same,Save America indeed.
Professor Evans, O.K.? Now would you list the charities that are benefitting from the forfeited salaries of the “big guy”? The Hunter Biden Benevolence Fund does not count. After you post that exhaustive list, would you then remind this forum of the branch of the U.S. military in which the “big guy” served?
It doesn’t matter Ron, this isn’t a comparison contest , I don’t like or care for either man. I’m simply baffled by this seemingly allegiance, infatuation, or whatever for another man that is walking on this planet as we are,despite all the “Pink Elephants” in the room. No US President has ever done anything particularly remarkable in any form or fashion to deserve and seemingly be reverred as some folks demonstrate with that goof ball .I simply can’t relate,but I admit unfortunately it’s entertaining.