Wednesday, August 22, 2012
CAFE standards, a ban on most incandescent light bulbs, and restrictions on the amount of water a toilet can use are all examples of government-mandated efficiency. But given the varying interests and situations of 300 million Americans, they’re a horribly inefficient way to run a society. Kenneth P. Green of the American Enterprise Institute summarizes [...]
The political world that has brought us more highway deaths through CAFE rules (mandating econoboxes) and the TSA (prompting more people to drive, a more dangerous means of transportation than flying) may also be bringing us more cancer deaths, in the name of saving the earth from global warming, climate change, or whatever it is [...]
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
For centuries, people have pursued “something out of nothing” dreams such as alchemy and perpetual motion machines. The latest example may be on exhibit in a remote part of western Michigan. Mason County, better known as the home of Ludington State Park, is one of the latest parts of the country to get a wind [...]
As a nation, we’ve made great strides in combining growing the economy and cleaning up air pollution. But as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting up to roll out nine new new rules or regulations, most of which are related to coal-powered electricity, it’s worth asking, “Is the gain worth the pain?” The report, Economy Derailed: [...]
Will the U.S. House vote to repeal the ban-that’s-not-a-ban on incandescent bulbs? Henry Payne is optimistic, but as last night, The Hill had a different opinion: “House Democrats on Monday indicated strong opposition to a controversial bill to repeal federal lightbulb standards, which could lead to the defeat of the measure in an expected Tuesday vote.” Read that sentence [...]
Writing on the “it’s not a ban (wink, wink) on incandescent bulbs, Jacob Sullum points out some other problems with the arbitrary law: the higher prices on replacement bulbs mean “people will have to spend more money on light bulbs and less on other things they value more.” To be sure, light bulbs are not [...]
David Boaz reminds us that Steven Chu, the secretary of energy, has won a Nobel Prize in physics. In other words, he’s a super-duper smart guy. I am impressed by Chu’s knowledge of physics. But of anything else? That’s another story. Chu, remember, is the guy who said of the ban, “We are taking away a [...]
There are several reasons to reverse the ban on incandescent light bulbs, but here’s a good political one: It’s a rebuke to those who act not as public servants, but as arrogant overlords. Secretary of Energy Commerce Steven Chu recently defended the ban. In comments quoted by the Wall Street Journal, he said, We are taking away a [...]
Apparently Rep. Fred Upton really has seen the light. The Hill reports that Upton hopes to bring to the floor next week a vote on the repeal of energy efficiency standards (a bill he once co-sponsored) that effectively bans incandescent light bulbs. “The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), would repeal sections of a 2007 energy [...]
A new media outlet for me: National Review Online. Here’s Henry Payne, editor of the Michigan View and contributor to NRO’s blog “Planet Gore,” on my comments about the bulb ban. *** Next Week: House Vote on Bulb-Ban Repeal Apparently Rep. Fred Upton really has seen the light. John LaPlante writes at The Michigan View that the [...]