The Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is taking a stand for ethanol. He claims that the government support of ethanol has created jobs that will be lost when the government relinquishes its $0.45 per gallon subsidy due to expire at the end of this year. In fact, he promotes government assistance in building a larger market forContinue reading “Food For Fuel”
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Shale Gas Shock
The Global Warming Policy Foundation just released a detailed report about the shale gas revolution and its implications for international climate policy. The report, The Shale Gas Shock, written by Matt Ridley and with a foreword by Professor Freeman Dyson, finds the following on shale gas: it is not only abundant but relatively cheap and therefore promisesContinue reading “Shale Gas Shock”
Does the government perpetuate American Indian poverty?
Fox Business News correspondent John Stossel ignited a fire under many viewers when he accused American Indians of being government freeloaders. He returned to that issue in early May with a debate between PERC’s Terry Anderson and Indian activist Elizabeth Homer. Anderson is a noted expert on Indian economies. He points an accusing finger at the governmentContinue reading “Does the government perpetuate American Indian poverty?”
Where’s the Peak for Oil Reserves?
Global crude oil reserves are on the rise, even though consumption is increasing. How can this be true for a finite resource? Proved oil reserves are the estimated volume of oil that exists in underground pools and can be extracted under current economic and technological conditions. It then makes sense that proved reserves would increaseContinue reading “Where’s the Peak for Oil Reserves?”
Tribute to P.J. Hill
There are a few very special teachers of economics. Paul Heyne was one. Ken Elzinga is another. And PJ Hill is another. That’s Pete Boettke commemorating the teaching career of PERC’s very own P.J. Hill, who is retiring from teaching at Wheaton College this week. Here is an excellent tribute to Prof. Hill written by a former student.Continue reading “Tribute to P.J. Hill”
Radio Interview: Roger Meiners on Green Energy
Today, Roger Meiners discussed The False Promise of Green Energy on the Mark Davis Show in Dallas, Texas. You can listen here.
Gas Prices (gasp): What Bogeyman?
Similar to politicians from the past, President Obama is pointing fingers at bogeymen for causing higher gas prices. In the past it has been toward people like me for driving a SUV, or non-hybrid mini-van as it would be. Last week Obama created a task force to root out fraudulent speculators. Whether speculators are fraudulentContinue reading “Gas Prices (gasp): What Bogeyman?”
A Midweek PERC Roundup
A midweek roundup from PERC fellows: 1. Roger Meiners writes that Colorado’s attempts to legislate its way towards green energy will harm the state’s economy by making energy more expensive and less reliable. 2. Andrew P. Morriss says the U.S. can’t afford to scrap nuclear power. 3. Laura Huggins answers the question: has the age ofContinue reading “A Midweek PERC Roundup”
The ‘Green Economy’: False Promise or Energy Revolution?
Last week, Andrew P. Morriss of PERC debated Kate Gordon of the Center for American Progress on The False Promise of Green Energy, a new book by PERC scholars. The event was held at the Cato Institute and is now available to watch online. Andy’s remarks are also the subject of today’s Cato Daily Podcast. Listen here:
Politics of Endangered Species
Buried in the continuing resolution funding the federal government for the remainder of 2011 is a rider that delists the gray wolf as an endangered species in Montana and Idaho. The rider had bipartisan sponsorship from Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat, and Rep. Michael K. Simpson, Idaho Republican, but the public reaction is anything butContinue reading “Politics of Endangered Species”