1-2-14

This is the real objective of the anti-Keystone crowd (besides raising money, of course).

The Nation (1/6/14) reports: “By the end of the summer, distressed property owners and other Kentucky residents had united in an uprising against the pipeline. The project hasn’t aroused much public outcry in the other seven states it would cross. But in Kentucky, the proposed route traverses hallowed terrain: the eponymous Bluegrass Region, where the Kentucky Derby’s prizewinning horses graze; rolling hills pocked by springs, rivers, and aquifers that flow through the limestone soils and give Kentucky bourbon its characteristic taste. Opponents say a pipeline spill could destroy Kentucky’s traditional economies. Signs saying No Proposed Bluegrass Pipeline now line many of the rural roads; one sits at the edge of Reed’s yard. Officials in several counties and one city have passed resolutions protesting the pipeline or pleading with the state or federal government to consider the potential impact on property rights and the environment. Since at least October, land agents hired by the pipeline developers have been privately making deals with property owners—but some, like Reed, say they won’t budge.”

Bright Bulb Award:

“The Center for American Progress claims that these corporate donations made up "less than six percent" of its $42 million annual budget and "less than three percent" for its political action fund. Its 58 corporate donors each contributed at least $10,000, though the thank tank didn't break out specific amounts. The donor list would also have been more instructive if it had included its many wealthy individual donors and foundation and union grants. But apparently that degree of transparency is reserved for libertarians like the Koch brothers.”– Wall Street Journal Editorial Board

(See our commentary: Enviro-Industrial-Governmental Cabal.  -dh)

At least they didn't clear cut all those trees for something like a pipeline.

The Telegraph (1/2/14) reports: “Millions of trees have been chopped down to clear the way for wind farms in Scotland’s countryside since Alex Salmond came to power, according to official figures published today. The Forestry Commission has disclosed that more than 6,200 acres (2,510 hectares) of trees north of the Border have been felled to allow the construction of wind farms since 2007. With the commission estimating that on average 810 trees are planted per acre, this is the equivalent of more than five million being chopped down. Over the same period, fewer than 2,000 acres of trees have been replanted within wind farm sites. This means there has been net loss of around 3.4 million trees to make way for turbines. The cull has been implemented despite the Scottish Government previously insisting it expected energy companies to undertake ‘compensatory replanting’ when trees are destroyed in this way.”

We just can't get enough of this one. 

The Wall Street Journal (1/2/14) reports: “Reporting on the environmental movement has always required a certain sense of humor. And now we have an expedition launched in part to study the melting of Antarctic ice sheets that has been trapped since Christmas in ice so thick that rescue attempts have failed to reach the frozen vessel. In an earlier age, explorers who so badly underestimated the expanse of polar ice would surely have perished. But the 74 passengers and crew of the Akademik Shokalskiy are thriving. An expedition spokesman reports that, ‘Surprisingly, all the passengers seem to be considering it the adventure of a lifetime.’ And why not? The rich abundance of our carbon-based economy has not only provided the means to sustain their lives, but even to post a cheerful sing-along on Youtube. And the helicopters and ships participating in the next rescue attempt aren't powered by renewable-energy credits.”

Please, sir, I want some more.

The Telegraph (12/30/13) reports: “Wind farm companies were paid almost £5 million to switch off their turbines while storms lashed the UK over the festive period and tens of thousands of homes were left without power, according to figures published today. The ‘constraint payments’, which ultimately come from household bills, were payable when the National Grid was unable to cope with the extra power produced during the recent bout of stormy weather or usage was low. More than £4.8 million has been paid out to wind farm companies since December 15, according to figures compiled from official data, almost as much as was handed over in the whole of 2012. The total included more than £1.2 million during the first of the recent storms, on December 19, followed by nearly £800,000 on Christmas Eve, more than £400,000 on Christmas Day and nearly £300,000 last Friday. The money was paid to switch off turbines over a period when winds of up to 100mph hit Britain, with the storms leading to a spate of deaths, travel chaos for millions of people trying to get home for Christmas and power cuts for thousands of homes.”