Gore's Energy Plan: $5 Trillion and Counting

July 21, 2008 RSS Feed Print

Russell Roberts, George Mason University econ professor and blogger over at Café Hayek, E-mails me to tell me that my $5 trillion estimate of the cost of Al Gore's 10-year, zero-carbon-emission energy plan could be a bit low.

If 20% of something costs $1 trillion, how much would 40% cost? If it's two trillion, that's linear, and so on so the whole thing would cost $5 trillion. But replacing the first 20% of US energy with wind, solar and a bunch of people pedalling isn't going to be the same as replacing the second 20%. My presumption is that the second fifth is harder than the first fifth. For example, if you replace 20%, you might use solar in the sunniest parts of the country. But what about the non-sunny parts that aren't windy? Those are going to cost more.

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Let us not forget that past behavior is often a precursor to future activities.

When Al Gore entered the White House with Bill Clinton in 1992, one of the first thing he talked about was a "carbon tax".

He was only the V.P. of course, so no one paid much attention.

Then, there was his answer to Rachel Carson's book; "Silent Spring"; Gore's own tome, "Earth in the Balance".

Al's been on this bandwagon a long time, so I do believe he is sincere in at least part of his posturing.

However, one need only look to the so called "documentary", "An Inconvenient Truth" and the distortions therein to realize he's off on another tack.

I don't think it's the money, per se, but I do think it's a pursuit of power and status. (the money doesn't hurt, either)

In my 62 years on the planet, I have never seen such a propaganda campaign such as this.

When the news media, a weather channel, prominent actors, politicians and the like all try to convince me of something, I immediately ask who's going to benefit?

Everyone pushing this global warming scenario has something coming their way if we buy into it.

And "buy" is the operative word here.

This thing is going to lower our standard of living simply by virtue of the added taxes on energy that the government is going to demand.

That's the cost factor alone. Sooner or later, they're going to start talking about rationing.

The Center for Data Analysis estimates that a bill already proposed (S.2191 Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act), will result in G.D.P. losses of at least $1.7 trillion immediately, reaching $4.8 trillion by year 2030.

Additionally, annual job losses will exceed 500,000 and the average household energy tab will increase by $467 per year.

In short, we are asked to cripple our economy, destroy our standard of living and give up our future economic security for a THEORY.

Yes, a theory. There is no scientific proof that global warming or climate change has anything to do with man made activities.

Consensus is NOT science.

There used to be a "consensus" that the earth was flat.

There used to be a "consensus" that the Sun and stars revolved around the earth.

There used to be a "consensus" that man could not safely travel at a speed faster than a galloping horse, lest he be torn to pieces.

The examples are endless.

But in this day of politically funded scientific studies, I fear we have entered a new "Dark Ages".

Make no mistake about it. Global Warming has nothing to do with climate and everything to do with raising taxes and giving the government total control over everything do, or aspire to do.

THOMAS WILLIAMS of TX 9:50AM July 22, 2008

GORE'S PLAN IN A FEW WORDS. DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO!

whs806 of TX 9:15PM July 21, 2008

Hi Rich,

That's a great guess, but Al Gore has admitted all along that he has enough money for life. I'm not saying I beleive what he's saying 100%, but he believes this to be true. So in his heart he's doing the right thing according to him.

With that being said, bringing the conversation about global warming could be one of the best things for Americans. We don't realize how lucky we have it. We live in one of the greatest countries in the world. We need to use some restraint though. We also need to have some gratitude for the things that we have.Energy efficiency is needed for sure. I support solar, wind etc, but I also support nuclear. Many people in the environmnetal community don't. His goal of 100% is off base perhaps, but you got to give him credit for bringing this conversation to the main stream. Global warming is caused by natural cycles, but the majority of scientist believe man is speeding the process up. Let's stop blaming and start to do something about this.

Joe H of CT 5:57PM July 21, 2008

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