Category Archives: Energy

A Good Idea and A Stupid Idea

Posted on February 11, 2011 by mcblogger

First up, there’s a study commissioned by TXDOT that advocates tolling a lane on I35, changing it’s designation and shifting it the designation to TX 130 from Georgetown to Buda. From the stand point of relieving congestion through Austin Metro, … Continue reading →

Posted in Austin, Energy, Technology, Texas | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Calling Bullshit : Perry, ERCOT and failure to keep Texans warm

Posted on February 2, 2011 by mcblogger

Like all of you, I woke up to the news this AM that Texas would be enjoying rolling blackouts. Apparently, there’s some ‘problem’ at undisclosed generation stations. Now, I think that sounds just a wee bit fishy, especially since this … Continue reading →

Posted in Calling Bullshit, Energy, Stupid Republican Tricks, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Not so much with peak oil?

Posted on January 18, 2010 by mcblogger

Now this is interesting… especially since it kinda drops cold water on the case for higher oil prices. Share on Facebook

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Asking the poor to foot the bill…

Posted on September 22, 2009 by mcblogger

A few well meaning people have a problem with Austin Energy’s plan to implement a climate change plan because it will increase prices for low income customers. Rep. Rodriguez has a very well written (and well thought out) smackdown. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Austin, Energy | 2 Comments

Why is gas still so high?

Posted on July 30, 2009 by mcblogger

It’s the speculation, stupid. Gasoline futures on Nymex have risen every day since July 13 and prices have jumped 28 cents in less than two weeks. “There’s just a crowd behavior, and it’s forcing prices above what it should be,” … Continue reading →

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Green Exxon?

Posted on July 15, 2009 by mcblogger

Not really, but it’s a start… ExxonMobil and biotech firm Synthetic Genomics (SGI) announced on Tuesday a new alliance to rproduce alternative fuel made from photosynthetic algae. ExxonMobil expects to spend more than $600 million on the project–$300 million internally … Continue reading →

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My new favorite ad…

Posted on February 27, 2009 by mcblogger

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Deregulation FAIL

Posted on February 10, 2009 by mcblogger

In 1999, Texas deregulated the retail electricity market. Austin kept it’s municipal power company and remained regulated. Since 1999, rates have increased by 25% in Austin. In the deregulated parts of Texas, rates have gone up 64%. The industry wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy, Texas | Comments Off

The first step…

Posted on December 30, 2008 by mcblogger

…toward practical fusion. In the spring, a team will begin attempts to ignite a tiny man-made star inside a laboratory and trigger a thermonuclear reaction. Its goal is to generate temperatures of more than 100 million degrees Celsius and pressures … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Science4Dumbies | 1 Comment

Oil : How low do we go…

Posted on December 5, 2008 by mcblogger

This is one of the best pieces written on the oil market and the current position. The reality is that speculation was driving up prices (we talked about this) in concert with the weak dollar. I wrote that piece in … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy | Comments Off