Archives: Energy / Articles
Archives: Energy / Articles (page 4)
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Colonial Pipeline and DarkSide: Cyber Attacks Have Real World Consequences
Cyber attacks can have real world consequences. Take, for example, an attempt by Russia-based hacking group DarkSide to extort money from Colonial Pipeline. By installing and executing ransomware on…
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Texas Energy Crisis 2.0?
Just two months after the devastating energy crisis in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) initiated yet another alert last month calling for Texans to conserve energy…
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Higher Electricity Prices on the Horizon for Virginia?
With the 20th lowest electricity prices among the 50 states, the Commonwealth of Virginia currently ranks in the top half of ALEC’s new Energy Affordability Report. At the time…
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Key ALEC Policy Ideas for 2021
Our entire policy department at ALEC is busy analyzing the best free market ideas to add to the important discussions taking place across the states and at the federal level…
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Tracking State Policies for Hydrogen Vehicles in 2020
Plug-in electric vehicles have seen a growth in market share over the past decade. Some consumers are attracted to their green reputation, and states are subsidizing sales through various incentive…
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Pipeline Project Hindered by Legal Uncertainties
Late last month, ALEC published an article celebrating a Supreme Court victory for the much-anticipated Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Following this article’s publication, the two primary investors behind the pipeline,…
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Atlantic Coast Pipeline Scores Big in U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in favor of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, allowing for construction of the pipeline to pass underneath a section of the…
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Production Quotas: A Policy Cure Worse than the Disease?
For decades, the United States has feared a production quota from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that could drive up the global price of oil and spark a…
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Coronavirus Response Resources Pages for Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Agencies and Associations
As everyone deals with responses to the Coronavirus in your home states, please consult the following resources from government agencies and trade associations in the energy, environment, and agriculture sectors.
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What “Chernobyl” Gets Wrong About Nuclear Power
With HBO’s hot new show Chernobyl, nuclear power has been thrust into public discussion. While many talk about whether the show overplays the dangers of nuclear; a more important discussion…
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Affordable and Efficient Cars, Not Federal Mandates
A large SUV that can fit the whole family? A fuel-efficient subcompact? How about muscle car? Americans enjoy a range of options when it comes to buying vehicles and a…
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Taxes Threaten Affordable Energy
Since 2013, new processes for extracting natural gas revealed a bountiful resource that burned cleaner, cheaper, and more efficiently than many alternatives. The natural gas boom has created thousands of…
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An Inconvenient Tort: CA Court Affirms that Climate Policy Should Be Handled by Congress, Agencies
On June 25, Federal District Court Judge William Alsup threw out a case brought by the cities of Oakland and San Francisco which sought to hold five major oil…
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New Hampshire Governor’s Veto Helps Majority of Ratepayers
Last month, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu vetoed a bill related to the state’s net metering program. By vetoing the bill, Governor Sununu helped the average ratepayer in New Hampshire…
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Trouble in Paradise: Hawaii Governor Ige Acknowledges Livability Concerns
The governor took note of several pressing concerns—energy, affordable housing, education, and income growth. However, many of his solutions threaten to aggravate the underlying problems.
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New Mexico State of the State: Governor Applauds Economic Diversification and Pushes for Comprehensive Tax Reform
The governor’s proposals for comprehensive tax reform, economic diversification, infrastructure spending prioritization, and education reform can generate longer-term opportunities. However, additional changes are needed. The state’s tort system and worker’s compensation costs remain economic drags. The relative lack of tax and expenditure limits and 8th highest number of state employees per capita contribute to a bloated state government.
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Alaska State of the State: Governor Calls for Expanded Energy Production along with Higher Taxes
Governor Walker's wholehearted support for a continued energy production renaissance, energy infrastructure development, and expanded international trade bode well for an Alaskan economic rebound. However, the continued advocacy for income taxes and sales taxes combined with lack of acknowledgement of much-needed operational reforms threatens to negatively counter those pro-growth actions.
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Wyoming State of the State: Fiscal Soundness Despite Setbacks in Energy Sector of Economy
Wyoming enjoys the 8th best economic outlook in the nation, according to Rich States, Poor States. This outlook has failed to translate into performance largely due to numerous macroeconomic factors and regulatory measures. The governor’s commitment to state regulatory reform, bureaucratic downsizing, and budget reform has resulted in the state weathering this storm with a strong balance sheet and low taxes. Rather than resort to higher taxes or centrally planned economic development, the continuation of a business-friendly climate is needed to incentivize further diversification and future growth of the economy.
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Washington State of the State: Governor Inslee Repeats Demand for Destructive Carbon Tax
In addition to a massive carbon tax, Governor Inslee called for workforce development initiatives, healthcare regulations, and myriad new social regulations. In aggregate, this big government agenda would impede the business climate and economic growth of the state.
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California State of the State: A High Speed Train of Taxes and Spending
California Governor Jerry Brown boldly championed an unabashedly liberal agenda throughout his 16th—and final—State of the State address. The governor declared, “California is prospering,” a stark turnaround from the economic…