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Archives: Energy / Articles (page 6)
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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…
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Proposed Tax Increases Threaten to Stunt Oklahoma Recovery
The Oklahoma legislature is considering tax increases on cigarettes, beer, and fuel, along with doubling the severance tax on new oil and natural gas wells. The estimated…
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U.S. International Trade Commission Decision Is Blatant Protectionism
On Friday the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that solar panel manufacturers Suniva and SolarWorld experienced serious injury due to overseas competition. This decision is the result of a…
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The state policy “nuclear renaissance”
A state policy “nuclear renaissance” is underway. In 2007, states considered a total of 27 bills pertaining in some way to nuclear energy. By 2011, this number leaped to 204.
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ITC Hearing Discusses Merits and Woes of Solar Panel Tariffs
The International Trade Commission hosted a public hearing this morning to discuss grounds for possible tariffs on Asian solar imports. Two U.S. solar manufacturing powerhouses, Suniva Inc. and SolarWinds of…
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Energy Innovation: A Key to All of the Above Jobs
Conservative clean energy innovation that focuses on clean coal, nuclear, and hydro power is, “an economic opportunity, a huge job creator,” says conservative businessman Jay Faison.
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Solar Panels, from Sea to Shining Sea?
Whether or not a grand southern border wall solar installation can pay for itself through electricity sales is difficult to predict in the absence of clear, specific proposals and construction plans.
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Opening The Door For Nuclear
Over the past two decades, many states have taken steps to include more “renewable” energy resources in their state portfolios. Ideally, states would simultaneously pursue environmental protection and economic vitality…
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State of the State: California
The governor is right: we cannot “construct some alternate universe of non-facts that we find more pleasing.” California’s economic outlook currently ranks 46th nationally, according to Rich States, Poor States. Ignoring the impending fiscal collapse due to unfunded pension liabilities, failing to reduce the onerous tax burden, and pretending that a state carbon emissions crackdown will alter global climate only will force others to flee Governor Brown’s vision of the future.
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At Long Last—A Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL
President Trump granted the permit necessary to complete the Keystone XL Pipeline. Traversing almost 1,200 miles between northern Alberta and refineries on the Texas gulf coast, the pipeline is expected to…
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State of the State: Hawaii
One of the highest personal income tax rates in the nation and the highest sales tax burden in the nation, and forced unionization all contribute to Hawaii’s 42nd place economic outlook ranking according to ALEC’s annual Rich States, Poor States publication.
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Carbon Tax Straight Talk
Shultz and Baker label a massive tax increase and economic meddling by the federal government as “embodying the conservative principles of free markets and limited government” but this carbon tax will needlessly further distort energy markets, harm consumers, expand government bureaucracy, and have minimal (if any) effect on global climate change. For these reasons, ALEC remains steadfastly opposed to “all Federal and state efforts to establish a carbon tax on fuels for electricity and transportation.”
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The Stream Protection Rule Gets Axed
While traveling about the country on his post-election thank you tour, President-elect Donald J. Trump frequently remarked that he and his supporters had together “made history.” Just four weeks…
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Maryland General Assembly Overrides Governor Hogan’s Veto, Expands Renewable Portfolio Standard
As much of the nation’s attention remains fixated on the opening weeks of the Trump presidency, state legislatures around the country continue their work writing, debating and implementing policy, some…
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Climate Change: Who is in Denial, and About What?
President Trump’s nominees consistently stated climate change represents a risk; it is not a hoax; human activity contributes; the United States should be part of the conversation about global policy responses.