Manufacturing uses electricity, Tourism uses gas. Michigan relies on both to feed and provide for families.
In the last several years, we have seen an increase in the price of energy on a scale that eclipses the nation’s inflation rate. Winter heating, electric both causing families to budget a little differently, as some heating bills approach and surpass car payment status even with budget planning in place. Michigan families must struggle while central planning fails to solve this current crisis.
As I see it…
1. There are not enough players in the energy business.
2. Oil technology is not being utilized to its fullest.
3. Government gets in the way of fuel economy
Michigan can do little to solve the crisis by itself, other than avoid worthless CO2 reducing schemes, but the people can write congressional leaders to encourage reduction in the regulatory process which could allow the quicker development of smaller oil production and refining firms, and stimulate real competitiveness.
Additional oil firms would stimulate use of current and new oil technology adding efficiency, and reducing costs as the competitors attempt to gain market share. (a basic economic principle) Additionally, manufacturing industries which serve these markets would see growth in their customer base. Michigan could capitalize on this if the tax structure were correct, but what manufacturer would locate here with the lunacy in our current state government?
Federal government safety, pollution, and manufacturing standards are in a constant state of flux, usually becoming overly aggressive on the side of safety, clean air, and “feel good” politics. Who can argue against clean air? Who can argue safety? Troubling however, is when government solutions become more problematic than the issues they attempt to solve.
R-12 is an example of politics dictating policy, and demonstrates how an irrational environmental mindset can do more harm than good.. to it’s own cause. The efficiency of R-12 has not, and cannot be disputed. It is/was the best most efficient refrigerant ever developed by man, (in Michigan if I am not mistaken) yet through some initial theoretical labs (not actual real monitoring) it was shown to bond with ozone. Of course this was not acceptable to politicos who are here to protect us from ourselves, so legislation was crafted to replace it with a substitute refrigerant which did not bond with ozone.
Problem. The new refrigerant was poisonous. R-12 was not, unless exposed to fire. Further, the tests continued even after the R-12 had been officially replaced. R-12 could not be shown to be bonding in actual conditions which were used as examples to create the legislation in the first place! Then, there was an efficiency decrease which caused the use of more energy to be used in the refrigeration process. Also, one must consider the people who switched over their R-12 systems. Where did it go? hmmmm?
The efficiency issue of refrigerants is now addressed with seemingly better substitutes, but the point being made here, is that much happened in the political arena driven by knee jerk environmental activism. Governor Granholm spoke at an economic club meeting in Traverse City a few days ago and apparently brought up the plan to “bury CO2.” Seriously.. Do you think she has a clue as to the possible impact of this type of project? What about long term chemical reaction to the minerals which will house it? I don’t know the answers to these things, but I am at least skeptical. Anyhow, CO2 is much ado over nothing in my less than humble opinion.
Cars and economy are a wonder of government as well. 20 years ago I had the opportunity to drive a Mercury Lynx Diesel. It got 60 miles to the gallon. It was also a solidly built car with quite a bit of pep. Where did it go? Why are we excited to see 30MPG cars now.. two decades later? How about the 1988 Buick LeSabre we had, that got 32 MPG around town? Two words: “Ralph” and “Nader.” OK, maybe not just Ralph, but certainly his brand of protecting us from ourselves has added to costs we pay, and absolutely more fossil fuel emissions as legislators turn toward safety trying to build the perfect safe ride.
Oh yeah.. thats right they don’t build…. Point made yet?