From Samantha Dravis in The Hill:
“A crisis across the pond is foreshadowing what may happen as America looks to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and meet the goals of the Paris Accord.”
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“European nations are experiencing record surging natural gas prices, resulting in halted operations and a rise in energy prices for consumers that have gotten so high some countries have been forced to take action to subsidize customers’ bills.”
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“European countries like Germany and others have for years moved to restrict fossil fuels—citing the need to address climate change and meet the goals of the Paris Accord. Europe has heavily subsidized weather-dependent renewable wind and solar energy, shutting down its coal and nuclear plants. Yet global demand has skyrocketed as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and at the same time, the wind in the North Sea has suddenly stopped blowing over the summer, leading to gas and coal making up for the shortfall.”
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“Europe’s approach to fossil fuels is hypocritical and, frankly, scary because America is planning the same course. President Biden and Democrats are still intent upon passing a massive spending bill that will cost taxpayers trillions in subsidies for wind and sola sound familiar? The bill will also force a new, $150 billion dollar Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) that would require utilities to buy or produce a set amount of renewable energy.”
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“It seems that no matter how many examples are pointed out about the dangers of over-reliance on renewables, policymakers continue to press on toward the same dangerous path of completely banning fossil fuels. “
Image of European parliament by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay.