Research Brief
Energy
Environment
Exploring market-based solutions to the most pressing environmental issues facing North Carolina.
Energy
Ecological Disaster from One Broken Offshore Wind Turbine Blade
Last week in The Carolina Journal, I discussed an emerging ecological disaster with ramifications for North Carolina. Policymakers should heed the warning. On July 13, a single blade broke on…
Energy
John Locke Foundation Nominated for State Policy Network’s Prestigious “Most Influential Research” Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Raleigh, NC – The John Locke Foundation is honored to announce its nomination for the State Policy Network’s Bob Williams “Most Influential Research” Award. This prestigious recognition…
Research Brief
Energy
Congress Should Stop the EPA’s Dangerous Power Plant Rule
The EPA power plant rule would effectively close down all baseload coal power plants and prevent them from being replaced with natural gas plants. The rule coincides dangerously with the…
Energy
Is a Bad Hurricane Season Because of Man-Made Climate Change? No
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year. The prediction hinges on “a quick transition to La Niña conditions, which are conducive…
Research Brief
Energy
Lawsuit: Feds Zeroed Out Expected Right Whale Deaths from Virginia Offshore Wind
A lawsuit against a massive offshore wind project in Virginia says the project will result in far more North Atlantic Right Whale deaths than the critically endangered population can sustain.…
Research Brief
Energy
Virginia Offshore Wind Project Sued to Save North Atlantic Right Whales
A lawsuit against the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project seeks redress from the courts to uphold the Endangered Species Act and save the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales. Among…
Research Brief
Energy
How “Only Pay for What You Get” Would Help North Carolina Electricity Customers
Model legislation known as the “Only Pay for What You Get” Act would let utilities earn a profit on only the reliable portions of power plants. Analysis showed that, given current expansion plans, Only Pay would result…
Energy
WRAL Nixes ‘Renewable Energy Drives Higher Power Bills’ Headline
Raleigh news station WRAL has a consumer reports feature aimed at helping North Carolinians save money and be better consumers. It’s called “5 On Your Side.” On April 11, WRAL’s…
Research Brief
Energy
Model Bill To Align Power Company Incentives with Customers’ Needs
Under current law, a power utility in North Carolina can expect full cost recovery and profits on building new power plants, regardless of their reliability. This structure incentivizes overbuilding the…
Energy
Warning of Solar Power Loss During Eclipse Forgets It Happens Every Night, All Night
Duke Energy, General Assembly, Utilities Commission, capacity factor, output factor, dispatchable, energy, natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, offshore wind, onshore wind, hydro, hydroelectricity, emissions, CO2, consumers, electric power, electricity,…
Research Brief
Energy
Rising Power Bills Stem from Bad Policy Choices and Incentives
Power bills are going up quickly in North Carolina. The problem is multifaceted, starting with the state’s Carbon Plan to close down working coal plants and dictate how to replace…
Energy
Biden’s EV Dictates Face Two Big Problems: Buyers and Sellers
Gov. Roy Cooper wants 50 percent of new car sales in North Carolina to be electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, and amid his Covid-fueled mania of releasing executive orders, he had…