Biden's latest cabinet pick - Rep. Haaland (D. NM) ...

[cmm3rd]

for Secretary of the Interior, was announced late Thursday. She is an ardent opponent of fossil fuel development and extraction and, justified by what she and others claim is an "existential threat," has pledged to curtail fossil fuel extraction on federal lands.

From WSJ: "The Interior secretary oversees federal lands, the National Park Service and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. It also is a key agency for environmental policy, overseeing Endangered Species Act rules, federal water rights and drilling and mining on federal lands."

From her website: "The fossil fuel industry is making billions by putting our communities in harm’s way, and forcing us to pay to clean up their mess. Meanwhile, extreme weather fueled by climate change is creating massive droughts across the Southwest, historic flooding across the Southeast, and is forcing people out of their homes from Louisiana to Alaska.

We need to act fast to counteract climate change and keep fossil fuels in the ground. I pledge to vote against all new fossil fuel infrastructure, and to fight instead for 100% clean energy — including tens of thousands of solar energy jobs for New Mexicans. We deserve representatives in Congress who will stand up to the fossil fuel industry, and I will.

Indigenous rights and the fight for climate justice cannot be separated, and I will fight for tribal nations across the country who are battling the fossil fuel industry in their backyards.

I believe in people over profits. I will fight for all families for access to clean water, air, and housing that allows us an equal opportunity to raise our families with dignity. We need strong environmental protections to ensure this across industries."

From WSJ: President Biden, in discussing his environmental team (which includes Ms. Haaland): "“This brilliant, tested, trailblazing team will be ready on day one to confront the existential threat of climate change with a unified national response rooted in science and equity,” Mr. Biden said in the announcement. “They share my belief that we have no time to waste to confront the climate crisis, protect our air and drinking water, and deliver justice to communities that have long shouldered the burdens of environmental harms.”"

"“I’m over the moon right now,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), who has proposed weaning the U.S. off fossil fuels with a plan known as the Green New Deal. “The historic weight of having a Native woman, no less a progressive one, in charge of federal lands, is pretty enormous.”"

Over the last four years, we have seen the political use of the phrase "existential threat," namely that a "threat to our existence" justifies whatever means are necessary (no matter how violative of norms, no matter how expensive, and, by definition, beyond discussion) to remove the threat.

It is going to be a very interesting four years for US consumers of fossil fuel products (including electricity producers) and fossil fuel producers. The world now knows that the USA will no longer be energy independent and certainly won't be a swing producer. If commodity prices rise, will the USA's political environment allow it to respond with increased production in any sustainable way? Will OPEC+ soon be firmly in control of global supply (and thus price)? On the demand side, if western economies follow China and India in their fossil energy demand recoveries, will the USA follow suit? Does the Biden administration really believe that renewables and nuclear "suddenly" will meet that added US energy demand?

[dan_s]

Team Biden will spend $Trillions on "Green Energy" projects that won't make a bit of improvement to the global environment. A lot of the money will go to China. The massive increase in surface mining and the large footprints of wind and solar will harm the environment.

BTW what the hell is an "existential threat" anyway?

[k1f]

If she does follow through on the rhetoric, any shortages fossil fuels would raise prices and improve the market.

[dan_s]

I agree. Banning fracking and putting federal lands off limits will raise energy prices for everyone. "everyone" = voters, which is why I don't thing they will do as much as promise to the Left.

We ALL want a clean environment. Oil & gas companies and all oilfield service companies are very concerned about safety and the environment. It is not as simple as oil, gas and coal are BAD and wind and solar are GOOD. There are lots of serious environmental issues with wind and solar.

[cmm3rd]

Saving the planet from an "existential threat" (literally, a threat to our existence) is a religious-like imperative. It is non-negotiable. Cost of the consequences is irrelevant ("our existence is at stake, therefore cost is irrelevant"). Most of all, it is beyond discussion. (That's why the term "existential threat" is used; nothing can be more important than preserving our existence, so no discussion could be relevant.) Besides, a way to make the greedy fossil fuel companies and the other wealthy people who have unjustly oppressed the poor will be devised and implemented in order to achieve environmental and social justice.

Do not try to dispute the imperatives of saving the planet from the existential threat posed by climate change that is caused by carbon emissions, and from degradation of the air we breathe and the water we drink. If you do, you are a "climate change denier" and therefore you are evil and your views are irrelevant and to be ignored.

Welcome to the new Amerika.

When the costs of energy (and of everything else the production of which requires energy) get high enough, presumably the religion will be tested. Maybe someone will then question the underlying premises. Maybe the "science" will change.

[dan_s]

Abundant Affordable Energy = High Standard of living.

Poverty = Despair which equals hopelessness and death

We have been EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to live in the "Hydrocarbon Age". When it ends, human population will decline.