Kentucky Energy Forum

Washington Times: Gasoline up 100% under Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:18:00 +0000

Just a little over a week ago, Barack Obama told the people of Brazil he wanted the United States to be their biggest customer in their expanding crude oil export industry. Never mind his biggest benefactor and leftist political ally, George Soros, stands to make billions from the United States extending U.S. investment to Brazil for this oil exploration, while domestic energy is whithering on the vine--thanks to radical regulations by Obama and his EPA.

The double-speak continued on Tuesday, with Barack Obama proclaiming he would cut foreign oil consumption by one-third. Now, which story do you believe? Barack Obama investing $2 billion in Brazilian oil exploration for his pal George Soros or Barack Obama cutting foreign energy imports by one-third and boosting domestic energy production.

The Washington Times reports that gas prices are up 100% under Obama. It is time to put up or shut for Obama. Energy security and independence is at our fingertips; however, Obama fails to lead. We have more energy resources than any other nation, yet we continue to import more and more energy.

"Feeling pain at the pump? Gas prices have doubled since Mr. Obama took office. According to the GasBuddy gasoline price tracking web site, the price of a gallon of regular gas was around $1.79 when Mr. Obama took office. Today the national average is $3.58. The lowest average price in the continental United States is $3.31 in Tulsa Oklahoma, the highest is $4.14 in Santa Barbara, CA. Four-dollar-a-gallon gas has arrived on average throughout California, and a number of other states are headed in that direction."

Economists predict $5.00 gasoline by the end of the year. With the ongoing turmoil in the Mid-East and the OPEC cartel continuing to gouge the United States--making ONE TRILLION DOLLARS this year alone--$5.00 per gallon gasoline will most likely be here by the Memorial Day holiday. Investing in new energy development, oil, natural gas, coal, biomass, and renewables, would unleash a wave of new employment and economic expansion. By focusing on cutting energy imports from OPEC, that is cutting our dependency of imports on the 30% of the energy we import from OPEC, we would not only become energy secure, but we would reduce military and foreign policy threats from Islamic terrorism and shore our economic muscle.

What could you do for ONE TRILLION DOLLARS...become energy secure? I think so. We should demand it from our leaders and expect no less. If they fail to respond, we should vote out the current leaders with elect individuals to office who will do what needs to be done--make America energy secure and break the back of the OPEC cartel.

A View from Great Britain: MP Daniel Hannan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:49:00 +0000

Sorghum: Kickin' Butt and Takin' Names

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:06:00 +0000

Testing began in 2010 on post-mining sites in Kentucky
and marginal agricultural land to measure effectiveness
for use as land for the production of biomass.

Patriot BioEnergy LLC continues the develop of sweet sorghum-based ethanol production facilities. These integrated energy facilities will have as a basic component an ethanol facility that will use sweet-sorghum, as well as other biomass feedstock, to produce ethanol. The biomass waste will be gasified, along with other biomass, at a co-generation facility to produce electricity.

In 2010, testing began and Patriot BioEnergy continues its planning for expanded test sites in the 2011 growing season. Lab analysis from the 2010 test grow on post-mining and marginal land show a Btu yield over 8,400, while ash and sulfur are within acceptable industry standards to make sweet sorghum a viable crop to co-blend with coal to reduce emissions and maintain optimal energy for power production.

In a recent report, sorghum is being shown as a first-tier biomass feedstock--realizing high per-acre yields and producing significant results for both ethanol production and other energy uses.

“BTU values ranged over $1000 / acre between the biomass at the extremes in the trial. This clearly shows that a key economic driver for cleantech projects will be the ability to access a high-performance feedstock.”

On February 15, 2011 Chromatin, Inc., announced its sorghum hybrids were among the top performers in terms of yield per acre and in the Btu value necessary for energy production per acre. This bodes well for the continued development of sweet sorghum as a primary feedstock in the United States. In comparison to the emergin biofuels industry in the United States, the nation of Brazil produces nearly 100% of its transportation fuel requirements solely from sweet sorghum and sugar cane. As part of Patriot BioEnergy's planning, the business model reflecting the success of Brazilian ethanol manufacturing continues to be a primary focus for the company long-term goals.

The Telegraph: Obama says US to be major purchaser of Brazilian oil

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:02:00 +0000

President Barack Obama has pledged that the United States will be a "major customer" for Brazilian oil in the coming years amid continuing unrest in the Middle East.

"I have told her that the United States wants to be a major customer, which can be a win-win for both our countries," [Barack Obama said].

For more on this story click here.

Another stellar failure of vision that brings America energy security and independence. Ironically, Brazil is nearly 100% energy independent, by producing 98% of its transportation fuel needs from biomass. What is further adding insult to injury on the part of the Obama's move to increase oil imports from Brazil is the fact they are producing enough ethanol from biomass to become a net exporter of that as well.

When are the politicians in Washington going to get their priorities straight and answer the needs of the people with a clearly defined and effective energy security plan that unleashes domestic energy production in all areas, coal, natural gas, oil, biomass, and renewables?

We need to demand it, while recognizing American domestic energy development will create good-paying jobs and break the grip of foreign oil interests on our nation's economy and future.

High Energy Prices Are Obama’s ‘Explicit Policy Goal,’ Inhofe Says

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Rogers Demands Answers from EPA Administrator

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:04:00 +0000

In case you missed it, Kentucky Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers took EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to task for the wrong-headed and out-of-control actions of her agency in the Obama/EPA 'War on Coal'.

Gas Prices Skyrocket 67% Since Obama Took Office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:21:00 +0000

Obama Fiddles while consumer
fuel costs skyrocket 67%

According to recent analysis in The Weekly Standard, the price Americans are paying at the pump have skyrocketed 67% since Barack Hussein Obama took office in January 2009. This huge increase compares with a 7% increase in the first 26 months of the George W. Bush Presidency--for those keeping score it is the same time-period comparison.

"Now obviously turmoil in the Middle East has something to do with our current astronomical gas prices, but keep in mind that by this point in the Bush presidency 9/11 had happened and we were on the verge of invading Iraq. So while the president can't be entirely responsible for global commodity prices, it's still worth asking what Obama's doing to make things worse."

For more information on the analysis visit The Weekly Standard.

Where is the outrage from the media about the huge increase under Obama? The same media were quick to point to the increase in fuel prices under President Bush as a huge increase, blaming the Bush Administration for the comparatively small increases against the 67% under Obama.

The outrage here is there has been a failure since the Carter Administration to chart a true course to energy security and break the grip of OPEC over not only the American consumer at the pump, but over American mlitary and foreign policy as well. It is the proverbial 'Emperor Nero' Obama fiddling while American economy and the consumer suffocates under rising fuel prices.

Political leaders need to act now to empower the private sector to lead America to energy security.

Reuters: Gasoline cost to jump $700 for average household

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:23:00 +0000

The average U.S. household will spend about $700 more for gasoline in 2011 than it spent last year, bringing total motor fuel expenses up 28 percent to $3,235, based on an annual pump price of $3.61 a gallon, the department's Energy Information Administration said.

For more on this story click here

If the current increase in the price of crude oil and the price of gasoline at the American pump happened from 2001-2008, the media and the Left would have been pointing the finger at President Bush. However, since we have Carter II in the White House, with the United States facing increasing economic troubles, as well as new and expanding threats in the Middle East, the mainstream media does not make the connection between the failure of Obama to provide any foreign policy leadership or any leadership that would implement a comprehensive energy policy--a hallmark of his 2008 Presidential campaign.

What we are now facing is the spectre of $5.00/gallon gasoline and a double-hit against an already weakened economy. The time is now to hold accountable Barack Obama, to demand action by Congress to pass a 'Marshall Plan' for Energy Security. By replacing 30% of the OPEC crude with domestically-produced transportation fuel, the United States can create solid, good-paying jobs and break the grip of the OPEC cartel on the United States.

It is a sad fact that families and small business see rising fuel and food bills and the political leaders in this country, at both the federal and state levels, continue to stick their heads in the proverbial sand.

EconomicPolicyJournal.com: Jim Rogers: "Saudi Arabia Is Lying About Being Abl...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:33:00 +0000

EconomicPolicyJournal.com: Jim Rogers: "Saudi Arabia Is Lying About Being Abl...: "Jim Rogers tells Bloomberg: 'Saudi Arabia has been lying about the reserves for decades. Saudi Arabia the last two times said they are goin..."

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:47:00 +0000

newtgingrich: I urge you to donate to help Haitians at Clinton foundation site: http://bit.ly/4R3n8V or you can text "Haiti" to 90999 and $10 will be sent

Sign this petition for Energy Independence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:19:00 +0000

AP: Pump prices on pace to top 2009 high by weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:54:00 +0000

According the Associated Press report today our prices at the pump are going to pass those of 2009 by this weekend.

The cost of filling up the car is rising in the wake of soaring crude and by this weekend, pump prices will race past the highs for all of 2009.

Tracing the ascension of crude, up 14 percent since mid-December, energy prices across the board are catching up. On Tuesday, benchmark crude prices closed higher than they had on any day last year.

It's part economic and part meteorologic.

Vicious pockets of cold stretched from the Northeast to the South, where farmers in the Florida panhandle tried to save tomato and strawberry crops. Four deaths in Tennessee were blamed on low temperatures.

The complete article is posted here.

Know Thy Enemy: Pro-Publica: "The Next Target: Natural Gas Development"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Just as I have predicted, once the environmental radicals finish off coal mining, which is the backbone of the American economy, providing cheap power and other essential elements for an economic recovery through development of new coal-based technologies and products, they will turn their green gaze to natural gas production and drilling to destory that industry, too.

I recommend reading this article to gain a complete understanding of how the mind of radical environmental are building the foundation to attack the natural gas industry and to try and eliminate or bankrupt another vital part of the energy solution for America's energy security.

Instead of an all-of-the-above solution to our energy problems, radical environmentalists take aim at any energy sector that does not comply with their move to completely destory the American economic power and to relegate the world's best overall standard of living to that of a banana republic third-world country.

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Pro-Publica: Natural Gas Drilling - What We Don’t Know
by Abrahm Lustgarten

It takes brute force to wrest natural gas from the earth. Millions of gallons of chemical-laden water mixed with sand -- under enough pressure to peel paint from a car -- are pumped into the ground, pulverizing a layer of rock that holds billions of small bubbles of gas.

The chemicals transform the fluid into a frictionless mass that works its way deep into the earth, prying open tiny cracks that can extend thousands of feet. The particles of sand or silicon wedge inside those cracks, holding the earth open just enough to allow the gas to slip by.

Gas drilling is often portrayed as the ultimate win-win in an era of hard choices: a new, 100-year supply of cleaner-burning fuel, a risk-free solution to the nation’s dependence on foreign energy. In the next 10 years, the United States will use the fracturing technology to drill hundreds of thousands of new wells astride cities, rivers and watersheds. Cash-strapped state governments are pining for the revenue and the much-needed jobs that drilling is expected to bring to poor, rural areas.

Drilling companies assert that the destructive forces unleashed by the fracturing process, including the sometimes toxic chemicals that keep the liquid flowing, remain safely sealed as much as a mile or more beneath the earth, far below drinking water sources and the rest of the natural environment.

For the complete article and Pro-Publica's year-long investigation (to understand the thinking of the radical environmentalists) click here: Pro Publica.

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This is a sad commentary on the agenda of the radical environmentalists, but will provide insight to the thinking of those who determined to impose their radical agenda on America.

Weather Channel Founder John Coleman Discusses Global Warming

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:31:00 +0000

No Rise of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Fraction in Past 160 Years, New Research Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:00:00 +0000

No rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide fraction in past 160 years, new research finds

ScienceDaily (2009-12-31) -- Most of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activity does not remain in the atmosphere, but is instead absorbed by the oceans and terrestrial ecosystems. However, some studies have suggested that the ability of oceans and plants to absorb carbon dioxide recently may have begun to decline and that the airborne fraction of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions is therefore beginning to increase. In contradiction to those studies, new research finds that the airborne fraction of carbon dioxide has not increased either during the past 150 years or during the most recent five decades. ... > read full article

Study shows CFCs, cosmic rays major culprits for global warming

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Professor Qing-Bin Lu, at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, has published a paper based on extensive research showing the cosmic rays and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the culprit that causes global warming and not carbon dioxide.

Here is a recent article published by Insciences. For the complete article click here.

For more information on Professor Qing-Bin Lu and his research, these links provide great information:

Complete research paper by Professor Qing-Bin Lu
PDF of the research
Ozone Layer Burned by Cosmic Rays

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WATERLOO, Ont. (Monday, Dec. 21, 2009) - Cosmic rays and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), both already implicated in depleting the Earth's ozone layer, are also responsible for changes in the global climate, a University of Waterloo scientist reports in a new peer-reviewed paper.

In his paper, Qing-Bin Lu, a professor of physics and astronomy, shows how CFCs - compounds once widely used as refrigerants - and cosmic rays - energy particles originating in outer space - are mostly to blame for climate change, rather than carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. His paper, derived from observations of satellite, ground-based and balloon measurements as well as an innovative use of an established mechanism, was published online in the prestigious journal Physics Reports.

"My findings do not agree with the climate models that conventionally thought that greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, are the major culprits for the global warming seen in the late 20th century," Lu said. "Instead, the observed data show that CFCs conspiring with cosmic rays most likely caused both the Antarctic ozone hole and global warming. These findings are totally unexpected and striking, as I was focused on studying the mechanism for the formation of the ozone hole, rather than global warming."

His conclusions are based on observations that from 1950 up to now, the climate in the Arctic and Antarctic atmospheres has been completely controlled by CFCs and cosmic rays, with no CO2 impact.

VIDEO: FL Congressional Candidate Allen West

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:02:00 +0000

Here’s a short speech from Congressional candidate Allen West, a Republican candidate for the 22nd Congressional District in Florida. It’s a passionate call from a former military man for We the People to take back our country—well worth a few minutes to watch.

A key part of any effort to restore America is to provide for an energy secure America.

EPA's Clean Air ruling lashes coal-producing Kentucky

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:50:00 +0000

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency's declaration Monday that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions endanger the public's health could deeply impact Kentucky's multimillion-dollar coal economy.

The announcement, which comes as an historic climate change conference gets underway in Copenhagen, could set the groundwork for broader cap-and-trade policies in the United State — the kinds of policies the state's coal companies and most of the state's congressional delegation have long tried to block.

“What his arbitrary administrative edict would do is what Congress has refused to do statutorily — tell coal-burning utilities how much, or little, coal can be burned,” said Rep. Hal Rogers, a Republican. “It could prove devastating to Kentucky’s coal industry and cause havoc to our working men and women of eastern Kentucky.”

Meanwhile, Kentucky environmentalists lauded the EPA’s announcement as a first step toward addressing global warming and curbing pollution.

For the full story click here.

Forbes.com: The Fiction Of Climate Science

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:30:00 +0000

The Fiction Of Climate Science

Why the climatologists get it wrong.
by Gary Sutton/Forbes.com

Many of you are too young to remember, but in 1975 our government pushed "the coming ice age."

Random House dutifully printed "THE WEATHER CONSPIRACY … coming of the New Ice Age." This may be the only book ever written by 18 authors. All 18 lived just a short sled ride from Washington, D.C. Newsweek fell in line and did a cover issue warning us of global cooling on April 28, 1975. And The New York Times, Aug. 14, 1976, reported "many signs that Earth may be headed for another ice age."

In 1974, the National Science Board announced: "During the last 20 to 30 years, world temperature has fallen, irregularly at first but more sharply over the last decade. Judging from the record of the past interglacial ages, the present time of high temperatures should be drawing to an end…leading into the next ice age."

For the complete article click here.

Climate-Gate Update: Professor in Center of Climategate Loses Cool on Live BBC TV Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:23:00 +0000

First, Al Gore decided to cancel a high-profile, high-priced meet-and-greet fund-raiser promoting his cause and his new book in Copehagen, but the turmoil swirling around the Climate-gate scandal that shows a conspriacy among certain scientists promoting global warming and the link to human acitivities has made him rethink this fund-raiser.

This is coupled with calls earlier this week by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to return his Oscar for "An Inconvenient Truth", as reported in the Los Angeles Times.

While Al Gore continues to profit from corrupted global warming science, Professor Andrew Watson, University of East Anglia, who is at the center of the Climate-gate scandal loses his cool live on the BBC during an interview on the Climate-gate scandal. When all other defenses failed, he curses at Marc Morano, Climate Depot's executive editor, by calling him "a**hole".

Watch the video here:

URGENT: Friends of America Rally - Charleston, WV

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Just received information from Friends of America about a pro-coal rally on Monday, December 7th, 2009, in Charleston, WV. Please read, pass along to your friends, and attend if at all possible.

Thank you....

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Dear Friends:

Radical anti-coal extremists are at it again. They’re attacking our jobs, our values, and our way of life.

This time they’re bringing in outsider Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Just what we need: another New England liberal telling us how to live. So, let’s stand together and let our voices be heard.

Join real, hard-working West Virginians just like yourself at a pro-coal rally on Monday, December 7th at 2 p.m. at the Department of Environmental Protection office in Charleston.

Pro-Coal Rally

Monday, December 7th @ 2:00 p.m.

Department of Environmental Protection Office

601 57th Street, SE

Charleston, WV

Free Webinar - Green Jobs: What They Are and How to Find Them

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Green Jobs: What They Are and How to Find Them: "“Green jobs” are in the news.
With the increased focus on clean energy, experts say 'green' employment opportunities will grow significantly. If you're a job-seeker, it can be hard to find practical information about green jobs. What are these jobs, exactly? How do you find out about them? Who are the 'green' employers in your area?"

A Step in the Right Direction: Commerce Lexington Changes Policy to Pro-Coal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:35:00 +0000

For the first time, Commerce Lexington--the business organization that promotes business issues in the greater Lexington, Kentucky area--acknowledged the positive impact that coal has had not only for the Bluegrass Region, but the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In part to a response to calls from WTUK Radio and on-air personality Randy Walters, in Harlan, Commerce Lexington changed its 2010 policy statement to a strongly-worded statement acknowledging the importance of coal and calling pending energy legislation the "most immediate threat to Kentucky's business climate" while further stating the group’s efforts to "protect the viability of Kentucky's coal industry".

What brought about this positive revelation was an October trip to East Kentucky organized by Commerce Lexington of nearly 70 business leaders from the Bluegrass Region.

Given the fact that millions of dollars from East Kentucky patrons are spent in the Lexington area each and every year, it is refreshing to see the business community speak up for itself and let the people in East Kentucky know that the Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Board does not set policy for the Lexington business community. The change in policy to a more pro-coal position is just the first step. Now, action must be taken that demonstrates a long-term commitment to keep the business from East Kentucky coming to Lexington and the Bluegrass Region.

A great next step would be for Commerce Lexington to get behind a long overdue improvement and that is to upgrade and improve the Mountain Parkway to a main transportation artery to central Kentucky.

The proverbial saying that people vote with their pocketbooks aptly applies in this case. With competition come options. And, for the people of East Kentucky, improved transportation networks throughout the East Kentucky region give people options. Major business centers in Ashland, Kentucky; Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia; Johnson City, Bristol (Virginia), and Kingsport, Tennessee; and, Knoxville, Tennessee are options for starters that provide a diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment experience. In terms of available healthcare and other business opportunities, these regional business centers provide as much or more than the Bluegrass Region. Geographically, with the improved transportation network, the cities are closer and easier to travel to than Lexington.

Lexington must continue to earn the dollar of the people of East Kentucky through action in support of coal and the cheap electricity it provides industry, including Toyota, in central Kentucky. Without this long-term commitment, Lexington will suffer from the people of East Kentucky voting to do business where their region is appreciated.

A great next step would be for Commerce Lexington to get behind a long overdue improvement and that is to upgrade and improve the Mountain Parkway to a main transportation artery to central Kentucky. The expansion of the Parkway to a four-lane with multiple access points to Hazard, Paintsville, Pikeville, and Prestonsburg--all major centers of population and business in East Kentucky. This expansion would truly connect the Commonwealth and make us whole as a state. Commerce Lexington can be a voice of support for this effort and make the strong case that it will strengthen their business and industry; that it is vital to the long-term well-being of the Bluegrass Region.

And, let us not have the silly notion advanced that we need to put toll-roads on the Parkway. We have paid enough in coal severance tax and sales tax that more than makes up for the nearly 50 years of a lack completed East-West transportation artery to the Bluegrass Region. Some politicians, in an effort to grab headlines, promote this idea of toll-roads, but that's an insult to the people of East Kentucky. Sadly, it comes from some of our own politicians who think of themselves more than long-term solutions.

Now is the time to seize the day and have a solid partnership between the business community in East Kentucky and Central Kentucky. Let's take the next best step: complete the Mountain Parkway. Show your true support for coal and for East Kentucky is more than words.

East Kentucky awaits your answer.

Hot 'Climategate' debate: Scientists clash LIVE on Russia Today

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:28:00 +0000

Irreparable damage has been done to the global warming debate. With these revelations that leading scientists promoting research supporting the argument that global warming/climate change is real has been exposed as false data, maybe a reasonable argument can be made that promotes real energy dialogue based on sound science not hyperbole and fear-mongering.

Now, sensible people can discuss how to best develop a balanced energy strategy, that utilizes fossil fuels, including coal, and other sources of alternative energy. Clearly, the United States needs to have a balanced energy strategy, that promotes the use of all available energy sources and the develop of better technologies to use those energy sources for a diversified industry.

This is a very good debate and is worth watching.

Climategate - Hide the Decline!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:23:00 +0000