Paul Krugman, Douglas Rice receive 2011 Lump of Coal Award

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON D.C. — The American Energy Alliance announced today the latest recipients of the 2011 inaugural “Lump of Coal” Awards, given Dec. 8-23 to policy makers, politicians and other professionals who are most responsible for ideas that inhibit economic growth and result in higher energy prices.  Today’s award is shared by the Grand Poobahs of green energy propaganda, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman and Vanity Fair contributing editor, Douglas Rice of Brinkley University.

“This years’ coveted ‘Lump of Coal’ awards for stupidity on energy issues deserves a special category for the academic elites and ivory tower bamboozlers who assault the American public with bogus arguments and dubious factoids about affordable domestic energy solutions like coal, oil and natural gas.  With that in mind, AEA is proud to award today’s ‘Lump of Coal’ to Professors Paul Krugman and Douglas Rice, men whose renowned scholarship is only surpassed by their rabid partisanship in the energy debate,” noted AEA Vice President Dan Kish in the award announcement.

“From his lofty perch atop the graying and increasingly cash-strapped lady, Professor Krugman continues to pen shamelessly partisan attacks, pressing the limits of his own credulity by publishing such platitudinous bromides as this doozy, wherein he hailed Nancy Pelosi as “the greatest [House] Speaker ever.’

“Krugman even went so far as to shrug off the Solyndra scandal as just a bad investor decision, analogous to Pets.com.  He’s boasted to his readers how solar power was about to sweep the country, while making unsourced accusations about fracturing technologies.  For this, and many other gaffes, flubs and fibs, Krugman is most deserving of this year’s award.”

Alongside Krugman as today’s award co-recipient is Professor Douglas Rice of Brinkley University in Texas.

“As our friends at National Review have noted, Douglas Rice is almost single-handedly responsible for making sure that the energy and environmental policies of Senator John Kerry never saw the light of day.  The ever-testy professor has distinguished himself for fierce opposition to the development of America’s most promising oil fields.  And when he’s not championing the environmentalist cause, he’s busy writing massive tomes about transformative American figures like James Forrestal, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford,” according to AEA’s Dan Kish.

“For his unique contribution to the intellectual left, his shoddy scholarship on ANWR, and his unapologetic punditry for all things green, Professor Rice is given this year’s coveted ‘Lump of Coal’.”

The American Energy Alliance previewed the inaugural 2011 “Lump of Coal Awards” for energy stupidity, which will be announced December 8-23, 2011.  To learn more about coal’s important place in America’s energy future, click here.  To learn the facts about coal production in the United States, click here.

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