In the Pipeline: 1/29/13

What will it take for people to realize that electricity isn’t generated by a bunch of wizards and fairy tales at Hogwarts? Washington Times (1/27/13) reports: “Environmental Protection Agency regulations are snuffing out another power plant, Chase Power announced Wednesday, killing its $3 billion Corpus Christi, Texas, coal project and 3,900 prospective jobs… ‘Chase Power … has opted to suspend efforts to further permit the facility and is seeking alternative investors as part of a plan of dissolution for the parent company,’ Chase CEO Dave Freysinger said in a statement to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times… Mr. Freysinger said that although financial conditions played a role in the decision, the project was the victim of an insurmountable regulatory framework erected by the EPA.”

Don’t let the sun go down on me. Oregon Live (1/25/13) reports: “SolarWorld, the German company with a taxpayer-subsidized factory in Hillsboro, may face sale or bankruptcy, analysts say, after its shares and bonds tanked Friday in Frankfurt… In Hillsboro, where the solar manufacturer once employed 1,000, a spokesman said Friday the company was laying off 50, cutting the work force to 725 by March.”

I’m no lawyer, but didn’t Tommy, Johnny, and James write up a bill that protects against this kind of thing? Chicago Tribune (1/24/13) reports: “Jennifer Stahl of the 1400 block of Westglen Drive, received two ordinance violation citations — interfering with a police officer and preventing access to customer premises… Stahl, who was released from custody about 4:30 p.m., said when she refused the smart meter, installers accompanied by police cut the bicycle lock she had placed on her fence and entered her backyard. She then stood in front of her electric meter and refused to move… ‘It was forced on my house today,’ she said. ‘It was really a violation. I violated something, but I’ve been violated too so I guess we’re now in a society of violating one another.’”

Is this one of those flash mob things? Get your dancing shoes on, ladies and gentlemen. Center for Industrial Progress (1/28/13) reports: “This rally has nothing to do with climate, though I know many of its participants believe it does. It is about opposing any form of practical energy for any reason. It is a Blackout Rally. And today’s so-called environmentalist movement is a Blackout Movement. No one wants dirty water–but some people want to destroy the energy that keeps our lights on (and cleans our water)… On February 17, Center for Industrial Progress will challenge the Blackout Rally with our message of improving the planet for human beings through energy, technology, and development. Blackout Movement–meet the Light Brigade.”