Archive for the ‘Obama’ Category

Cronyism ruled Obama’s Energy Department – Washington Examiner

Is solar energy now suddenly affordable and reliable despite its checkered history? Up until now, it has not been able to stand on its own two feet without substantial subsidies.

The authors of a two-year, taxpayer-funded study acknowledge that the answer to that question is: not quite. But that could change in short order, they argue, if public policy maximizes recent innovations.

In 2014, Stanford University's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance received a $618,155 grant from President Barack Obama's Energy Department to examine recent trends in China's solar energy industry and to determine what the international implications are of those trends.

Based on their findings, the center's research team recommends tighter cooperation between the U.S. and China on solar energy initiatives, increased U.S. government spending on research and development, and a steep U.S. price on carbon-based energy sources.

The report titled "The New Solar System" says that a price on carbon is needed to provide private enterprise with enough incentive to develop renewable energy sources, such as solar, to alleviate climate change. The research team doesn't exactly quantify how much of a price they would like to see, but they do make it clear that it should be as steep as possible. Here's what they recommend:

"More than any other single policy, a significant price on carbon in the United States would induce a market shift from higher-carbon to lower-carbon technologies," the report says. While there are carbon-pricing arrangements currently in place at the state level, the Stanford researchers find that they are not sufficient enough to result in any significant reduction of U.S. emissions. What's needed instead, they suggest, is "an intelligently crafted and meaningful price on carbon."

Energy consumers, who would be forced to absorb higher costs over the short-term, would supposedly benefit over time as the shift to renewable energy sources mitigates the effects of climate change. But, there's no guarantee that the benefits would outweigh the costs.

Heritage Foundation policy analysts Kevin Dayaratna and David Kreutzer have produced a study based on the Obama administration's models and assumptions that shows a tax on carbon would reduce household incomes, raise electricity prices, and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs with only a "minimal impact on climate."

However, policymakers might seek to impose a price on carbon, the hard reality is that U.S. consumers would be forced to absorb higher energy costs in the short-term in exchange for benefits that may not ever materialize.

Tom Pyle, the president of the Institute of Energy Research, a Washington-based nonprofit group devoted to a free market approach to energy policy, warns that taxpayers who are footing the bill for grants distributed through the Department of Energy, and other federal agencies, often lose out as a result of "crony deals" that enable "well-connected" former and current government officials to advance their own narrow special interests.

"What we see all too often with government grants is an incestuous relationship between a particular federal agency and former government officials who previously worked with that agency in some capacity," Pyle said. "These grant recipients manipulate and game system to their advantage at the expense of taxpayers. The end result of this particular grant to the Steyer-Taylor Center is a study that proposes to put a price on carbon and to double-down on solar energy. This means that taxpayers are losing twice both as taxpayers and as energy consumers. They are paying for a study that calls for policy makers to raise their electricity prices."

Dan Reicher, who serves as executive director for the center and holds faculty positions at Stanford, is one of the study's lead authors. Prior to joining Stanford, Reicher served in energy and environmental positions in the Carter, Clinton, and Obama administrations. He was also the director of Google's Climate Change and Energy Initiatives and has worked as an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in New York City.

As a long-time advocate for renewable energy from inside and outside of government, Reicher is well-positioned to solicit government grants.

I exchanged several emails with Reicher inviting him to comment on the merits of solar energy and the major findings of his report for this blog. As of Tuesday, he hasn't responded. His report does say that "the grant gave the Stanford Steyer-Center full independence and authority to frame the inquiry, conduct the research, draw conclusions and write the report."

But, it's also clear that the Steyer-Taylor team accepted the Obama administration's premise that human emissions are responsible for dangerous levels of global warming, a position that has become more untenable in recent years.

There are hundreds of scientists and researchers who have come forward to identify natural influences as the primary driver of climate change. How many of those scientists are eligible for government grants?

With the change in administration, Pyle is calling on Energy Secretary Rick Perry to conduct a thorough review of his agency's grant-making policies in an effort to root out instances of "cronyism" that work against the public interest.

Kevin Mooney (@KevinMooneyDC) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is an investigative reporter in Washington, D.C. who writes for several national publications.

If you would like to write an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, please read our guidelines on submissions here.

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Cronyism ruled Obama's Energy Department - Washington Examiner

Trump takes credit for nuclear arsenal that was largely modernized during Obama administration – CBS News

Last Updated Aug 9, 2017 11:23 AM EDT

President Trump on Wednesday seemed to take credit for the the strength of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a day after warning North Korea that it would be met with "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten America.

Mr. Trump suggested in tweets that in his nearly seven months of serving as commander in chief, he has made the arsenal more robust.

Much of the improvements to the arsenal, however, were carried out by the Obama administration, CBS News' Major Garrett reports. The Defense Department and Energy Department spent billions of dollars on refurbishing the arsenal and bringing aging nuclear weapons up to modern capabilities as well as guidance systems and related technologies.

Mr. Trump did order a review of U.S. nuclear posture and strategy early in his presidency, but that's different from modernization and bringing old systems up to usable standards.

The credit really lies with former President Obama and defense hawks in Congress who funded the work, especially during a time when the federal budget is subject to spending limits. Mr. Trump has requested a 11 percent funding boost in his 2018 budget blueprint to Congress.

Ultimately, Obama advocates eliminating all nuclear weapons, a goal he has acknowledged might not be realized in his lifetime.

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Trump takes credit for nuclear arsenal that was largely modernized during Obama administration - CBS News

Former Michelle Obama aide enters Maryland governor’s race – The Hill

Krishanti Vignarajah, a former policy director for former first lady Michelle ObamaMichelle ObamaIllinois makes 'Barack Obama Day' a state holiday Bill Clinton wishes Obama happy birthday: 'I love a good balloon' The Hill's 12:30 Report MORE, is enteringthe race for Maryland governor.

I am running for Governor because I am worried my daughter will not have the same opportunities my parents gave me when they brought our family here when I was a baby girl," Vignarajah, 37, said in a statement. "I hope Marylanders will agree the best man for the job is a woman.

The former Obama administration official also ripped the state's current Republicangovernor, Larry Hogan, accusing him of running a "deficit in leadership."

"Most of my life, Maryland has beena beacon of hope, opportunity, innovation, and courage.We led the nation in school performance, job creation, and conservation," she said. "But today too many of the students who can least afford to be left behind have been forgotten altogether. Too many workers have been left out. And our precious Chesapeake Bay faces its greatest risks in decades."

Five other Democrats are already vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. They includePrince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker; Alec Ross, a tech entrepreneur and Obama State Department alum; Maryland state Sen. Richard Madaleno; attorneyJames Shea; and Ben Jealous, a former NAACP president who has the backing of Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersFive tough decisions for the GOP on healthcare Booker on hug with McCain after healthcare vote: 'I'm a hugger' Former DNC chair criticizes whiny left MORE (I-Vt.).

Others, including policy consultant Maya Rockeymoore, the wife of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), have expressed interest in running as well.

Rep. JohnDelaney (D-Md.) announced in July that he would forego a gubernatorial run and would instead mount a bid for the White House in 2020.

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Former Michelle Obama aide enters Maryland governor's race - The Hill

Trump is going to be so pissed about Obama getting his own holiday – A.V. Club (blog)

Before he was president, Barack Obama served the state of Illinois as a state and U.S. senator. And before that, the former chief executive made a name for himself as a community organizer on Chicagos South Side. Obamas old grassroots activism grounds have already been named the site of his presidential library (even though there are some concerns that its construction will do the very things he once fought against in the community. Sorry, just keeping it real). But the point is, theres a lot of mutual love between this state and the 44th president, which is why Governor Bruce Rauner has just declared Obamas birthday a commemorative holiday. Starting in 2018, August 4 will be celebrated as Barack Obama Day in Illinois, according to NBC Chicago.

Because its a commemorative holiday, like the one honoring Ronald Reagan, and not a state holiday, therell be no mandatory office or school closures, or time off for state employees. Illinois Democrats initially pushed for an official state holiday, but apparently some lawmakers were upset that the Gipper hadnt received such a high honor himself. Still, its one more state holiday than the current president is likely to ever getTrump did, after all, fail to win his home state of New York in the 2016 election. But given the current state of things, we might not get the chance to celebrate the first Barack Obama Day.

[via The Daily Beast]

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Trump is going to be so pissed about Obama getting his own holiday - A.V. Club (blog)

Carpool Karaoke: Watch Will Smith Relive a Sick Burn from Barack Obama – Vanity Fair

Apple Musics stand-alone Carpool Karaoke series has officially launchedand its first guest was Will Smith. Late Late Show host James Corden was on hand to get things started, jamming out to some of the musician-actors older hits, including Gettin Jiggy Wit It and Boom! Shake the Room. But the true highlight came when Smith revealed that he has actually been in talks to play Barack Obama in a movie. By which we mean, Smith has talked about it. With the former president himself.

Corden asked between songs if Smith had ever been approached for the role. Smith admitted that he once talked with Obama about the possibilityand that Obama came at him with a pretty sick burn. He told me that he felt confident that I had the ears for the role, Smith said. Truthfully, hes not wrong.

Although only a taste of the full Apple Music series is available on YouTube, its a pretty enticing collection of momentsincluding Corden and Smith singing Gettin Jiggy Wit It alongside a full marching band. The full version of Carpool Karaoke on Apple Music will include more songs, including the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song, of course. This teaser video also includes moments from other performances, including Game of Thrones stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, who really put their hearts into a rousing rendition of Wrecking Ball.

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Carpool Karaoke: Watch Will Smith Relive a Sick Burn from Barack Obama - Vanity Fair