Progress Isn’t About Paying More To Get Less
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
Perhaps you’ve noticed that there is a rather strong desire on the part of very vocal people that we ought to be obtaining more of our energy from non-carbon based sources. Alternative energy production is thought by these quite zealous ideologues to not only be the foundation for Nevada’s future economy – it will also save the planet.
Even as a non-believer in the theory that the planet needs to be saved, I don’t have any more particular problem in alternative energy sources than perhaps the idea that somehow in the development process – somebody ought to figure out a way for the end-result to be an economically affordable alternative. I don’t consider affordable energy to be a right (but, then I also don’t consider several other essential services or products to be “rights” either). I do believe that achieving an affordable price by unlocking or discovering a new version or approach will be a more appropriate manner to move forward than using government’s power to artificially force current carbon-based energy prices higher.
I also don’t consider the concept of trying to shame us into thinking higher energy prices is a workable strategy for gaining greater acceptance. This seems to be the “encouragement” at the heart of this Las Vegas Sun editorial.
The point that caught my eye was this central theme:
I don’t claim to be an economic expert. I had one college course on the subject (it was required for graduation). I have been exposed to a variety of different economic reports, books and other sources of information over the years – but, to this point I have not found a lot of materials which indicate that paying more for something (than you otherwise are required to) is a desirable economic choice. Nearly all of the economic thinkers I’ve come into contact with have indicated that the best approach is to be found in lower cost selections.
I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone complaining because their electrical bill was too low…or found a business enterprise failing because their costs of being in business just weren’t high enough.
At some point in time alternative energy production could be a positive economic engine for not only a prosperous Nevada, but also the country as a whole. To get to that point, the foundation of why it is a good choice, as a source, has to be changed away from the social engineering philosophy and toward it being a viable and more cost-effective system.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that there is a rather strong desire on the part of very vocal people that we ought to be obtaining more of our energy from non-carbon based sources. Alternative energy production is thought by these quite zealous ideologues to not only be the foundation for Nevada’s future economy – it will also save the planet.
Even as a non-believer in the theory that the planet needs to be saved, I don’t have any more particular problem in alternative energy sources than perhaps the idea that somehow in the development process – somebody ought to figure out a way for the end-result to be an economically affordable alternative. I don’t consider affordable energy to be a right (but, then I also don’t consider several other essential services or products to be “rights” either). I do believe that achieving an affordable price by unlocking or discovering a new version or approach will be a more appropriate manner to move forward than using government’s power to artificially force current carbon-based energy prices higher.
I also don’t consider the concept of trying to shame us into thinking higher energy prices is a workable strategy for gaining greater acceptance. This seems to be the “encouragement” at the heart of this Las Vegas Sun editorial.
The point that caught my eye was this central theme:
As reported Tuesday by The New York Times, Portugal is expected to derive nearly 45 percent of its electricity this year from renewable resources, a remarkable increase from 17 percent a mere five years ago. This is a significant achievement in light of the fact that Portuguese residents continue to pay higher electricity prices than we do in the United States.Somehow the concept of wishing I could move to Portugal and pay higher energy prices than the United States – or worse strenuously desiring to have higher energy prices here…so we could be more like Portugal didn’t resonate with me.
I don’t claim to be an economic expert. I had one college course on the subject (it was required for graduation). I have been exposed to a variety of different economic reports, books and other sources of information over the years – but, to this point I have not found a lot of materials which indicate that paying more for something (than you otherwise are required to) is a desirable economic choice. Nearly all of the economic thinkers I’ve come into contact with have indicated that the best approach is to be found in lower cost selections.
I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone complaining because their electrical bill was too low…or found a business enterprise failing because their costs of being in business just weren’t high enough.
At some point in time alternative energy production could be a positive economic engine for not only a prosperous Nevada, but also the country as a whole. To get to that point, the foundation of why it is a good choice, as a source, has to be changed away from the social engineering philosophy and toward it being a viable and more cost-effective system.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 8/11/2010 5:30 AM 
Categories: Alternative Energy
Tags: Portugal Alternative Energy Economic Prosperity
Categories: Alternative Energy
Tags: Portugal Alternative Energy Economic Prosperity
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