Feasible Plans to Convert to a Decarbonized Economy

June 1, 2022 Article by Jeffrey Price

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We read with great interest a book review in the Wall Street Journal the other day – its title was “How the World Really Works” by Vaclav Smil.  The author is a polymath who has competencies across many, many diverse, but interconnected fields.  Check it out (https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-world-really-works-book-review-putting-it-all-together-11651848551?st=iq7nlpt21rqcjv3&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink).

because what we found most illuminating was his point that the math simply doesn’t work to rapidly cut over to a renewable energy infrastructure for the entire American (or world) economy.  He points out that the sources of the electric and the transmission infrastructure are not even close to being adequate to enable anything resembling a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels.  He ridicules hard dates (e.g., 2050) for targets if the massive funding for new infrastructure isn’t also in place.  He points out that the poorer countries can’t even consider these notions!  It is just another example, from a qualified party, to introduce Green New Deal acolytes to harsh reality. 

First Keystone is all in favor of green initiatives – and taking them fast.  But our sober-minded approach to national energy policy is to provide infrastructure, such as warehouses for rent in Pecos (TX), the epicenter of the Delaware Basin, recognizing that this infrastructure is needed to generate much-needed natural gas that is a critical transition fuel. 

The opinions expressed above reflect only those of the author and do not represent those of the First Keystone Pecos Industrial Park organization.  First Keystone welcomes responsible fact-based discourses on these topics.