DROZ: Should Solar Lobbyists Dictate NC Energy Policy?

RALEIGH – A big energy bill is making it’s way through the N.C. General Assembly, and experts are exposing the legislation as a product of lobbyists from the solar industry, Big Utility Lobby, and those that prioritize arbitrary emission reductions over reliable energy.

The bill would massively increase the State’s reliance on ‘Green’ energy sources like solar, and will soak North Carolinians — from mom and pop paying the light bill, to large manufacturers powering production — with higher rates for electricity. No, this isn’t some fantasy bill from the minority Democrats; House Bill 951 is sponsored and promoted by Republican leadership.

North Carolinian and physicist John Droz, Jr. is one of those scientifically-mind individuals that decided to examine the legislation with a critical eye and technical expertise. Droz, of Morehead City, is an independent physicist and long-time environmental advocate who is very involved with the three E’s: Energy, Environment and Education. His primary focus is defending real science, which is constantly under assault by self-serving special-interest parties.

His perspective on the NC energy bill? In this concise 5-part explainer, Droz articulates why this bill put forward by North Carolina lawmakers — Republicans — makes us the lapdogs of solar lobbyists.

1 – Should Solar Lobbyists Dictate NC Energy Policy?

When the Green New Deal (GND) was first introduced by left-wing extremists, it was soundly (and rightly) criticized as being technically, economically and environmentally unscientific and non-sensical (e.g., here, here, here and here).

Since Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) was one of the GND’s main advocates, is that any surprise? Her credentials include zero scientific qualifications, but do show her as having been a bartender. Have we really stooped this low so that America’s national energy policy is being directed by such unqualified people? Not to be outdone in the race to the bottom, some NC House Legislators have passed HB951, which is NC’s version of the Green New Deal (and would make AOC proud).

What’s startling is that the sponsors of the NC GND is a cadre of Republicans! Republicans should be strictly supporting science-based energy policies. Science-based energy policies are those that have proven net societal benefits. Such policies are based on three pillars: 1) Technical, 2) Economic and 3) Environmental considerations.

None of that is found in the 50± page polemic: HB951. Instead, we have a bill that is clearly written by lobbyists for the solar industry, lobbyists for Duke Energy, and lobbyists representing other Left-wing organizations. Not surprisingly, HB951 has zero net technical, economic, or environmental benefits for NC citizens, NC small businesses, or the military in NC. Right under our nose, the solar industry has arranged for NC to be their lap dog.

Consider that: a) NC has given the solar industry well over a BILLION dollars so far, b) NC has zero statewide solar rules and regulations, and c) the solar industry has no requirement to prove that their product is providing any net benefits! Sweet! Rather than being happy with this utopian arrangement, the solar industry perceives the NC legislature’s extreme benevolence as a sign of weakness and incompetence — and with good reason. As a result they are now asking for MORE! That’s why they wrote HB951: a) to get hundreds of millions of dollars of additional handouts, b) to reduce the trivial (local) solar facility regulations even further, and c) all the while still not providing one iota of proof that their product is a net societal benefit! This bill needs to be immediately killed before other NC legislation becomes infected.

2 – HB951: Observations on Some Content

For those who masochistically want more gory details about HB951, here are some.
There are at least ten key concerns with this disturbing bill: [CONTINUE READING]