NC Media Watch

In 2010, Conservatives Still Outnumber Moderates, Liberals

Russ Steele

Local liberals/progressives, and their middle of the road defenders, are convinced that Nevada County is turning over by rejecting Republican conservative values, and that recent arrivals (County has not grown in five years) are adopting the progressive socialist vision of the Democrats. Really,  just read the comments in some of our local liberal blogs (Links), including the comments on this one. 

Here is the latest from Gallup, the number of conservatives continues to grow.

Conservatives have maintained their leading position among U.S. ideological groups in the first half of 2010. Gallup finds 42% of Americans describing themselves as either very conservative or conservative. This is up slightly from the 40% seen for all of 2009 and contrasts with the 20% calling themselves liberal or very liberal.

Gallup's bottom line:

The ideological orientation of Americans seen thus far in 2010 would represent a record-high level of conservatism (since at least 1992) if it is maintained for the full year. This follows an increase in the percentage of conservatives in 2009 that was fueled by heightened conservatism among independents, a pattern that continues today.

Exit Question:  Is Nevada County really bucking the national trend and going more liberal and progressive.  Really?  Why?

SmartMeters and Solar Storms

Russ Steele

Right now the sun is rather quiet and some solar scientist are predicting that this is the calm before the storm.  Other scientist are saying that this is the storm, a sun that will be quiet for centuries and create the next version of the Little Ice Age.  I am interested in both possibilities.  But, with our smart-meter due in the 1st of July, let's examine the impact of a solar storm, like the one in 1859 storm that destroyed telegraph lines and stations across the nation.

A report by the National Academy of Sciences found that if a storm as severe as one in 1859 occurred today, it could cause $1 trillion to $2 trillion in damage the first year and take four to 10 years to recover.

The 1859 storm shorted out telegraph wires, causing fires in North America and Europe, sent readings of Earth's magnetic field soaring, and produced northern lights so bright that people read newspapers by their light. Today there's a lot more than telegraph lines at stake.

Vulnerable electrical grids circle the globe, satellites now vital for all forms of communications can be severely disrupted along with the global positioning system. Indeed, the panel warned that a strong blast of solar wind can threaten national security, transportation, financial services and other essential functions.

NASA has warned that the Earth could endure a once-in-a-generation "space storm," bringing widespread power blackouts and leaving people without critical communications signals for a long time.

National power grids could overheat and air travel could be disrupted while electronic systems, navigation devices and major satellites could stop working after the Sun reaches its maximum power in a few years.

Senior space agency scientists say the Earth will be hit with unprecedented levels of magnetic energy from solar flares when the Sun awakes "from a deep slumber" around 2013.

I am not sure about the unprecedented levels, however the possibility that a solar storm strong enough impact our electrical grid is relatively high, it has happened before and will happen again.  The issue is when.

Scientist say an extreme events like the 1859 event are a 1-in-100-year probabilities, about the same probability as a storm of the level of Katrina hitting New Orleans.  Well we know the results of that probability. 100 years isn’t that long

The SmartMeter with their integrated circuit chips are more vulnerable to high energy electrical disturbances than the mechanical meters that they replace.  The computer chips in these SmartMeters have a demonstrated vulnerability to stray high energy electrical fields. It will be a huge effort to restore the grid after such a huge solar storm, but it will take even longer to manufacture new SmartMeters and reinstall them in millions of homes across California.

I hope that PG&E is not destroying those mechanical meters. They may need them any day now!  Some where around 2013, unless we are entering another Grand Minimum, then we can relax, there will not be any solar storms to worry about for 20-30 years.

Entrepreneurs and CARB Regulations

Russ Steele

The Nevada County Economic Resource Council held a Small Business & Entrepreneur Seminar this week. George Rebane provided and excellent report on the seminar at Rebane’s Ruminations.

Reading George’s report reminded me of a recent New York Times articles recommending that college graduates who could not find a job upon graduation should consider creating their own jobs by becoming an entrepreneur and start a business.

This in turn reminded me of a  discussion with my friend Anthony Watts.  Anthony blogs at Watts Up With That. He has been on the leading edge of exposing the hoax of human caused global warming, by focusing on climate change facts, rather than feelings. 

Yet, Anthony is an ardent environmentalist who supports installing solar power is homes and public buildings, like schools. He also is also an entrepreneur, starting a company that provides weather services to business, such as motels, hotels, and casinos on big screen displays.

 Anthony built his own electric vehicle by converting a gas powered vehicle to battery power, and loved the results.  He wanted to share his experience with other neighborhood commuters by importing and selling Neighborhood Electric Vehicles build in China. He started a company called ZEV2GO to import and sell these cars.  Great idea, but big problem! 

Anthony need to have CARB certification that his imported cars meets the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Standard. With out CARB certification his vehicles could included in CARBs Drive Clean Program, and be eligible for environmental subsidies.   Details here.

 The Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, aka NEV, is a category invented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). The Neighborhood electric cars can go 20-25 mph and no faster.

    (1)    The vehicle top speed shall not exceed 25 mph when tested in accordance with 49 CFR 571.500.

All cars must be tested by an independent third party agency like Automotive Testing and Development Service in Ontario California.  At AD the vehicles are tested on a dynamo, with full battery charge, and passenger load. It can not exceed 25 mph according to the specification. Not 25.1 mph or 25.4 mph as the test results showed for two vehicles Antony submitted for testing. Even though the Chinese Specifications say the ZEV3GOvehicles do not exceed 25 mph. There is no +/- wiggle room in the specification.

Anthony has been negotiating with CARB for ten months for a waiver and they have refused to consider his request. The message here is that when starting a business entrepreneur must be very aware of the traps hidden in CARB regulations. They can spend a lot of money and then CARBs regulations could put them out of business, before the business even opens.

Walker's GV building up for sale

Russ Steele

I have been buying fountain pens and pen supplies from Walker's Office Supplies for years. It was a big surprise when I got a notice in my email that the Walker's building was for sale.  Details here.

I was in this morning looking for some more ink cartridge and asked about the sale and the future of the business. The shelves were almost empty.  I was told, when the building sells, they will make the final decision to stay open or close. It all depends in the economy, and how soon the building sells.

It will be sad day if Walker's closes.

Local government and the AB32 Suspension Initiative

Russ Steele

Now that the California Jobs Initiative has been placed on the ballot, how will local government agencies, including the Board of Supervisors, City Councils, Economic Resource Council and Chamber of Commerce respond?  Will they support the Initiative, or pretend it does not exist.  The California Jobs Initiative has provided the facts for local leaders consideration. Link to original.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FACT SHEET

A Much-Needed Safety Net for Cities and Counties

Budget Crisis Already Hurting Cities and Counties–AB 32 Mandates Will Make it Worse.

Local government leaders are well aware of the pain caused by the most severe economic crisis since the 1930s with more than 2 million people out of work, home foreclosures, reduced revenues and record high budget deficits.  Now the state is proposing to add billions in new costs to implement AB 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act) despite warnings it will have no impact on global warming and will cause reduced economic activity, lost jobs and further reductions in state and local revenues.

While Other States Exercise Fiscal Caution, California is on the Road to Billions in Higher Energy, Building and Infrastructure Costs

Other states, including those engaged in the Western Climate Initiative, the federal government and nations across the globe are re-thinking their expenditures on greenhouse gas reductions, having recognized the need to protect jobs and rebuild rather than weaken their economies.  California, on the other hand, is racing blindly toward implementing the most far-reaching and expensive new regulations in our state’s history. AB 32-related costs include:

• Up to 60% higher electricity costs (Source: Southern California Public Power Authority, representing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Pasadena, Burbank, Azuza, Banning, Cerritos, Colton, Glendale, Riverside, Vernon and the Imperial Irrigation District)
• Increased gasoline and diesel costs of $3.7 billion a year. (Source: Sierra Research)
• Increased costs of $50,000 for a new home. (Based on National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates for the cost of a zero net energy home.)
• Increased vehicle costs from $1,000 to $3,000.(Source: CARB and auto maker estimates)
• A proposed AB 32 cap-and-trade auction tax of $143 billion between 2012 and 2020 . (CARB, Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee) , in the form of direct costs to some cities and indirect costs equivalent to as much as  a 53 cent per gallon increase in the cost of gasoline
• More than one million lost jobs (Varshney and Associates)

 AB 32 Usurps Local Control

Locally elected leaders are the most familiar with the needs and resources of their communities, and best equipped to make decisions for the good of their constituents. AB 32 would shift local control to the state in such critical areas as:

• Land use
• Transportation
• Waste management
• Building codes

Municipal climate change policies would not be subject to the provisions of the California Jobs Initiative, so local leaders would retain the ability to develop and implement climate change policies that make sense for their communities.

AB 32 =  Higher Costs, Regulatory Confusion and Lost Revenues for Cities and Counties:

• The cost of reducing GHG emissions from municipal buildings, facilities, vehicles, wastewater, landfills and other government operations will require enormous expenditures by local governments.  In addition higher energy costs will decrease economic activity, leading to lost jobs and reduced revenues for state and local governments. 
• AB 32’s costs will come on top of federal regulations currently being developed, which could carry enormous price tags and possibly conflict with state GHG reduction requirements. Add to that the billions in increased obligations passed off by Sacramento to local governments as the state’s persistent budget deficits make it impossible to sustain basic public services, and it’s a recipe for municipal insolvency.

The California Jobs Initiative Will Help Us Recover While Keeping Key Environmental Protections Intact

California already has the strictest air and water quality protection laws in the country,  and the California Jobs Initiative will not weaken those laws in any way. Nor would the measure repeal AB 32. It is a responsible measure that would temporarily re-schedule the onset of costly GHG reduction programs until the economy has a chance to recover (when the unemployment rate returns to 5.5 % for four consecutive quarters.)  This prudent pause will give employers a chance to stabilize and grow their workforces and would give cities and counties the opportunity to deliver essential services during these difficult times without the further burden of higher costs and reduced revenues resulting from AB 32.

I will be sending an email to ask each of the above organizations if they will publicly support the initiative. Will they stand up for the people of California of just vote present. I will report the results here.

Clueless in Nevada County - oil jobs not important (Updated)

Russ Steele

Pat Waynne is a leading member of the the local Democrat Central Committee and regular poster on Jeff Pelline’s blog here.  In a comment on the future of the AB32 Initiative, Pat Waynne wrote:

As for the initiative to repeal A B 32 being a “jobs” bill, haven’t bought any snake oil lately and don’t think there is a big market for it in California. Many years ago, the oil industry in California was important for jobs. This is no longer the case.

Really? According to a March 2009 report by the Milken Institute, an independent economic think tank,  Chevron is one of the larger employers in California with 10,000 employees, which directly impacts the employment of 60,000 other people in associated oil industry jobs. Chevron creates one in every 250 jobs in California.  If you look at the broader energy industry, there are more than 65,000 people employed in the energy industry, with an additional 239,500 jobs produced indirectly.  State wide, the industry earnings total almost $5.8 billion in 2007, with an additional $10.5 Billion in indirect earnings. Are 309,500 jobs insignificant? Really?

Exit Question:  Are California oil industry jobs no longer important to the states economy?

Bonus Exit Questions: How many billions in subsidies would be required to create 309,500 green jobs under CARB's AB32 Scoping Plan?

Update #1(06-23-10,18:15): You cannot make this stuff up. AB32 is about the reduction of CO2, the gas you exhale and comes from the tail pipe of your SUV. It has nothing do do with real air pollution or ozone, but our crazy left does not know that. Consider this from Gail Allinson in the comments in the above referenced blog.

Gail Allinson

Why would anyone in Nevada County want to repeal AB32 when all the air pollution from the rest of the state makes us one of the worst air pollution places in the nation? Frankly if you live and Nevada County and you breathe, then maybe you want to vote in your own interest on this one. Gee, Texas oil companies or my lungs; Texas oil companies or my lungs… And the winner is: my lungs.

How stupid can this useful idiot be?  AB32 restricts the gas that come from her LUNGS! It has nothing to do with the Ozone blowing into the county.  Go figure!

More democracy without leadership is nothing but a debating society

Russ Steele

A proposition has been put forward here that we need more democracy in our local decision making process and abandon the “old boy network” of command and control decision making.  A network that has controlled politics in Nevada County for a long time, perhaps since the County was founded. No comments yet, so let me share some thoughts.

Who were these old boys, they were the leaders in the community that stepped forward to make decisions for the good of the community and some times for the good of the old boys.  It was best when the goals of the community and goals of the old boy were in sync, which was most of the time, but not always and when that happened they were voted out of office.  For years, my Uncle Charles “Chic” Thomas, was one of the good old boys in Nevada City.  By every standard he was a community leader. 

The proposal goes on to extol the virtues of collaborative decision making, as opposed to command and control decision making from the top down by an elected leader or one appointed by the group. In collaborative decision making the issue is discussed and discussed until there is a consensus among the participants as to the right solution.  In the top down, a good leader asks for input from the group and then decides the best course of action. 

If I under stand Steve Frisch’s call for more democracy in small towns, his proposition is that more decision would be made in collaboration, as part of a new order of things. Here is part of the proposition put forth by Steve Frisch at the Sierra Business Council.

There is a changing definition of leadership with the old order possessing a command and control leadership style where power is rarely shared unless forced and position and turf is jealously protected. The younger leaders preferring a collective leadership model where power is deeply shared and decisions are more collaboratively developed.

While this is a lofty goal, collaboration consumes a huge amount of time. It is the prime tool for decision making in Japan and it is often the mode used by mothers in a large family.  Having everyone on board makes the tasks easier to accomplish, but some times it take too long to make decisions in business and government.

As a TRW software project manager, I supervised two software development teams, both lead by experienced software developers, with a group of young new hires from a different generation on the team.  One leader was a woman (Team A), the other a man (Team B), it happens that both were married to each other. Both were equally experienced avionics software developers. 

Team A, managed by the woman promoted consensus problem solving. Problems were discussed and discussed until there was consensus among the whole team. On team B, the man took input from his team and made decisions on how to proceed.  Team A was always behind schedule, but very happy.  Team B was on or ahead of schedule, with some grumbling by the younger members.  Finally, to make our delivery, I had to address the lack of leadership on Team A.  We could not afford the time it took to reach consensus on every problem that came up, at some point leadership was required so a decision could be made and the team could move forward and stay on schedule.

I think that while more democracy and more collaborative decision making is a fine goal, the real issues is the need for effective leadership.  Someone needs to step up and make the decision once the majority has agreed on a course of action. Working toward a 100 percent consensus just wastes time and does not produce any better results.

Over the years of attending public meetings and planning work shops in Nevada County, it was rare to see anyone under 50. The younger generation was absent.  I was encourage by the broader cross section of age groups at the Nevada City Sustainability Workshops. But, the consensus process they were using still has not produced any definitive results. They are still talking, about what to do next.  

The real need in small communities across the Sierra is for the good old boy network to start training the next generation of community leaders.  Democracy without effective leadership is just a debating society.

Is the Smart Grid a Trojan Horse?

Russ Steele

My Off the Top of My Head column for the July CABPRO Magazine concludes that the SmartMeter is a power company camel with it’s nose under your tent flap. I have written about the impact of SB17, which mandates the California implementation of the smart-grid here. This morning  W. Grant Ellis writing in the American Thinker explains why the the Smart Grid is a Trojan Horse for the green movement.

Perhaps you've heard of the Smart Grid initiative. Perhaps you understand that the goal of the initiative is to improve and modernize the nation's power transmission and distribution networks. Maybe your electric utility has even installed a Smart Meter at your home or business. What you probably don't know is that the Smart Grid movement is the Trojan Horse of the green agenda, a step toward Cap & Trade.

Since the time of grid pioneer Samuel Insull, the goal of utilities everywhere has been to balance generation capacity against electrical demand to ensure system integrity. Curiously, this goal is shared in modern times by the green movement. The difference is in how the goal is accomplished.

PG&E keeps telling us that smart meter and the smart grid improvement will save us money in the long run.  Ellis examines this myth in detail in his article, concluding:

Stopping the march to green serfdom will not be easy because a confluence of separate conflicts of interest are securing our fate. On one end, you have the green mafia, who are on the threshold of having their dreams fulfilled. On the other end are vendors who stand to make millions selling "greenware." Between are utilities that will finally secure the means to bear the financial pressures of environmentalism. On the periphery are engineering firms and installation contractors, many that would otherwise starve in this economy but for the Smart Grid initiative. Politicians, of course, are filthy throughout, the most effective offenders being members of state Public Utility Commissions (PUC). Having already enabled costly Renewable Portfolio Standards, no doubt they will approve costly sophisticated rates as well.

The foregoing is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Clearly, the Smart Grid initiative is every bit as ominous as Cap & Trade, perhaps worse, because it romps along without much notice as billions of taxpayer dollars are spent. Fighting it starts with understanding that the initiative isn't really about modernizing the grid in the way most people understand the definition of "modernizing." It's about enabling the green agenda.

Full article here. It is worth your time to read and ponder the Trojan Horse, and then consider the Camel on July 1st.

Schwarzenegger adviser admits AB 32 is completely ineffective!

Eric Eisenhammer, California Jobs Initiative
  
AB 32 is designed to fight global warming (if even real) by using massive taxes and draconian regulations to drastically force down the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by Californians.  However, with California comprising only 1% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, this will have no worthwhile effect other than "showing leadership."
 
In fact, AB 32 could actually increase worldwide CO2 emissions as businesses leave California for less regulated states and countries.  Check out this video of David Crane, a top Schwarzenegger aide admitting AB 32 does nothing.

It is official, suspend AB32 initiative will be on the November ballot (updated 06-22-10)

The Sac Bee Capital Alert Has the Story

AB 32 suspension vote slated for November ballot

Californians heading to the polls in November will vote whether to derail the state's landmark greenhouse gas emission law.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced this afternoon that the measure to delay Assembly Bill 32, the 2006 law mandating the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, has qualified for the ballot. Proponents, who needed to submit at least 435,000 valid voter signatures to make the cut, reached the threshold for qualifying through the random sample process.

The measure, called the California Jobs Initiative, calls for delaying implementation of the regulations until the state unemployment rate -- which currently hovers at about 12 percent -- drops to 5.5 percent for four consecutive quarters.

The initiative's backers deride AB 32 as a "job killer" and say that complying with the law's mandates will hurt businesses on the brink of recovery. They cite various studies, some of which have been dismissed or criticized by other academics, finding that the regulations would cost the state jobs. The Legislative Analyst's Office concluded in a report this spring that AB 32 could result in job losses in the short term but that it was unclear what the long-term impact would be.

Read the rest of the story here. Emphasis was added, because another recent study by Californian Lutheran University, Center for Economic Research and Forecasting declared that there was no way to know the long-term impact, as there was insufficient data on the economic assumptions and parameters used by CARB.

Update #1 (06-22-10, 18:00) Press Release from the Jobs Initiative.