Michael’s Recent Comments

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  With the exception of the very important issue of the grid, which is a collective action problem whose non-resolutioin will stop us from making best use of many of the best *generation* sources (notably baseload solar (=Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) -- NOT photovoltaics!)), it seems to me that all of the complementary policies are made unnecessary by a carbon pricing scheme. That is, the whole point of a carbon pricing system is that all the planet cares about is the carbon reduction, not how I get there: whether I make a very efficient engine and run it with a high-carbon fuel, or a relatively inefficient engine and run a very low-carbon fuel, or some intermediate combination, doesn't matter so long as the absolute CO2 output is the same. By putting a ceiling on, we bring the absolute CO2 down by the price mechanism -- and it lets many different ways of achieving that goal compete, so that the most cost-effective or otherwise-preferable ways of achieving the goal become dominant.

  And, the comment about agriculture seems a non sequitur: the solution there is just to bring agriculture under the system, as Vilsack is already proposing. My house's electricity comes from a manure methane capture system, eg, and teh green-eyeshade crew we can certainly come up with numbers for nitrogen fertilizers and cow burps.

  On Myth: Climate policy is primarily about putting a price on carbon posted 7 months, 1 week ago 9 Responses

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  Have to agree with most other commenters: significantly less attractive, much more generic (this could be a personal finance blog -- the old site had a 'green', 'earthy' look, and while that may be a bit too pigeon-holing, this is definitely not an improvement), no easier to navigate, and indeed, lacking the 'what's new or hot' effect of the old front page scan.

  Also, is your podcast being revamped and returned with the relaunch of the site?

  On Welcome to the new Grist! posted 7 months, 1 week ago 106 Responses

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  Have to agree with most other commenters: significantly less attractive, much more generic (this could be a personal finance blog -- the old site had a 'green', 'earthy' look, and while that may be a bit too pigeon-holing, this is definitely not an improvement), no easier to navigate, and indeed, lacking the 'what's new or hot' effect of the old front page scan.

  Also, is your podcast being revamped and returned with the relaunch of the site?

  On Welcome to the new Grist! posted 7 months, 1 week ago 106 Responses

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  More Market Factors

  Thou hast no right but to do thy Will.

  It's worth adding that, of course, the cost to ADM (and, from them, to HFCS users) is also being driven up by the surge in corn prices, driven by the irresponsible (corn) ethanol mandate, the aforementioned tarif on the more sustainable Brazilian sugar-cane ethanol, and the high price of a barrel of oil, which is actually enough to move Brazilian (and other) drivers with flex-fuel vehicles to switch from petrol to ethanol on pure cost considerations ...

  Love is the law, love under will.On A speculation about why ADM's HFCS business is booming. posted 1 year, 7 months ago 6 Responses