by Adam N. Michel, Cato at Liberty, June 25, 2025
Excerpt:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) undertakes a comprehensive analysis of federal energy subsidies, encompassing direct expenditures, tax benefits, research and development funding, and loan guarantees. The findings? Fossil fuels are, rather surprisingly, the least favored in the subsidy race, making up a mere fraction across all categories.
In 2022, fossil fuel sources—coal, natural gas, and petroleum—garnered $3.2 billion in federal support, accounting for only 11 percent of the overall subsidy pie. In stark contrast, renewables and nuclear energy basked in nearly $15.6 billion, taking home a whopping 54 percent. As illustrated in Figure 1, expenditures for conservation and end use made up the remaining 35 percent, yet these funds aren’t allocated to specific energy types.
When we examine subsidies relative to the energy output of each source, the disparity grows starker. Renewables and nuclear enjoy subsidies that are 19 times greater per energy unit produced compared to coal, oil, and natural gas. Zooming in on renewables alone, the subsidy rate skyrockets to 30 times that of fossil fuels. While it’s plausible that fossil fuels fared better in subsidy distribution prior to recent federal outlays, historical data indicates that from 1950 to 2016, average federal energy incentives for renewables were about six times higher than those for oil, gas, and coal.
by Caleb Petitt, Libertarianism.org, June 25, 2025.
Excerpt:
Smith’s analysis of the Navigation Acts has become a favorite talking point for protectionists while simultaneously vexing free traders and advocates of liberty. However, a closer look reveals that Smith was not the unqualified advocate of the Navigation Acts that some portray him to be. In his seminal work, Wealth of Nations, he explicitly called for the abolition of the colonial-trade provisions—the very crux of these regulations during his era. Regarding the seacap provisions, the focus of this discussion, Smith consistently expressed skepticism:
- He contested the notion that the Navigation Acts enriched British wealth.
- Rather than lauding the Acts themselves, he critiqued their intentions and outcomes.
- He doubted their effectiveness in curtailing Dutch trade or bolstering England during wartime.
- He underscored the particular historical circumstances that led to the enactment of the Navigation Acts.
- He argued against the uniqueness of the carrying trade concept.
- He put forth a complex relationship between national defense and prosperity that is often overlooked.
Overall, Smith’s writings suggest a clear disapproval of the seacap provisions, undermining their purported objectives.
DRH note: This article is lengthy and I haven’t fully digested it yet, but it certainly piques my interest. A reread is definitely on the agenda for later today.
by Eric Tingwall, Motor Trend, June 20, 2025.
Excerpt:
As the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) has been ratified as proposed, many U.S. homeowners will soon find themselves barred from installing their own electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The only potential barrier to this regulation was a last-ditch motion to remove the offending clause during the National Fire Protection Association’s annual technical meeting on June 20, 2025.
The new NEC states, “Permanently installed electric vehicle power transfer system equipment shall be installed by qualified persons.” The definition of a “qualified person” is, unfortunately, vaguely articulated, likely leading to local interpretations that require a licensed electrician.
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that criminalizing DIY installations does not prevent homeowners from attempting their own electrical work. It does, however, ensure that any amateur-installed EV chargers will bypass necessary permits and safety inspections, potentially compromising safety.
by David Kemp, Regulation, Summer 2025.
Excerpts:
“Climate” refers to the long-term average of atmospheric conditions, typically observed over 30 years or more, while “weather” pertains to short-term phenomena. Each individual weather event results from a complex web of variables, including thermodynamic influences (like radiative forcing—the balance between solar energy absorbed by Earth and energy radiated back into space) and dynamic processes (such as atmospheric circulation, which facilitates heat distribution across the planet). As greenhouse gas emissions alter the climate, they also shift weather patterns. However, attributing a specific weather event to these emissions—distinct from natural climate variations—remains an impossible task.
And:
As the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) has been ratified as proposed, many U.S. homeowners will soon find themselves barred from installing their own electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The only potential barrier to this regulation was a last-ditch motion to remove the offending clause during the National Fire Protection Association’s annual technical meeting on June 20, 2025.
The new NEC states, “Permanently installed electric vehicle power transfer system equipment shall be installed by qualified persons.” The definition of a “qualified person” is, unfortunately, vaguely articulated, likely leading to local interpretations that require a licensed electrician.
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that criminalizing DIY installations does not prevent homeowners from attempting their own electrical work. It does, however, ensure that any amateur-installed EV chargers will bypass necessary permits and safety inspections, potentially compromising safety.
