Dana Mathewson

Judith Curry is one of the world’s most respected climate scientists. On Wednesday, she testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the complexities and uncertainties that are too often unacknowledged in the debate over global warming. Her testimony is here and is worth reading in its entirety. Its rational, scientific approach contrasts strongly with the ill-informed hysteria that usually predominates on this topic.

On pages 7-8 of her written testimony, Dr. Curry addresses the recent natural gas "brownout” in central Minnesota–an event that illuminated the danger of reliance on "green” energy:

The recent record-breaking cold outbreak in the Midwest is a stark reminder of the challenges of providing a reliable power supply in the face of extreme weather events, where an inadequate power supply not only harms the economy, but jeopardizes lives and public safety. Last week, central Minnesota experienced a natural gas ‘brownout,’ as Xcel Energy advised customers to turn thermostats down to 60 degrees and avoid using hot water.27 Why? Because the wind wasn’t blowing during an exceptionally cold period. Utilities pair natural gas plants with wind farms, where the gas plants can be ramped up and down quickly when the wind isn’t blowing. With bitter cold temperatures and no wind, there wasn’t enough natural gas.

This paragraph was based on a Power Line post, and footnote 27 goes to Why Green Energy Is Futile, In One Lesson. We appreciate the fact that Dr. Curry recognized the importance of this event as a red flag for those who naively assume that "green” energy is a practical alternative to reliable energy.

One greatly wishes that the House's new loudmouth, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and that she might have heard Dr. Curry's testimony. However, if she were, she probably would not have understood it, or paid attention to it. You, dear readers, can get the entire testimony from the link above. I intend to avail myself of it as soon as I finish posting.

The entire Power Line article, which I greatly commend to you, is here:  https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/02/power-line-goes-to-washington.php

And in case you're wondering, your North-Central States editor and his wife did NOT experience the problems mentioned in the article.

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