Economic suicide by electric bill.
Some states, like some countries, seem to want to plug in the toaster, press down the lever, and jump into a bath full of water with it.
Minnesota appears to be such a state. Their ideological commitment to “green” energy is having the effect of forcing dirty manufacturing to shut up shop and lay off the workforce as they try to find someplace to move with less burdensome electric rates—or folding altogether:
Northern Foundry was the definition of an energy-intensive business. The firm used electric induction furnaces to melt ductile iron into parts used for the automotive, heavy truck, industrial, and recreational industries. When operating at full capacity, the facility consumed six megawatts (MW) of power, equivalent to the average consumption of 5,660 Minnesota homes.
In an average year, this facility would likely use more than 30,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity every year, and as rates have risen, the rising prices increased Northern Foundry’s costs by an estimated $1.2 million, or about 27 percent of the company’s payroll. Ultimately, they saw the writing on the wall and closed up shop for good.
Some policies produced by government are too stupid to make for good fiction.
But the energy industry, singled out for imposed reform by carbon-dioxide obsessives, is having a grand time joining forces with policy makers to increase their profits as they assist the state’s economic suicide.
The saddest part about this entire situation is that it was entirely foreseeable and occurred largely because of the poor policy decisions made in the state. As a result, 91 families didn’t need to learn that they’ll soon be out of a job.
Hopefully, the loss of the Northern Foundry can serve as a warning sign to policymakers so they understand that enacting the same policies as Europe and expecting different results is a recipe for green deindustrialization.
That sounds optimistic, but I am far less so. The anti-carbon mania is too deeply ingrained in the minds of western movers and shakers to be derailed by much of anything.
Israel Launches Retaliatory Strike Against Iran
The move threatens to push the countries deeper into an escalatory spiral that could lead to war.
(What's wrong with this sentence?)
When my oldest got married, he and his wife incorporated their dog into the ceremony; the dog walked down the aisle. I was frisked for dog biscuits by my wife, who thought I might, well, ummm, not act grownup. I confess I secretly rooted for the dog to bark during the ceremony.
It's not quite the same, but I got my wish today! Saw this on X.
https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1780880026654695568