To put that figure (3.87 cents per kWh) in perspective, if a carbon tax were initiated at $30 per tonne (At that price, the world’s annual CO2 output would be priced at $1 trillion – approximately 35 billion tonnes x $30 — and it is hard to see how Wall Street could resist getting in on the action), a coal power plant, which emits almost 1 metric ton of CO2 per megawatt-hour, would have the same cost just for carbon as the entire “all-in” cost for PV. The coal plant also has to constantly pay for fuel. (Though, to be fair, the NV Energy price takes advantage of the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ACWA project in Dubai, as mentioned, does not).
Gulp.The IEA reckons the annual value of direct subsidies to the fossil fuel industry runs over $500 billion. An IMF working paper released this month (How Large Are Global Energy Subsidies?) figures that the “Post-tax energy subsidies are dramatically higher than previously estimated—$4.9 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2013, and projected to reach $5.3 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2015.”
Also interesting part of the report: But still, more than a trillion dollars is an insane amount of subsidy for energy.Of course, energy subsidies vary substantially by region and so does the urgency of reform.
In dollar terms, Emerging and Developing Asia accounts for about half of post-tax subsidies
in 2013, and advanced economies account for about one-quarter.
The last time I can remember was the party platform from 1856 when they called Slavery one of the twin relics of barbarism: http://www.ushistory.org/gop/convention_1856republicanplatform.htm but since then? uh.... well.... REGAN! (or something)Resolved: That the Constitution confers upon Congress sovereign powers over the Territories of the United States for their government; and that in the exercise of this power, it is both the right and the imperative duty of Congress to prohibit in the Territories those twin relics of barbarism — Polygamy, and Slavery.
Is that really what it was, or were there other sects that practiced polygamy at the time? I only ask because no matter what your feeling about polygamy, the scales involved in slavery and polygamy at that time weren't really comparable. It's interesting that those two 'relics' were considered on the same level for the purposes of the platform.
agreed. I don't know of many other sects that were practicing the multi-spouse thing. I don't think many - at least not in the numbers that the mormons were. Certainly slavery seems to be FAR more important than polygamy... but there's one of the many reasons why I'm no longer a registered republican (I'm not convinced that I was a real one to begin with): Rarely are the issues they focus on, actually issues that belong at the forefront. Slavery? you betcha. Polygamy? Abortion? Opposing Gay Marriage? uh.... I think you've got better things to do.