Tag Archives: Real Clear Energy

We Are Creating The Jobs. Are We Creating The Workforce?

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On Tuesday, Real Clear Energy posted an article about the changing energy sector workforce in Pennsylvania.

The article reports:

Every summer, I volunteer at a business camp for high school students in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For nearly two decades, the parking lot outside our hotel has served as an unorthodox economic indicator.

In the early years, the lot was nearly empty when we returned each evening – you could always find an open parking spot near the door. Then the Marcellus Shale boom arrived. And by 2012, good luck finding a spot at all! White work trucks filled the lot and spilled into the neighboring shopping center. Many trucks carried license plates from Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

…The explanation was straightforward. The industry had grown faster than Pennsylvania’s workforce pipeline. Modern shale development required welders, electricians, equipment operators, technicians, engineers, and safety professionals. Pennsylvania had the resource and a proud energy heritage, but the modern shale workforce needed to expand tenfold, overnight. In too many energy-related occupations, the pool of trained workers simply was not large enough.

…For too long, we have spoken as though success has only one starting point: a four-year degree. But a paid apprenticeship can be every bit as ambitious, rigorous, and fulfilling as a bachelor’s degree. A power plant control room may also offer more stability than many entry-level cubicles, and probably requires fewer meetings that could have been emails.

The article concludes:

So, while there are still white trucks in hotel parking lots, I now see more Pennsylvania license plates than out-of-state plates during my annual week in Williamsport. But we must be thinking about preparing the next generation of Pennsylvania workers to power our future.

As we recognize Labor Day, it should be more than a retrospective celebration of those already on the job. It should also remind us of the need to prepare the next generation of workers that will uphold our high quality of life.

Pennsylvania’s energy opportunity should be powered by Pennsylvania workers. That starts by giving young people facts, hope, and an open invitation to help build the future.

Career paths do not come in one-size-fits-all. Apprenticeships can be as rewarding (financially and in other areas) as a four-year degree. Engineers and other scientists are needed, but you don’t call an electrical engineer when you need someone to work on the wiring in your house!

Getting On Board With American Energy Independence

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On June 29th, Real Clear Energy posted an article about Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s plans to increase energy production in his state.

The article reports:

President Donald J. Trump’s energy plans to promote oil and gas production can reset the world stage, and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is on board. This month he signed into law a bill that prioritizes production of fossil fuels and nuclear power, rather than wind and solar power, in his state.

The new law, Act 462 (formerly HB 692), sponsored by Rep. Jacob Landry (no relation to Gov. Landry), requires the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources to focus on production of domestic fuel, rather than energy sources that rely on foreign countries for materials. The law extends the definition of green energy to nuclear power and natural gas.

This law is so obvious that it is surprising that it needs to be passed at all, especially in Louisiana, which has no requirement to produce electricity from wind and solar power. Rates, at 13 cents per kilowatt hour, are below the U.S. average, but they have risen steadily from 9 cents per kilowatt hour in 2020.

Just to provide some perspective, the cost of a kilowatt hour of electricity in Massachusetts, where there are wind farms, is 33 cents. In New York State it is 26 cents. In Virginia and North Carolina, the cost is 14 cents. States with liberal governments don’t seem to be able to keep electricity prices low.

The article notes:

Lower U.S. electricity prices will reduce manufacturing costs in America, attracting foreign investment and creating jobs. In emerging economies, more support for fossil fueled power plants will lower energy prices.

The U.S. has approximately 1.7 trillion barrels of technically recoverable oil and over 4 quadrillion cubic feet of technically recoverable natural gas resources. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed increasing US production by 3 million barrels per year, potentially driving prices below $50 a barrel.

Oil prices below $50 a barrel would be a problem for the Russian economy and could possibly end the Russia-Ukraine War (due to Russia no longer being able to finance it).

The article concludes:

Similarly, the new Louisiana law specifically calls for “minimizing reliance on foreign nations for critical materials or manufacturing by prioritizing infrastructure necessary to deliver energy to Louisiana customers.”

Cheaper energy caused by additional U.S. production and loans for fossil-fuel power plants would also benefit people in emerging economies, especially Africa and Latin America, without reliable electricity and cheap fuel. Lower oil prices empower countries with poor electricity distribution, lowering costs of diesel generators, used by businesses and households.

The federal government is shifting to energy dominance, but states can still stand in the way. Louisiana’s new law provides a model for other states to follow.

Let’s stop depending on China for our energy infrastructure.