Let us forget, for a moment, that “Earth Hour” is a pointless exercise serving only to make environmentalists feel better about themselves by marginally reducing electrical demand for 0.01% of the year. Let us disregard, for a moment, that the basic reason for having an “Earth Hour” in the first place is fatuous, because global warming alarmism has as much to do with actual science as alchemy does. Instead, as the MSM pushes this stupidity down our gullets once again, let us consider the effects of “Earth Hour,” in terms of power production and that environment. Indeed, a sober analysis suggests that “Earth Hour” doesn’t do anything to save a planet that doesn’t need saving and that it may in fact rather increase air pollution instead of reducing it.

Let us begin with a question: why is “Earth Hour” scheduled for the evening hours?  Answer: you couldn’t do it during daylight with any credibility. Electric demand is highest during the daytime hours, therefore it’s only then that peaking units (generation assets that only operate during times of high demand) kick in to fill the gap. If “Earth Hour” were held when the sun was out, utilities would respond to the drop in demand by kicking the most expensive generating assets off of the grid. This would surely include one of our more expensive sources of power: wind turbines. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA, a part of the Department of Energy) the cost of wind power is about 50% to 100% more than the cost of coal-fired electricity. It’s obvious that, in times of peak demand, a responsible public utility looking out for consumers’ pocketbooks (and their own profits) will shut down a wind farm in deference to a more efficient, less expensive coal plant. (more…)

Like all red-blooded American boys, when Mr. Gisele Bundchen speaks, we listen up to the principal signal-caller of the New England Patriots.  Yes, the man with three Super Bowl rings and babies both by the Brazilian supermodel and actress Bridget Moynahan –

– certainly must be doing something right.

So that’s why we’re getting behind Tom and Gisele and the rest of the right-thinking beautiful people on the planet on March 27 when, in observance of Earth Hour, we all turn off our electric lights at precisely at 8:30 p.m. eastern time and enjoy that Stone Age feeling for one brief, soulful, Gaia-loving moment of universal brotherhood.

Light a candle or curse the darkness — it’s your choice! (more…)