The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels

Energy Gang

Wood Mackenzie

Tech News, Environment, Sustainability, Innovation, Renewable Energy, Technology, Alternative Energy, Energy, News, Cleantech, Wind Energy, Business, Climate Change, Solar Energy

4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 February 2015

⏱️ 46 minutes

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Summary

The case against fossil fuels is simple. Oil, coal and gas have been an extraordinary gift of nature that allowed modern society to flourish. But now, because of extreme climate risk and the competitiveness of renewable energy, we can (and must) leave those resources in the ground. But Alex Epstein believes that argument is too simplistic. In his new book, “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels,” Epstein argues that fossil fuels are unfairly demonized. Pointing to positive trends in economic growth, pollution control and climate deaths – helped by energy abundance – Epstein says that fossil fuels should be celebrated, not disparaged. This week, we’ll interview Epstein and discuss the merits of his arguments. Then, later in the show, we’ll ask whether ratepayers should be funding PG&E’s new electric vehicle charging project, and check in with the ARPA-E Innovation Summit. This podcast is sponsored by Kaco New Energy, a leading manufacturer of solar PV inverters for every size and module type. The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussions between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This Podcast is brought to you by Kako New Energy, one of the world's largest
0:06.1	manufacturers of solar inverters. With 850 employees and offices in 16 countries,
0:11.6	the company has sold 7 gigawatts of
0:14.0	inverters for arrays of every size, from the smallest homes to the largest
0:18.0	solar farms. To find out more, visit Kaco-New Energy.com.
0:24.0	For the week of February 12, 2015,
0:31.0	this is the Energy Gang from Green Tech Media.
0:34.3	In this episode, the moral case for fossil fuels, are those who demonize oil, gas, and coal
0:46.4	missing the broader picture about their benefit?
0:48.8	Alex Epstein, the author of a new book on the subject joins us to argue his case.
0:53.0	Then a major California utility is looking to make an unprecedented investment in EV chargers.
0:59.0	Is it a needed boost for the state's zero-emission car goals or an unnecessary rate-payer expense.
1:05.0	Finally, we'll get some takeaways from this week's ARPA E Energy Innovation Summit.
1:09.0	I'm Green Tech Media, senior editor Stephen Lacy, in Washington as as always here to guide the discussion and my co-hosts are here
1:17.1	Catherine Hamilton and Jigger Shaw
1:19.2	Catherine is in DC with me she's a partner at 38 North Solutions. How are you, Catherine?
1:25.3	I'm doing fine, thanks Stephen. So I couldn't help but do some research after you said you
1:30.9	spotted Michael J. Fox running around that DeLorian and it turns out that it was not actually Michael J Fox.
1:38.0	What alerted me was I realized that he has pretty severe Parkinson's
1:41.0	so he wouldn't actually be driving a car I don't think.
1:43.0	Yeah I'm afraid I need to go back to the I store and get some new glasses but it was
1:48.2	still cool to see the car driving down the street. Well in fairness a lot of
	...

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