Budget Watch Nevada

On Friday it was reported that Harry Reid got some sound-bite press coverage while grandstanding about three power plants scheduled to be built in Nevada. My initial reaction was, “why would Uncle Harry be against more power supply in our state?”

But we should never underestimate the thrill of power among US Senators, and their limitless sense of self-importance. In Reid’s case, he’s a very powerful idiot.

The article stated, “U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday he’ll do ‘everything I can’ to stop construction of three major coal-fired power plants in his home state of Nevada and will push for more alternative energy development.

‘I just can’t do that. I’m going to do everything I can to stop it,’ he said. ‘All these power moguls want to do is to steal our air and water,’ Reid said, adding that the power plants might be good for economic development in rural areas ‘but this isn’t good for Nevada. I can’t comprehend how much coal would be used.’”

Well, I can’t comprehend how Hapless Harry can be so ignorant about market economics. A normal person would think that $5 billion in construction/development projects would be good for Nevada’s economy, as would an expanded, more reliable source of electricity. And when he talks about “these power moguls,” puh-lease! What a hypocrite! Reid has built a career on being a power mogul, capitalizing on being an influence peddler, rewarding his allies, and punishing his political foes.

Then we read that “State consumer advocate Eric Witkoski called Reid’s statement ‘kind of refreshing’ and said he shared Reid’s concerns. Coal-fired plants use a lot of water, a precious commodity in the desert, and appear to contribute to global warming, Witkoski said.”

“Witkoski fears Congress will either force coal-burning industries to pay a tax or buy credits from other companies through so-called ‘cap-and-trade’ markets that cap total carbon dioxide pollution. That would increase the cost of power from the Ely plant.”

Why is a so-called “state consumer advocate” offering support for Reid’s rant? Shouldn’t he be supporting anything that helps the consumer, such as lower, stable costs for energy, along with jobs and investment in our state? Hmm.

Meanwhile, the feds are steadily marching towards a central-planning scheme of “cap-and-trade” credits for power plants. In a misguided effort to suck up to the Chicken Littles of the so-called “global warming” scare, Congress will race to show that it is concerned. They are obviously concerned more about public perception than they are about our economic development and quality of life.

In an insightful article by Tom Borelli in Townhall.com, Dr. Borelli explores the myth of cap-and-trade effectiveness. He also makes a great point about large corporations getting in bed with environmental advocates for political activism, often to the detriment of the corporation and its stockholders. Good stuff.

Bottom line: enjoy your nice air conditioning while it lasts. It won’t be long before it’s being rationed in Soviet-style fashion. Of course Harry “Karl Marx” Reid won’t be subject to any power restrictions. He needs to be comfortable and protected so he can keep on doing what’s best for us and to provide for the common good.