Green New Deal: Fact versus Fiction

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal proposes to save the planet. It calls for the United States to reduce carbon emissions to zero in 10 years.

James Meigs, former editor of Popular Mechanics, tells me “That's a goal you could only imagine possible if you have no idea how the energy economy works or how energy is produced in this country.”

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The Green New Deal calls for a transition to 100 percent renewable energy, many more wind turbines and solar panels.

But the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine.

Because of that, Meigs explains, “You also have to build all this infrastructure to connect [renewables] with energy consumers possibly very far away, and you always need some kind of backup power.”

That means many more transmission lines and bigger batteries.

But “batteries are lousy way to store energy” says physicist Mark Mills, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He also points out that wind mills and solar panels are anything but green, “I have to dig up a 1,000 pounds of stuff to process it … digging up is done with oil, by the way, big machines, so we're consuming energy to quote, save energy. It's not a good path to go.”

It would also be very expensive.

Mills points out, "We're charging more for people who can't afford it and we give money to wealthy people in the form of subsidies to buy 100,000 dollar [electric] cars, put expensive solar arrays on their roof or to be investors in wind farms. We have an upside down Robin Hood in our country to the tunes of 10s and 100s of billions of dollars."

The bottom line, the Green New Deal, even if it were scientifically possible:

Would hurt the poor.

Cost everyone more.

And make energy less reliable.

[biffbifford]

I have a better idea: let’s get rid of politicians in 12 years. It’s The Great New Deal.

[mantasbabenskas]

AOC's knowledge on nuclear power is based on The Simpsons

[wayneyadams]

I taught physics for 33 years, and every year when we came to nuclear physics, I did my best to educate my students about nuclear power. I was honest, and addressed the concerns they had about accidents with facts. The problem is that as soon as they get to the modern American Gulags, we call Universities, they are brainwashed to follow the radical left wing agenda, which includes abolishing nuclear power.

[BrotherCarver]

I remember reading an infuriating article where someone said that Nuclear Energy is bad because when old plants are forced to shut down, Carbon emissions then increased. It's annoying just how many people are mislead by the media and politicians about Nuclear Energy.

[Furzkampfbomber]

I don't need nuclear power plants. _My_ electricity comes out of a power outlet.

[LanceDarby]

It’s not about the environment, it’s about government control and taxation.

[joecittadino]

Why don't we have more journalists like John Stossel? He's like a breath of fresh air (truth).

[clinstar]

As an Eco geek this is pretty factual formation. Nuclear energy is far superior

[jaydog]

More people have fallen off roofs installing solar panels than have died in the entire history of nuclear power... that statement is eye opening!!!

[riyadhfrdausehh]

"People aren't stupid, but they're susceptible to fear."
-A nice, conscientious guy.


this, ladies and gentlemen, is a universal description on why civilizations for millenias are repeating the same mistakes over, and over again.

[kenm.]

These men would be “shouted down” in a speech or lecture because they can’t be allowed to be heard.

[vaman]

The truth never gets old! Thanks John, you're doing great work!

[jacobsmommy]

Germany shut down nuclear, and now they are beholden to Russia for energy. Being self sufficient in energy is also a matter of national security.

[duydatyds]

"The majority of Americans support GND" - Another example of how pure democracy will be a disaster.

[tennwilcox]

John, what will we ever do or truth reveal without you. I have nothing but the utmost love and respect for you and your form of true journalism. Impeccable integrity.

[iamshikhersrivastava]

I am a mechanical engineer and studied power generation extensively. Fortunately in India, engineering schools are run on Science and not swayed by political ideology. We were taught, correctly the pros and cons of Wind, solar and hydro. And also that Nuclear power is the only safe and reliable 'green' energy option.We have been building and plan to build many new nuclear power plants accross India. It is interesting to see how America (which I considered a great country as a child) has been regressing and India has been progressing.

[Alan]

I am a Physicist and I have been trying to explain, for years to as many people as I can, everything in this video. But my outreach is small, I am only one person. So thank you John Stossel for showing almost 1 million people what the true facts are when it comes to energy production.

[michaelarbach]

I used to watch you on TV when I was a kid. I'm so glad to see you have an independent channel now. Please rally together other independent journalists and start a network. You don't need a billion dollars to compete with FOX or CNN - all you need is the integrity that you already possess and have proven to maintain over decades in a corrupt industry. It's good to have you back, Mr. Stossel ~Subbed

[mrwansabah]

I like the topics he tackles and the conversation he creates around them.

[RK]

"It is always attractive to say you will do good at the expense of others." --Milton Friedman