Archive: October 2024

We Really are in a Recession

21 October 2024
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New research suggests that the U.S. economy has been in a recession for the last two years if one adjusts the statistics used for inflation, reports Epoch Time.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, cumulative inflation since 2019 has totaled nearly 25 percent. But inflation figures have been understated by nearly half, resulting in cumulative growth to be “overstated by roughly 15%,” say economists EJ Antoni and Peter St. Onge.

“. . . these adjustments indicate that the American economy has actually been in recession since 2022,” they wrote in a new study published in Brownstone Journal.

Undercounting inflation has implications for economic growth because rapid price changes have bolstered the nominal values of a wide array of economic metrics “without resulting in any real change.”

New orders for durable goods have increased 7.5 percent (nominal) but fallen 13.4 percent (real). Retail sales have rocketed more than 23 percent (nominal) but rose 3.2 percent after adjusting for inflation. Nominal disposable personal income has surged about 35 percent, but the real rate has been just nearly 13 percent.

Nominal GDP at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate shows the national economy has soared 37.4 percent from the first quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2024. But the way the Bureau of Economic Research evaluates those figures is “flawed,” report the economists.

Utilizing more accurate measures for housing, regulatory costs, and indirect costs yields a more accurate inflation measurement and therefore a more accurate valuation of real GDP, say the researchers.

Antoni and St. Onge conclude that the adjusted real GDP (gross domestic product) fell 2.5 percent from the first quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2024, which means that the nation entered a recession in the first quarter of 2022 and remained in that contraction through the second quarter of 2024.

The paper aimed to address various “egregious biases in inflation statistics” to gauge an accurate assessment of inflation over the last five years.

“The CPI has grossly underestimated housing cost inflation,” they wrote, highlighting that the consumer price index (CPI) fails to “actually account” for the direct cost of homeownership. Instead, federal statisticians rely on the “owners’ equivalent rent of residences,” which accounts for more than 26 percent of the CPI.

“If the costs to rent and own change commensurately over time, then this methodology will be relatively accurate,” the economists stated. “Unfortunately, the cost of owning a home has risen much faster than rents over the last four years and the CPI has grossly underestimated housing cost inflation.”

Measuring price changes when consumers are not directly charged for services is another challenge to accurately measuring inflation.

Health insurance is one example of this hurdle to correctly assessing inflation.

“Premiums are used both to pay for the actual cost of providing the service of insurance (risk mitigation) and for medical services and commodities,” the report said. “The CPI neglects both, and instead imputes the cost of health insurance from the profits of health insurers.”

So Let’s Keep Solution Local

21 October 2024
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

It was quite disappointing to read the Governor’s Housing Task Force report and find not a single mention of property rights. It is after all the colossal violation of property rights that contributes most significantly to the imposition of costly regulations that make housing unaffordable.

The closest they came to giving even the slightest nod to property rights was a statement that said, “… homebuyers have the right to build and live on smaller pieces of land if they choose.” No dah! What an amazing discovery – in a free country, no less.

The task force was most accurate in identifying that the root of the problem of costly housing emanates mostly from local municipalities where “professionals” ply their trade of violating property rights and imposing utopian ideals and their costs upon citizens – which is usually rubber stamped by city administrators and councils in pursuit of special interests or lack the courage to stand up for the rights of property owners.

When you have bureaucrats telling citizens what kind of fence they have to have on their property and where to put it, or that they have to plant trees and what kind of trees, or how wide their garage door has to be and where it has to be, whether they can put an apartment in their basement, install a basketball hoop, have a three story building, conduct business in their building or how to build a deck – REALLY! at some point they are violating the right to determine how to use the property for which the property owner paid.

Those kinds of restrictions would never happen if government — at all levels —  respected the citizens they serve – if government recognized the Constitution and citizen rights.

I remember some years ago, William Perry Pendley, an attorney and property rights advocate, and former president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, saying  that almost all regulations are unconstitutional but they remain in force because no one has ever challenged them. That’s why the recent Chevron court decision was greeted with such applause by the business and private sectors – – it laid bare that fact.

If getting permitted in the process of building a house can add as much as 20 – 30 or 40 percent to the overall cost, which was cited as a problem by the task force, maybe the answer isn’t to try to get bureaucrats to respond quicker but to recognize that the person who OWNS the property shouldn’t have to ask permissions of someone who does not OWN the property. The bureaucrats certainly shouldn’t be dictating the minutia of what the property owner CHOOSES to do, right down to the details of fences, landscaping or paint colors!!!

Of course there are issues of safety and interconnecting with utilities,  traffic, etc. that have to be dealt with in collaboration with government officials, but they are not the things that make housing unaffordable. And even for issues of esthetics or other communal concerns there are processes that can be pursued that do not violate individual rights – but they most often do impose costs upon those who are trying to push the cost onto someone else. And, further, let’s bear in mind while all these regulations impose economic losses on many property owners there are others who position themselves and promote such regulations to enrich themselves in one way or another.

Anyone who understands how the free market works should truly be scratching their head as to why we even have a housing crisis. Any time there is a market demand for any kind of commodity or service, the market – ie. entrepreneurs and producers – usually responds so quickly that most consumers have been served long before politicians and bureaucrats can hold their first committee meeting. Anytime that does not happen there is usually only one reason – government. Even when it doesn’t appear to be government, if one digs deep enough they find it is government.

That local government is at the root of the problem is most unfortunate because those are the people least likely to want to address the problem.  There were occasional mentions, by the task force, that even though local governments had the authority to act, in some cases the State may have to take action. But, there were also objections from those worried about losing “local control.”

There is no need to lose local control, not if local leaders take up the challenge and address their local regulations with a total focus on removing unnecessary edicts and costs and letting the market (ie. homeowners) determine the product. That will undoubtedly require some different leadership – citizen leaders, not bureaucrats offering “model” solutions from on –high. We need a group of people who understand markets and respect property rights, as well as knowing what the barriers are – those who have been most often ignored in the past. 

But if that cannot be achieved and solving the problem must become the role of the State – then lets gett’er done. 

Simms Fishing Products Sells, Again

21 October 2024
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The Bozeman –based company Simms Fishing Products is to be sold again as part of a group of companies being purchased by Revelyst for $1.125 billion. The deal is expected to close in January.

Revelyst includes the brands Bushnell Golf, Bell, Giro and CamelBak in addition to Simms, and is a division of Vista Outdoor Inc., which bought Simms in 2022 for $192.5 million. After purchasing Simms, and two other local brands, Vista located its company in Bozeman. They two other local companies were Blackhawk in Manhattan, and Stone Glacier, Bozeman.

Simms, recognized nationally for fishing products a, is located  west of Bozeman at Four Corners . It was founded in 1980 and purchased by K.C. Walsh in 1993.

The deal is with Strategic Value Partners, LLC, or “SVP,” which is a “global alternative investment firm” that manages $19 billion in assets. It is located in Greenwich, Connecticut and has offices in New York and London.

Ranch House Seeks Tax Rebate To Support Expansion Plans

21 October 2024
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Project Meats, also known as Ranch House is seeking a tax abatement for the renovation of their new facility at 2032 Old Hardin Road in Lockwood.

Owners of the 17 –year –old business, Shane and Tanya Flowers plan to invest $1.1 million to continue to expand their meat processing and retail sales business. They process meat for customers, making snack sticks, jerky, sausage and other specialty products. They also wholesale fresh portions of meats, as well as distribute their products to warehouses across the central US to the Mexican border.

Once fully operational they will process 46,000 pounds of meat trim a day, turning it into snacks, sausage and jerky. They have another plant for processing local meat, as well as bringing in meat from clients from all over the US.

The company employs 15  full time people and 6 part time. As they proceed with their expansion they expect to have 25 full time employees and 10 part time within the next two years.

The abatement request will be considered by County Commissioners at a public hearing. The five year abatement program grants a reduction on property taxes upon the value of the new improvements. The first year the tax is zero, and then increases 20 percent incrementally each year until reaching the full 100 percent assessment. 

Oil & Gas Lease Sale on Trust Land Record Setting

21 October 2024
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Along with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Governor Greg Gianforte announced a record-setting oil and gas lease sale on state trust lands, totaling $2.85 million in revenue.

“We’ll continue to ramp up American-made energy in Montana to make our state and nation energy independent and secure,” Gov. Gianforte said. “All the while, we’ll prioritize additional revenues from these oil and gas lease sales for the benefit our schools and to ensure our kids have access to the best education possible.”

Approved by the State Board of Land Commissioners this morning, this sale represents the most revenue from a single sale since 2012.

It also ranks as the highest average bid price per acre and on a single tract in the history of oil and gas lease sales on state trust lands.

The sale included 4 tracts in in Pondera, Richland, and Toole counties. The lease sale was held on an online auction format through EnergyNet from August 29 to September 4.

“DNRC has the privilege of managing natural resources to generate revenue from state trust lands throughout Montana to support our public schools,” said DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. “This record-setting sale will bring additional funding for students in public schools throughout the state.”

Funds generated by leases on state trust lands contribute to the education fund for the state. Oil and gas leases are comprised of a set annual leasing fee per acre, plus a one-time competitive bid, known as the bonus amount. If the leases are developed and produce oil, they generate additional royalty revenues.

DNRC manages state trust lands, including the auction of oil and gas leases. For more information on oil and gas lease sales, see here.

Nuclear Struggles Against Subsidies

21 October 2024
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Microsoft and Constellation Energy plan to spend $1.6 billion to restart the reactor at Three Mile Island. Oracle announced it will build a data center powered by 3 small modular reactors (SMR), as have other companies. While the increasing interest in nuclear fuel is welcomed by most, the renaissance is threatened by the “massive subsidies” the government gives to alternative green energies, “which dwarf those given to hydrocarbons and nuclear power,” according to Robert Bryce, writing in Substack.

The subsidies discourage prospective nuclear investors, because  solar and wind are gorging on federal tax credits  –“in 2022, solar energy producers got about 300 times more in federal tax incentives . . . Wind energy producers got 70 times more.”

An even bigger road block, however, are regulations and permitting processes that create delays and massive over-runs in cost. Bryce predicts, “a massive shakeout looms. . Of the dozens of companies that have announced interest in nuclear, Bryce said probably only three will succeed and the first nuclear generators won’t be seen until sometime in 2030 – not soon enough.

NFIB Survey: Business Owners Express Uncertainty

21 October 2024
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There was little optimism to be found in the most recent release of NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) report, but a whole lot of uncertainty, in fact, a record amount.

NFIB’s Optimism Index, also known as the SBET, recorded its 33rd consecutive month below its 50-year average. The uncertainty index raised eyebrows, rising 11 points to 103—the highest reading recorded.

“With elections right around the corner, there’s bound to be some level of uncertainty percolating among small business owners, but what we’re seeing right now is not your typical election season anxiety,” said Ronda Wiggers, Montana state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which produces the Optimism Index, also known as the Small Business Economic Trends report.

“There’s a massive federal tax increase set to automatically kick in on January 1, 2026, if Congress fails to act in the next 15 months. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act would address this problem by preserving the 20% Small Business Deduction, but the likelihood of next year’s Congress and the executive branch working together concerns many small business owners.”

 “Small business owners are feeling more uncertain than ever. Uncertainty makes owners hesitant to invest in capital spending and inventory, especially as inflation and financing costs continue to put pressure on their bottom lines. Although some hope lies ahead in the holiday sales season, many Main Street owners are left questioning whether future business conditions will improve.”

Other Highlights from the SBET Report

* The average rate paid on short maturity loans was 10.1%, up 0.6 of a point from August. The last time it was this high was February 2001.

* Thirty-four percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down six points from August and the lowest reading since January 2021.

* Seasonally adjusted, a net 32% reported raising compensation, down one point from August and remaining the lowest reading since April 2021.

* Twenty-three percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business (higher input and labor costs), down one point from August but remaining the top issue.

NFIB’s monthly (SBET) report is the gold standard measurement of America’s small business economy. Used by the Federal Reserve, Congressional leaders, administration officials, and state legislatures across the nation, it’s regarded as the bellwether on the health and welfare of the Main Street enterprises that employ half of all workers, generate more net new jobs than large corporations, and gave most of us the first start in our working life. The SBET (aka the Optimism Index) is a national snapshot of NFIB-member, small-business owners not broken down by state. More about the Uncertainty Index can be read here. The typical NFIB member employs between one and nine people and reports gross sales of about $500,000 a year.

New Emergency Alert System

21 October 2024
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To better warn citizens about emergency situations, Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services is implementing a new emergency system called Yellowstone County Informed (YCI).

Citizens are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency notifications via texts, emails, cell phones, etc. at https:// member. everbridge.net/   305943405396532/ new. The new notification system serves all residents of Yellowstone County in partnership with emergency service providers throughout the county and the City of Billings. Annemarie Overcast, Yellowstone County Department of Emergency Services Coordinator, explained that the county implemented the new system because they had to have such a platform to access Integrated Public Alert and Warning System called IPAWS, a system which issues alerts from the Department of Justice, such as Amber Alerts.

There are many options in selecting a platform, explained Overcast and the County chose Everbridge. Since Everbridge allows each jurisdiction to brand their own system, County officials chose the name Yellowstone County Informed or YCI.The system enables the city and county to issue public service announcements, as well as emergency warnings. Public entities can use it to inform the public about work schedules, road closures, community meetings, etc..

How well the system works depends largely upon citizen participation. You can’t be notified if officials do not have contact information. “It’s an opt in service.”

You may register several means of notification such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more —  as well as, request to be informed about more than one location. Overcast recommended providing more than one means of contact.

To create an account enter contact preferences at bit.ly/YCInform or text  YCINFORM to 888-777.

An app is also available from the Apple App Store or from the Google Play Store. Enter Billings or Yellowstone County into the search to sign up for local alerts.

New Business Licenses September 2024

21 October 2024
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Hanser’s Properties LP, 430 S Billings Blvd, (406) 248-7795, Hanser, Ralph & Sharon, Service, Billings

Bruski Consulting, 1611 Avenue E Apt 5, (406) 853-1416, Bruski, Marcell, Service Billings

Knautz Flooring Inc, 800 Sprint St, Galena, Il, 61036, (815) 777-3130, Knautz, Michael, Service

Whimsie, 1942 Lake Elmo Dr, (406) 696-8312, Vaden, Megan, Retail Sales, Billings

Elite Press, 131 Moore Ln Ste D, (406) 654-7836, Arnold, Tyler, Retail Sales

Brown Painting, 3040 Central Ave #I305, (406) 437-3436, Brown, Scot J, Service, Billings

The RV Marketplace, 4440 Audubon Way, (406) 671-7318, Ferguson, Pacer, Service, Billings

Bridger Renewables, 1585 N 25th Ave, Bozeman, Mt, 59718, (406) 640-1925, Caylor, Shannon, Service

Death Before Dishonor Tattoo, 320 N 30th St, (408) 606-0011, Adrian, Godoy , Service                                            2945 Upper Highwood Drive, Billings, Mt, 59102

Megan Stovall LLC, 8765 Longmeadow Dr, (406) 581-9713, Stovall, Megan, Service

Big Sky Power And Solar, 621 West Chinook St, Livingston, Mt, 59047, (406) 224-5300, Dean, Matt, Electrical Contractors 

Kayla’s Organizing Services, 2707 N Ramshorn Dr, Laurel, Mt, 59044, (406) 409-1973, Lawrence, Kayla, Service 

Custom Metal Works, 238 Fish Creek Rd, Whitehall, Mt, 59759,  (406) 596-1672, Johnson, William K, Service

Tiffany Edwards, Newborn & Childhood Photographer, 4507 Mitchell Ave, (406) 561-2221, Edwards, Tiffany, Service

Chinese Express, 111 S 24th St W #14, (406) 998-9907, Jing, Jing, Restaurants, Billings

Custom Edge Granite, 1812 66th St W, (602) 739-5196, Larsen, Ethan, General Contractors, Billings

Transformation Solutions, 3107 Henesta Dr, (406) 855-2510, Hutchins, Leslie, Service, Billings

Blue Creek Excavation LLC, 1235 Yellowstone River Rd, (406) 647-9678, Romero, Taylor J, Service, Billings

Flop2flip LLC, 1843 Wicks Ln, (406) 661-3524, Sterrett, Nathaniel, General Contractors, Billings

360 Cleaning LLC, 1843 Wicks Ln, (406) 671-2067, Handel, Krista, Service, Billings

Northwest Bail Bonds, 711 Central Ave Ste 110, (406) 927-3001, Graf, Joelm Service Billings

Billings Outdoor Ot, 7026 S Billings Blvd, (406) 534-9064, Dougherty, Andrea, Service, Billings

Justin & Taylor Williams, 6105 Elysian Rd Unit 102, (406) 927-3016, Williams, Justin & Taylor, Real Estate Rental Billings

Klean Sky Janitorial, 7134 Molt Rd, (406) 652-0051, Fauque, Lynn, Service Billings

Highplains Hardwood Flooring LLC, 215 Orchard Ln Apt 1, (406) 413-8780, Reynolds, Gerard, Billings

AJ Electric, 403 7th St SW, Park City, Mt, 59063, (406) 208-8186, Jeffery, Andrew, Electrical Contractors

Cynthia Sampson, 202 Yellowstone Ave, Laurel, Mt, 59044, (406) 696-1678, Sampson, Cindy, Service 

Raizetna/Maribel Parman, 1831 Lone Pine Dr, (406) 794-1215, Parman, Maribel, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Rowe Properties, 411 24th St W #103, (406) 670-3887, Rowe, Steve, Service, Billings

Billings Tactical Solutions, 1633 Janie St, (406) 850-7165, Hall, Jerome, Retail Sales

The Winner’s Circle, 2501 Grand Ave, (406) 671-3549, Robison, Steven, Beer License, Billings

Kawabummer Clothing Company, 1036 El Rancho Dr, (907) 252-2804, Laplante/Hills, Jacob/Danielle, Retail Sales, Billings

Yellowstone Underground Solutions Inc, 3527 Clint Rd, (253) 686-0220, Miller, Alexis, Service, Billings

Crochet By Emma, 5912 Foxtail Loop W, (406) 909-0084, Gonzalez-Walker, Emma, Retail Sales, Billings

K And L Concrete, 2401 Cascade Ave, (775) 901-3596, Presto, Landon, Service, Billings

Wu Lucky Massage LLC, 300 S 24th St W Ste E02b, (626) 615-3528, Wu, Qi, Massage Facility License, Billings

Integrity Construction & Handyman Services, 2808 Avalon Rd, (406) 850-3306, Owens, Mark, General Contractors, Billings

Ashton Owens Construction, 2808 Avalon Rd, (406) 671-0432, Owens, Ashton, General Contractors, Billings

Chic Celebrations LLC, 5014 Danford Dr Trlr 2, (406) 371-1927, Spadt, Kellie, Service, Billings

TDS Metrocom, LLC – Main, 904 Main St Ste 3, (608) 664-5869, Keesecker , Erin, Service, Billings

TDS Metrocom, Llc-14th St W, 1501 14th St W Ste 220, (608) 664-5869, Keesecker, Erin, Service, Billings

Glacier Express Car Wash, 90 24th St W, (425) 344-2713, Peterson, Lonnie, Service, Billings

North Elevation Stays, 1119 N 31st St, (713) 705-3963, Dowell, Lauren & Adam, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Fresh Perspective Cleaning LLC, 1717 Avenue C, (406) 839-7086, Edson, Tyler, Service, Billings

Crown Leasing LLC, 2424 1st Ave S, (406) 969-4700, Marks Shawn, Auto Business, Billings

24th Street Station Casino, 805 24th St W, (406) 850-3160, Grizzly-24th Street Station Beverages LLC, Beer License, Billings

Lucky 7’s Casino Of Billings, 416 Lake Elmo Dr, (406) 850-3160, Grizzly-Lucky 7’s Beverages LLC, Beer License, Billings

Real Estate By Brenda, 225 Avenue E, (406) 200-3198, Mills, Brenda, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Shelving Concepts Inc, 944 Fisher St, Houston, TX, 77018, (713) 957-1111, Amoruso, Thomas, Service,

Vertical Contracting LLC, 7500 Plum Creek Dr, Houston, TX, 77012, (402) 208-0158, Cardenas, David Salto, General Contractors,

Hopkins Siding And Soffit, 3039 Ocotillo Rd, (406) 696-4529, Hopkins, James, General Contractors, Billings

Too Filthy Mobile Wash, 208 Alderson Ave, (406) 690-3868, Balsam, Wade, Service, Billings

CNC Timberworks, 2147 Phoebe Dr, (406) 839-1733, Smith, Craig, Retail Sales

Tooth Be Told Dental Assisting And Services, 2147 Phoebe Dr, (406) 839-6907, Smith, Kari, Service, Billings

Business, Home And Personal Aide, 1843 Wicks Ln, (406) 671-9817, Handel, Kari , Service, Billings

Frontier Cleaning Solutions LLC, 1587 Norwood Ln, (406) 600-9642, Kleinhans, Logan, Service, Billings

Wynn’s Air BNB, 908 Miles Ave, (406) 860-2546, Schipman, Wynn C, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Revive Appliance Repair, 3969 Kings Green Dr, (406) 670-9276, Bender, Julie, Service, Billings

Faithful Asset Management LLC, 1925 Grand Ave Ste 135, (406) 855-6190, Moler, Nathan/Brandi, General Contractors, Billings

Xtream Window Cleaning, 2820 Zimmerman Trl, (406) 927-7406, Rice, Alexander, Service, Billings

Righteous Routes Logistics LLC, 6767 Tun Tavern Rd, (206) 459-4611, Tiedeman, Erin Kathleen, Service, Billings

Pronghorn Plumbing LLC, 841 Caroline St, (406) 671-1592, Jimmerson, Adam, Plumbing Contractors, Billings

Gabriel Metcalf, 430 Broadwater Ave, (406) 698-4481, Metcalf, Gabriel, Service, Billings

Ryan’s Consulting, 5176 Bridle Creek Trl, (406) 860-9540, Wendt, Ryan, Service, Billings

Marlee and Tyler Films, 2041 Greenbriar Rd, (406) 876-1790, Luderitz, Tyler, Service, Billings

My Cat Stuff, 3137 Stillwater Dr, (406) 672-2434, Yancey, Nikki, Retail Sales, Billings

Karri Smith Massage Therapy LLC, 402 Beverly Hill Blvd, (406) 238-0001, Smith, Karri, Solo Practitioner, Billings

High Noon Vapor LLC, 1108 Broadwater Ave, (406) 998-8248, Michaelis, Daniel, Retail Sales, Billings

Saloncentric, 2440 Grant Rd, (406) 652-7216, Smith, Maritza, Wholesale, Billings

DLH Construction, 1444 Avenue C, (406) 696-9891, Hissom, Dawson, General Contractors, Billings

BCB Construction LLC, 34 Peters St, (406) 794-9759, Maslowski, Joseph, General Contractors, Billings

Celebrating Children, 805 Alderson Ave, (406) 281-4272, Churchill, Alana, Service, Billings

Brothers Investing, 4415 March Madness Way Unit 4, (406) 998-3596, Child, Warren, Service, Billings

Die Sin, 2550 Wyoming Ave, (505) 569-4690, Barrell, Jay Tyler, Printers And Publishers, Billings

Quietude Massage Therapy, 2215 Broadwater Ave, (406) 651-9000, Brownson, Joslyn, Solo Practitioner, Billings

Carbon Recall Kalispell, 303 Airport Way Ste 1, Kalispell, Mt, 59901, (406) 885-5889, Robinson, Bethany, Service, Kalispell, Mt, 59901,

Rutrow Corp DBA As HHO Of Wyoming, 325 Robert St, Cody, WY, 82414, (307) 578-8488, Grenz, Bart & Stacey, Service 

Most Americans Agree About the Green Issue

21 October 2024
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A newly released study reveals that most people in the US, no matter their political leanings, are more in concert with each other about the future of energy and not nearly as divided as the media and politics  of it all would have the world believe.

It’s a “bedrock of public opinion” that “any transition, on any timetable, will have to deal with,” according to its authors, Roger Pielke Jr. and RUY Teixeira, of the American Enterprise Institute. Findings from a new YouGov survey indicate that most voters’ views differ quite a bit from those of rapid energy transition advocates.

The gist of the survey reveals that:

1. An “all of the above” approach to energy policy has by far the most voter support and shows remarkable stability and common support across voter groups. American voters across demographics and partisanship strongly prefer an “all of the above” approach to energy policy including oil, gas, renewables, and nuclear. Less than a quarter support a rapid transition to renewables, which drops to under a fifth for working-class (non-college) voters.

2. On extreme weather events, most voters have not accepted the apocalyptic reporting found in the media and pushed by climate activists.

3. American voters are reluctant to pay even a small amount to support climate action and this willingness drops quickly as the proposed small costs increase. When asked if they would support just a $1 monthly fee on their electricity bill to fight climate change, only 47 percent say they would while 43 percent are opposed. When the proposed fee is increased to $20, voter support plummets to 26 percent with 60 percent opposed.

4. Voters expect an energy transition away from fossil fuels to lead to unexpected problems. About two-thirds think problems are likely. A follow-up question indicates that voters are most worried about the impact on the prices of energy and everyday goods and about the impact on the reliability of the electrical grid.

5. Overall, the public is much more favorable on both solar and natural gas than on wind, suggesting that the concept of “renewables” masks some important differences.

 Solar energy tests the best among five energy sources that voters were asked to rank. Thirty-eight percent of voters ranked solar first. Natural gas did the second best, picked first by 26 percent of voters. Nuclear energy came third (15 percent ranked it first) followed by wind (10 percent) and coal (6 percent). Coal is clearly the least preferred energy source with 38 percent ranking it dead last among options. Wind and nuclear also have strong opposition with, respectively, 19 percent and 29 percent ranking the technology their least favorite option.

6. In terms of the energy they consume, cost and reliability are way, way more important to voters than possible effects on the climate.

Given four choices, 37 percent of voters said the cost of the energy they use was most important to them and 36 percent said the availability of power when they need it was most important. Just 19 percent thought the effect on climate of their energy consumption was most important and 6 percent selected the effect on U.S. energy security.

7. In terms of proposals to mitigate the effects of climate change, getting to “net zero” as quickly as possible is relatively unimportant to voters. Only 29 percent, fewer it was important, while 32 percent said that “limiting the burden of regulations on business” was very important. Voters were most likely by far to say keeping consumer costs low (66 percent) and increasing jobs and economic growth (60 percent) were very important aspects of climate mitigation proposals.

8. Climate change as an issue has very low salience to voters. As a “top priority,” dealing with global climate change ranked 15th out of 18 issues.

9. Voters support increased domestic production of fossil fuels. By 22 points (56-34), voters favor more domestic production of fossil fuels—oil and gas. Working-class voters felt even more strongly, endorsing the idea by 30 points.

10. Voter interest in electric heat pumps, hot water heaters and stoves, as well as electric vehicles, is weak. Asked whether they had given serious thought to making certain “green” changes in their home within the past 12 months, 75 percent of voters said they either had not given serious thought or that it was not relevant to them.

Voters by 17 points (52-35) say they are opposed to phasing out new gasoline cars and trucks by 2035 and many more voters are upset (48 percent) than excited (21 percent) by the idea of phasing out production of gas-powered cars and trucks. By 18 points (59-41), voters say they are not likely to even consider purchasing an electric vehicle as their next car. Just 10 percent say they now own an electric vehicle and two-thirds of those are hybrid rather than fully electric.