Summary of #16 - Ronald Stein on the huge advantages of fossil fuels over wind/solar power

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

Ronald Stein, an expert in energy and fossil fuels, advocates for the continued use of fossil fuels over renewable energy sources. Stein argues that crude oil derivatives are used in nearly every product in our daily lives and that trying to replace fossil fuels entirely would be more dangerous than the additional warming caused by burning them. He highlights the challenges associated with reliance on electric vehicles, such as lithium supply chain issues, heavier weight, and safety concerns, and argues that the push towards achieving zero emissions at all costs is being driven by a few wealthy countries and their elites. Stein emphasizes the need for conversations about energy, as most people are intimidated to ask intelligent questions about it.

00:00:00 In this section, Ronald Stein emphasizes the importance of understanding the definition of energy and how renewable energy sources like wind and solar are incapable of manufacturing anything useful for society. He mentions that until an alternative to crude oil is found, we cannot replace the derivatives that make up the 6,000 products in our daily lives. Stein also shares that wealthy countries like Germany, Australia, and America, which represent only 6% of the world's population, have the highest costs for electricity due to their transition to electrical generation from wind and solar. Meanwhile, developing countries without access to fossil fuel products experience around 11 million child deaths per year. Although climate change is projected to affect many people, Stein believes that efforts to cease the use of crude oil could potentially cause billions of fatalities from diseases, malnutrition, and weather-related deaths.
00:05:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the advantages of fossil fuels over renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. He posits that the abundance of crude oil has led to prosperity for the world's wealthy countries and that trying to cut off fossil fuels would be more dangerous to humanity than the additional warming caused by burning them. Additionally, Stein notes that renewable energy sources rely on oil derivatives to be manufactured and therefore cannot replace fossil fuels entirely. The shutdown of the fossil fuel industry would also eliminate the medical, electronic, and transportation industries, as well as the military. Stein argues that wind and solar power is a redundant electrical generating system that lacks continuous, uninterruptible power and cannot provide stability. Finally, the ESG movement, which includes divesting in fossil fuels, will render the 700 refineries built useless without crude oil to manufacture into products.
00:10:00 In this section, Ronald Stein emphasizes the potential economic and environmental downfall that would happen if 20 of California's 140 refineries shut down within the next five years. He discusses how less supply is meeting rising demand, leading to possible shortages and perpetual inflation for the products people want. With fewer refineries making more EVs, items such as EVs would become more expensive to produce with shortages of materials like lithium, leaving them less desirable or out of reach. Ultimately, as refineries continue to shut down, the broader issue of supply chain disruption is a bigger problem for the economy and society.
00:15:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses some of the challenges associated with reliance on electric vehicles. He mentions the recent fire that burned for days on the cargo ship carrying expensive cars that may have been caused by an EV battery fire, leading insurance companies to be cautious about insuring cargo ships. Furthermore, he raises concerns about where the electricity to charge EVs would come from, especially if power plants such as Diablo Canyon nuclear plant are shut down, meaning that half of California, which consists of minority groups, may not be able to charge their EVs as they don’t have new garages with reliable charging infrastructure. Stein also raises concerns over the exploitation of people in developing countries mining for precious minerals for EV batteries, and how the costs of rebuilding the grid will fall on EV owners. He concludes by saying Californians have no interest in embracing the idea of getting rid of internal combustion cars as it simply won’t happen.
00:20:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the drawbacks of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to hybrid cars and internal combustion engines. He highlights the heavier weight of EVs, which puts more stress on roads and causes more tire pollution. Stein also mentions the danger of EV fires, which cannot be extinguished easily and have caused significant damage to buildings. He notes the recall of all EVs by General Motors due to fire concerns and the safety recommendations given to owners. Stein also mentions the issue of lithium supply in Afghanistan.
00:25:00 In this section, Ronald Stein, an expert in energy and fossil fuels, talks about the issue of lithium mining and its impact on the environment and people's health. Stein says that China controls most of the lithium supply in the world, which is a national security issue for the US. He adds that strip mining for lithium, which is required for the production of EV batteries, is the dirtiest operation around, and the lithium mining in America is unlikely to happen. Stein warns that if the Biden-signed climate reduction and inflation reduction act's clauses are implemented, which require lithium to be mined in America, people who take advantage of EV subsidies will be affected, and it will be a hard end for the auto industry. Stein believes that the subsidies, which he sees as encouraging environmental degradation in developing countries, will be challenged by politicians. He thinks that it's an ethical issue to offer subsidies. Stein points out that the people who suffer the most from high electricity rates and shortages are usually low-income individuals and the people taking it in the shorts. Stein feels that these people will reach a boiling point one day and will not take the government's inaction and blind support of renewable energy anymore.
00:30:00 In this section, Ronald Stein emphasizes the need for conversations about energy rather than just speeches since most people are intimidated to ask intelligent questions about it. He provides over 50 questions to help people stand up and ask intelligent questions about energy. Stein has faith in humanity's ingenuity, and he believes that we have developed the ability to survive any weather condition. He cites the example of the grand canyon, which was developed from melting glaciers during warming cycles when nobody lived here, and points out that wealthy countries that represent only six percent of the world won't affect anything.
00:35:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses how the green agenda could be halted if energy shortages continue causing people to be unable to heat their homes due to reliance on renewable energy. He highlights Europe's struggle due to the Russian-Ukraine war and being dependent on Russia for oil and natural gas. Stein also talks about some countries depending on wind and solar power for their survival, but failing to provide enough energy in times of need. In addition, he mentions the challenges of disposing old wind turbines which have toxic waste. Stein also mentions the failure of ESG and states enacting laws against it. He emphasizes that fossil fuels are useful and help power modern living.
00:40:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the extensive infrastructure required to keep the world's population of eight billion alive. With 50,000 jets and 50,000 merchant ships in the world moving products by air and ocean globally, the world would be thrown back to sailboats if fossil fuels were removed. California is becoming more dependent on imported energy as the state keeps cutting back in-state production. Governor Newsom is trying to ban gasoline cars to purify his bubble, but he doesn't care about the emissions produced from other countries.
00:45:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the potential consequences of shutting down Chevron and PBF refineries in Northern California due to community pressure, which could lead to the region importing aviation fuel from China, potentially contributing to increased air pollution in China. He also discusses how advances in technology have improved the efficiency of refineries and the cleanliness of cars. Stein argues that maintaining the quality of air while increasing efficiency and conservation is crucial and expresses concern that shutting down oil production in California could cause the state to rely even more on foreign countries for oil and increase costs. However, despite potential economic and environmental risks, Governor Newsom is attempting to shut down all oil production in California.
00:50:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses why he thinks the drive to shut down fossil fuels is driven more by stupidity than an evil intent. He believes that a lack of understanding, starting with the definition of energy, contributes to this push. Stein argues that renewable energy sources can only produce electricity, and it is impossible to do anything with electricity without fossil fuels. He goes on to explain that getting rid of crude oil would mean eliminating wind turbines, solar panels, and other products made with oil derivatives, and that there is no simple, satisfactory solution to replace crude oil. Stein also argues that nations could benefit from crude oil's products and reduce child fatalities by joining the industrial revolution. Finally, he says that he would be open to debate people like Andrew Destler or AOC, as their understanding of energy must change.
00:55:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the challenges facing the electric vehicle (EV) market. These range from major supply chain issues with lithium and body parts to affordability and safety concerns, and ethical challenges surrounding the exploitation of labor in poor countries. Stein argues that the push towards achieving zero emissions at all costs is being driven by a few wealthy countries and their elites, and that EVs are currently unaffordable to the vast majority of people. He points out that there is a market segregation concerning their ownership, with EVs primarily being owned and marketed to the wealthy in affluent areas. Stein contends that the government mandate to reduce emissions will only succeed in eliminating gasoline cars, given that affordability is still a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of EVs.

01:00:00 - 01:10:00

Ronald Stein explains that he is not a big promoter of electric vehicles (EVs) and does not believe that the auto industry can survive with them, as most people buy cars out of necessity and affordability. He argues that the average age of a car in the US is 12 years and the battery of an EV will not last that long, making them economically unviable due to technological changes and rapid degradation of the battery. Stein also raises concerns about the recycling of EV batteries and the cost of a replacement battery, which can be prohibitive at $28,000. He goes on to discuss China's use of coal power over renewable energy and expresses his desire to have a debate with the other side regarding the global shift towards renewable energy.

01:00:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses his thoughts on electric vehicles (EVs) and their future. He mentions that he is not a big promoter of EVs and does not think the auto industry will survive with them. He points out that most people buy a car out of necessity and buy what they can afford. Stein notes that the average age of a car in the US is 12 years and the battery of an EV will not last that long. Moreover, there is no resale market for EVs due to the rapid degradation of their battery and technology changes, making them not economically viable in the auto industry. Stein also raises the issue of recycling batteries, as there currently is not an economic way to do so. Additionally, the cost of a replacement battery for an EV can be prohibitive, with one normal EV battery costing $28,000.
01:05:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses the issue of California's law that prohibit gasoline cars from being sold in the state. He states that people can still buy gasoline cars in other states and register them in California, which is a way around the law. Stein also notes that banning gasoline blowers does not affect his gardener, as he plans to buy new equipment before the ban takes effect. Stein ultimately concludes that billions of people make $10 an hour or less and can hardly subsidize themselves, which is why they will continue to turn to coal to generate cheap and abundant electricity, since renewable energy is more expensive. He further discusses how the clean bubbles of wealthy countries are merely a delusion, as they will not make a significant impact on reducing emissions because of developing countries like China, India, and Africa, which lack environmental regulations and rely heavily on coal to produce electricity.
01:10:00 In this section, Ronald Stein discusses China's use of coal power over renewable energy, stating they are building the equivalent of one coal-fired power plant a day. Although they don't have fracking assets, they are actively maintaining control over lithium supplies. Stein notes the intelligence of the Chinese and how they implement their wind turbines and solar panels primarily for show and continue to build coal-fired power plants. They discuss the challenges of commercializing power, such as battery weight limitations for electric airplanes, which need more energy to get them off the ground. Stein expresses his desire to have a debate with the other side regarding the global shift towards renewable energy.