I don’t know what to make of it. Christmas is just around the corner…
Hey,
Mrs. Santa the Redhead just rolled out of the 5-Ball Headquarters heading to downtown Sturgis Bandit’s 5-Ball Emporium. She complained all the way out the door. She’s later to a very important date. It’s Scrouge night in Sturgis and Scrouge is in the basement.
Every day is stimulating and we may have a quandary. We may have to opportunities to raffle off a new Harley for the first inaugural raffle effort or a special custom chopper built for Hugh King, the director of the Discovery Channel, Biker Build-off series. The bike is owned by the yours truly. The build-off series was inspired by yours truly.
The bike was built by all the greats at the time, Arlen Ness, Cory Ness, Eddie Trotta, Billy Lane.
So, what do you think? Should we raffle off a new bike with a custom paint job to embrace Danial James art, or should we raffle off a very cool and rideable piece of Chopper History? Let me know your thoughts.
The News was provided by the Bikernet Team including: Wayfarer, the Redhead, Bob T. Sam Burns, Laura, Barry Green, El Waggs, J.J. Solari, Amy White, Jenn and the rest of the crew.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
THE SEARCH IS ON–A brother, Don Whalen, is putting together an amazing collection of motorcycle for the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. He’s curious about a couple of motorcycles in the Richard Bunch Collection. Once in a while a motorcycle surfaces under a unique name. Maybe the company came and went in a year. In some case less than a half dozen models were manufactured.
So, in this case we are wondering if there are any more 1898 Cleveland Tricycles left around? Drop me a note, if you know anything to: Bandit@Bikernet.com.
From time to time, we might throw another motorcycle out there for you to investigate.
BALDERSON TO CHAIR HOUSE COALITION–alderson to Chair House Coalition Charged with Promoting U.S. Energy Dominance Comeback—
America is at an inflection point. We will either pursue energy dominance and restore U.S. leadership on the world stage, or we will continue to undermine our own energy security and empower our adversaries. It’s that simple.
I am honored to be selected as Chairman of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), which will work alongside the incoming Trump Administration to deliver energy solutions that lower prices for American families, bolster our nation’s energy security, and invest in our energy workforce.
Do you support reducing U.S. reliance on bad actors, like China and Russia, to meet our energy needs?
Yes!
No.
HEAT is a coalition of House Republicans tasked with championing and promoting commonsense, America First energy policy priorities. These include initiatives to unleash affordable, reliable American energy, strengthen U.S. national security, and bring down costs.
Ohioans have seen firsthand how innovation in American energy creates good-paying jobs and drives investment in our rural communities.
I will always be a champion for restoring American energy dominance and making daily life more affordable for families. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your loved ones, please don’t hesitate to call my office at (614) 523-2555 or send me a note.
Troy Balderson
Member of Congress
Guernsey Power Station
DEALER NEWS: DULUTH DEALERSHIP HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORT CENTER CLOSES AFTER 73 YEARS
For more than 73 years, the Kachelmyer family and the dedicated staff of Harley-Davidson Sport Center have been blessed to provide the Twin Ports communities with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, service, parts and apparel. Our passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the people and experience has led us to share a lifetime of immeasurable joy and excitement, doing what we love doing every day!
HOME FOR WOMEN RIDERS–Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Begins at Harley-Davidson HQ at Daytona International Speedway, ends at Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson and is followed by Renegade Babes All Women’s Ride-In Bike Show
Join your friends, dignitary Karen Davidson and other special guests on a ride through the beautiful Daytona backroads to support Biker Belles charities.
Reserve Now to Receive:
· Space on The Morning Ride
· Souvenir Memorabilia
NEWS FROM THE STURGIS MUSEUM EXPANDED—
Heidi mentioned calls to action. We could use some guidance on available grants, so if you know someone with the ins and outs of Grant writing for the museum let us know.
We had a terrific board meeting last week. We discussed moving the Easyriders Streamliner. I’m having some logistic issues, but may have a solution through a Hamster in Florida.
As I mentioned in the intro, we are working on several avenues with the raffle. It’s going to be exciting learning experience.
We still have until the 31st of December to nominate folks for the Sturgis Hall of Fame. If you know or a deserving brother or sister, make sure they get nominated. It’s easy, go to the website and take care of business.
The Expansion element is still in the works and is connected to the Educational aspects of the Museum. We need the facilities to work with kids and perhaps take a group to Bonneville and set a record. Again, we need folks to step up and get involved.
Kirk Willard, the president of the MRF, stopped by to attend the Board Meeting. He introduced me to Hill City Cycles run by Scooter. I need to get out there. Scooter is building a couple of Knuckleheads for Kirk.
HUMAN EMISSIONS ARE RESTORING VITAL —Atmospheric CO2
Recent studies have been published that allege that the 50% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (later 1700s) are attributable mostly or entirely to nature. In other words they are adding huge amounts of a gas to the atmosphere won’t increase the concentration of that gas in the atmosphere.
In our latest research publication, our team of researchers used seven separate lines of evidence to confirm that the increase from 280 parts-per-million (ppm) to our current level of 420 ppm are primarily from human emissions of this beneficial molecule.
One compelling and easily understood line of evidence is the Mass Balance. We know fairly accurately how much CO2 is emitted every year by our activities and know very accurately the concentration in the atmosphere. Using this, our team found that only about half of our emissions are showing up in the atmosphere. That means that nature is sequestering the other 50%, primarily by increased photosynthesis (“Greening”) and most of the rest by the oceans.
In other words, nature is a net “sink” not a source for CO2.
A second convincing argument can be made by reviewing the CO2 levels as measured using ice cores from Antarctica.
We find that concentration of the gas increased substantially during each of the previous warm interglacials, but rarely got much more than 300 ppm. Our current levels are about 50% higher than any others measured over the last 800,000 years and more.
Something is different now. That “something” is humans liberating the CO2 that had been locked up during the creation of coal along with oil and gas source rocks.
Enjoy driving your internal combustion vehicle, knowing that your emissions are helping to drive increases in crop production and the greening of the Earth.
Download the pdf here: The Human Contribution to Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: How Human Emissions Are Restoring Vital Atmospheric CO2.
If you would like to help fund our important outreach efforts,
please thoughtfully consider donating either by check or online.
CO2 Coalition
2677 Prosperity Ave, Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
SANTA VISITS MORRIS MAGNETO–Enjoy 10% Off with code XMAS
Valid until December 25
Holidays
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a joyful holiday season. We hope you have a fabulous holiday surrounded by family and friends, and we wish you all the best for the new year!
We are pleased to offer you 10% discount off on our website as token of appreciation for your support 2024. Please enter the code XMAS at checkout before proceeding with your payment information.
NEWS FROM JANUS MANUFACTURING– Any of the used bikes listed =
$6995 + Free Shipping
It’s time for us to get ready for the new year, and we need more space on the floor! You get to benefit from that. Grab one of these beautiful bikes for a great price.
TRIUMPH IN PENNSYLVANIA OVER UNFAIR EXHAUST NOISE BILL–And we don’t mean Triumph Motorcycles
Earlier this year, SEMA expressed concern and SAN members pushed back against a bill that would have outlawed installing, modifying, and selling muffler and exhaust systems that increase a vehicle’s noise.
Voter’s rights to personalize the sound of their ride were in danger, but SAN members came to the rescue.
Why it matters: Following opposition by residents, this legislation stalled and was tabled when the legislature adjourned for the year, knowing we were ready to activate. While SEMA educated lawmakers and voters throughout the state to defeat it this year, this isn’t dead, as anti-auto lawmakers may try introducing it again in 2025.
Will CARS Rule Limit Modifications?
Intended to improve vehicle buying and leasing, the Federal Trade Commission proposes the Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule (CARS Rule).
Why it matters: Allies in Congress—U.S. Representatives Bill Posey and Sanford Bishop—want the agency’s clarity to ensure the proposal doesn’t unfairly target our market.
–SEMA
BANDIT’S 5-BALL EMPORIUM UPDATE—Legendary finally installed the front lights. I made the mounting box and installed the electrical box in the back. Here’s how they installed it.
I wanted it just above the sign and made the box curve to fit into the arch. Oops, but it will be sorted out on Monday.
We scored the ultimate Skull bling belt buckle, wild ceramic Chinese rice paddy girl and a new brass dragon to brighten your day.
Incredible, we came across some truly vintage t-shirts.
We just heard about a ’48 Panhead that went for $75,000. It was original to the bone with 2,000 original miles. Amazing. Wait, we have a classic Chopper, ’48 UL and a restored ’51 Panhead in the store for less.
OPIOID CONSULTING SETTLEMENT AT LAST–
Consulting firm McKinsey & Company has agreed to pay $650M to settle a federal investigation into its role in boosting opioid sales for now-bankrupt Purdue Pharma. OxyContin, a powerful prescription painkiller, is widely blamed for fueling the opioid epidemic that resulted in nearly 500,000 US deaths between 1999 and 2019.
According to court documents, McKinsey continued to advise Purdue Pharma and other drug manufacturers on increasing OxyContin sales despite knowing the risks associated with opioids (watch overview here). The firm’s strategies included identifying high-prescribing doctors and developing marketing tactics to “turbocharge” sales. McKinsey, which cut ties with opioid manufacturers in 2019, issued an apology Friday for its role. The firm has paid nearly $1B to settle civil lawsuits related to the epidemic in all 50 states. Visualize the opioid crisis here.
Under the settlement, McKinsey must fulfill a government-mandated compliance program supervised by the Department of Health and Human Services for prosecution to be deferred and terminated. A former senior partner also agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice for destroying records related to the case.
–1440 Daily Digest
Motorcycle TransAm News– Happy holidays! Can you believe it? The year of the race—2025—is almost here! We’re gearing up for an unforgettable journey, and we’re thrilled to share some exciting updates with you.
New Stop Announcement: Durango, CO!
In case you missed it, our newest stop has been announced—beautiful Durango, Colorado! Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, Durango is known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and warm hospitality. We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Motorcycle TransAm to this incredible destination.
Shop Now Live!
We’re also excited to announce that our webstore is officially up and running! While we only have a few items available now, more will be added in the coming months. Visit motorcycletransam.com/shop to check it out and grab some gear in time for the holidays!
Join the Adventure
If you’ve been on the fence about joining this once-in-a-lifetime experience, there’s no better time to sign up. This 4,000-mile endurance run is not just a race—it’s a journey through history, breathtaking landscapes, and the camaraderie of passionate riders like you.
We can’t wait to hit the road and share this incredible adventure with you all. Here’s to an amazing holiday season and an even more thrilling 2025!
BIKE SHOP OF THE WEEK— Bela Borden is the owner of Classic Cycles in Oberwil, Switzerland.
–Sam Burns
Bike Shop Curator
Bikernet.com™
Celebrate women— in motorcycling and connect with those who are shaping the industry!
Special guests and other exciting announcements coming soon!
Join us and Harley-Davidson during Sturgis to experience the freedom of the open road next to your heroes, mentors and friends old and new.
BIKER BELLES WOMEN’S DAY
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2025
The 17th annual guided Morning Ride – Sturgis will lead you from the Lodge at Deadwood through the beautiful Black Hills to a day of festivities at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip that celebrates women in riding and supports organizations benefiting women’s causes.
At the Sturgis Buffalo Chip
NEW FROM AMERICAN FLAT TRACK RACING–James Ott Joins G&G Racing for 2025 Progressive American Flat Track Season
December 17, 2024
Photo: Hangar 53 Studios
Posted on behalf of G&G Racing
Southern California (December 17, 2024) – James Ott joins the G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing team for the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season. Stepping up to the Mission AFT SuperTwins class after coming off a career best AFT Singles presented by KICKER class season, James is looking to build on that momentum in the new class and is up for the challenge. Also, Yamaha Racing and G&G Racing will enter their 10th season in partnership together for the 2025 Progressive AFT season.
G&G Racing would like to thank our sponsors who help make this happen: Yamaha Racing, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Yamalube, JMR, Twisted Development, Graves Sports, AIM, Fontana Radiators, Metalartopia, Motion Pro, and Rosa Plates.
James Ott – G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing
“Going into the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, I couldn’t be happier to be riding for G&G Racing in the Mission AFT SuperTwins class. John and LJ have been great friends and supporters of mine for many years now and I feel we work very well together. With so much changing this year in the class I think it’s a great time to move up and start developing myself as a Twins rider. I’m also excited to be on the Yamaha MT-07 platform as it’s proven to be capable of running up front in the class and I see no reason why as a team we couldn’t do the same.”
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager
“Yamaha Racing is looking forward to the 10th year of our partnership with G&G Racing. With the addition of James Ott to the team, 2025 should be an exciting year.”
L.J. Gronek – Team Owner
“We are excited for James Ott to step up to the Mission AFT SuperTwins class for 2025. We have known James for many years and supported him as he moved up the ranks from amateur to professional AFT Singles presented by KICKER rider. Now, we are stoked to see him achieve his dream of being a Mission AFT SuperTwins rider. James has demonstrated a work ethic and desire to be a top level rider. Also, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yamaha Racing for the 10th year. We could not have accomplished all we have, without their help. The Yamaha MT-07 is a very capable platform, with great power and delivery.”
About Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the Powersports industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, and much more.
YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. YMUS has a corporate office in Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).
About G&G Racing
G&G Racing is a 2X AFT Production Twins Championship team. A father and son who have built their own Yamaha MT-07’s for the AFT SuperTwins and sponsor riders, amateur to pro, in flat track. All work is done in house from their garage.
L.J. Gronek
lj@gandgracing.com
THE LAW TIGERS REPORT–What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get Into Accidents?
Motorcycles have always had a reputation as fast and fun but dangerous. It is true as well — motorcycle accidents make up a significant portion of traffic fatalities despite making up a very small percentage of road traffic. But what percentage of motorcycle riders get in accidents, and how likely are you to get into a crash?
Estimates differ, but a commonly cited figure is that 72 out of every 100,000 motorcycle riders will get into a crash every year, which is an accident rate of about 0.07%. This number varies based on the state and demographics.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Information about motorcycle crashes, in general, is difficult to come by as many don’t get reported. However, we have a lot of data about motorcycle fatality rates and how many people die in motorcycle accidents.
Since they lack the protection of an enclosed cab, motorcycle accidents are also more deadly than other types of auto accidents. According to the NHTSA, motorcycles make up about 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, and the fatality rate for motorcycle accidents is nearly 25 times higher than the rate for passenger cars.
Additionally, motorcycle accidents are more likely to involve alcohol or drugs. Nearly 30 percent of motorcycle crash fatalities involve alcohol, and motorcycle riders are nearly three times more likely to die in a drunk driving crash at night than in the morning. Perhaps unsurprisingly, men make up the vast majority (~92%) of motorcycle fatalities. Based on an analysis from IIHS, the total number of motorcycle fatalities has nearly tripled over the past 25 years.
How to Stay Safe on Your Motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle can be extremely rewarding, but the statistics also show that it is very dangerous. Below are some safety tips from the attorneys at Law Tigers to help protect yourself while on the road.
Wear a helmet. Even if your state doesn’t have helmet laws, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of fatal injury and can protect your compensation recovery efforts.
Know the rules. Different states have different motorcycle laws. For example, lane filtering is legal in some states and illegal in others.
Wear appropriate equipment. Avoid wearing dark colors when riding and try to have some kind of reflective clothing to increase visibility.
Be aware of the weather. You should ride your bike slower and more deliberately if it’s wet or snowing outside.
The Law Tigers benefit kit can also help you protect yourself and your assets after a motorcycle accident. It contains a free legal explainer and gives you access to a 24/7 legal advice hotline. It also comes with a $10,000 motorcycle hit-and-run and theft reward.
PANHEAD JOHN’S TEQUILA RULES–Rules of Drinking Tequila:
1. Drink only 100% Agave Tequila
2. Stay clear of other drinks
3. Drink lots of water
4. Don’t overdue it – pace yourself
5. Have a light meal before starting
6. Have a snack when done
7. If you don’t follow 1-6, take ibuprofen
A Martinisko Favorite
1. Fill glass with ice
2. Go to the 2/3 line with Tequila
3. Top off with Grapefruit juice
4. Stir
5. Add a splash of pomegranate liquor
A Blender of Sneaky Margaritas:
1. 8 shots of 100% Agave tequila
2. 4 shots of Citronge orange liquor
3. Juice and pulp of one or two limes
4. 2 or 3 tablespoons of frozen lime aid
5. Water down a bit if needed
6. 1 or 2 cups of ice
7. Blend until smooth
8. Serve on the rocks
South Dakotans must take another stand against effort to force dangerous CO2 pipelines through state
South Dakota citizens and especially landowners: We need your help. Summit Carbon Solutions has filed a new docket with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.
The name has been changed to the Midwest Carbon Express Pipeline. This company has not previously built or has no management experience in hazardous CO2 pipelines. South Dakota will be the guinea pig for their experiment.
It will be very important for you to file your comments with the Public Utilities Commission, or present them at the PUC public meetings Jan. 15-17. It will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Mitchell High School and at 5 p.m. in the Hub Auditorium at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls; at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the De Smet Event Center and at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Ramkota Hotel Event Center; and at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan 17, at the Dakota Events Center in Aberdeen and at 6 p.m. at the Redfield School Auditorium. You can also mail comments to PUC, 500 East Capitol, Pierre SD 57501.
This is not all about CO2 pipelines going into the ground. If this project goes through, they will be applying to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for permits to take millions of gallons of water from the artesian aquifer to cool their pumps along the route.
Spink, Brown and McPherson county commissioners have done an outstanding job of protecting their citizens by passing ordinances that route this hazardous pipeline away from homes, cities, feedlots, hospitals, schools, etc. These counties have not been swayed by the taxes this pipeline could possibly generate and further commissioner enticement of grant money to be used for anything.
This would be quid pro quo to ascertain an affirmative support. SCS claims that the taxes will benefit county residents. Does this outweigh the dangers that would be present? Greed for 45Q federal tax dollars is what is driving the need for this and similar pipelines.
South Dakota voters defeated the proposed SB-201 Referred Law 21, the so-called the “Landowner Bill of Rights.”
CO2 is an asphyxiant (killing any people or animals). Anyone entering the cloud of invisible gas would need to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. At first when it breaks it would appear as fog. As the moister evaporates it would then be invisible. CO2 is odorless, colorless and heavier than air.
https://www.osha.gov/publications/hib19960605
Any landowner willing to sign one of these easements needs to be sure to have this pipeline at least 6 feet in the ground and at least 2,500 feet from residential buildings. Once you sign, you have given up all your rights to the land you own.
I suggest you do your research and get informed first. Ask yourself, how will this affect my family, business and livestock? Is the money worth the trouble? Be sure to contact a lawyer before you give up your property rights to your land.
This CO2 is coming from the fermentation of corn in the Glacial Lakes ethanol plant (probably similar to such a plant in Burlington, Iowa, seen above in a public domain photo posted on wikimedia commons). At present it is being injected into the steam that is part of the cook-off process making ethanol.
California Receives 2023 Waiver–Wednesday morning, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California a requested waiver to implement new emissions standards on some vehicles. With this decision, California has the authority to activate its plan and phase out the sale of gas-powered cars and light-duty trucks in the state by 2035.
This waiver had been awaiting approval since May 2023 but was signed off on just a month before President Biden leaves office. A Trump spokesperson said earlier this week that the president-elect has “a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, including stopping attacks on gas-powered cars.”
The incoming Trump Administration will have the power to revoke this new waiver. However, the process of doing so can be lengthy and ultimately could be overturned in future years by a different presidential administration.
Thankfully for motorcyclists, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew a similar plan that would require half of new motorcycles sold in the state to be electric in the next ten years. That motorcycle proposal would also have required a waiver. However, because of the timing of the California motorcycle plan, any waiver would have been considered by a Trump lead EPA.
A former CARB board member said of the decision to withdraw the motorcycle rules, “With the EPA waiver virtually guaranteed to be denied, pushing forward would have risked wasting political capital and alienating key stakeholders.”
The changing political landscape in Washington, D.C., is impacting a variety of issues that we as bikers care about. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation remains engaged and fighting for the policies that affect you as a motorcyclist.
Ride Safe and Ride Free.
–MRF
DUNLOP RACING TIRE FACTORY IN NEW YORK CLOSING–
— By John Ulrich.
The New York factory where Dunlop racing tires, streetbike tires, and other types of tires have been made for the U.S. market is closing, and over 1,500 people will be laid off. The plant also makes car tires, large truck tires, and medium truck tires.
The spec racing tires used in MotoAmerica are made at the plant, which is located near Buffalo, New York, as are OEM fitment tires for Harley-Davidson streetbikes, under contract.
The company has factories making racing tires in other parts of the world, including in Japan, and has built and stockpiled U.S.-made tires for 2025 MotoAmerica and club racing in the U.S.
A press release issued by Dunlop’s parent company, Sumitomo Rubber, follows:
SUMITOMO RUBBER USA ANNOUNCES PLANNED CLOSURE OF TONAWANDA TIRE MANUFACTURING FACILITY
Tonawanda, NY, (November 7, 2024) – Sumitomo Rubber USA, LLC (SRUSA), a Tonawanda, New York-based manufacturer of automotive tires for passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles, today announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Tonawanda, NY.
The closure follows an extended examination of the viability of the facility, following thorough analysis of various business complexities, including mounting material and logistics costs, dated infrastructure, intermittent performance, and changing market conditions. The evaluation was undertaken as part of a broader strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Sumitomo Rubber Group in the competitive international tire market.
While the company did implement cost-control measures, efficiency enhancements, capital investments, and other improvements over the last several years, these changes have not offset mounting financial losses at the facility.
Approximately 1,550 hourly (union) and salaried (non-union) employees will be impacted by the announcement and have been formally notified of the decision. The United Steelworkers Union Local 135 has also been updated and the company is working with union representatives on effects bargaining and equitable severance packages. The company intends to actively collaborate with union representation and former salaried employees on various job placement support services to help ease workforce transition.
Read the whole Tamale here: Further information on the plant closure is available on the company’s closure announcement web page at https://srusa-tonawanda-update.com.
Read a local news report here:
https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/erie-county/tonawanda/sumitomo-rubber-announces-plant-closure
ALEX EPSTEIN SPEAKS OUT–Why I strongly support Chris Wright for Secretary of Energy
An in-depth interview I did about Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright, who was recently nominated for Secretary of Energy.
ALEX EPSTEIN
Chris Wright, founder and CEO of Liberty Energy
Reporter:
When I was looking into Chris Wright’s views of oil and gas being a great thing for the world, I thought, “this is exactly the kind of stuff that Alex Epstein talks about.” So I was wondering if you could say a little bit about: to what extent are Chris Wright’s views about energy in line with yours?
Alex Epstein:
Chris and I are extremely aligned, almost uncannily so. I say uncannily so because unlike many executives who I think have primarily come to this kind of view through my work, Chris, in my understanding, mostly came to similar conclusions on his own.
I was quite impressed that this is a CEO who’s A) willing to say these kinds of things, and B) unusually knowledgeable about multiple aspects of the issue. So not just the energy part of it, but the climate part of it. I thought he had a much more nuanced view of the climate part of it than other CEOs I’ve encountered.
Sometimes with CEOs—there’s no universal thing, but sometimes what you’ll see—is people will publicly just say something vague like, “Climate change is a serious problem” and you get that level of superficiality. Or sometimes people will say, “Do fossil fuels cause global warming at all?” It often goes between those two things.
And Chris, like me, had much more of the idea of, no, there is a greenhouse effect and we need to think carefully about: what’s the magnitude of that, what are the negatives of that, what are the positives of that? And then, in the case of the negatives, what are the offsetting positives that we get from fuels that we wouldn’t have if we didn’t have fossil fuels?
I would say although I certainly have an interest in how liberty particularly makes life better for the world’s poorest people, that’s probably Chris’s focus. That’s been his focus for many decades. And he definitely sees energy as part of the picture that more broadly includes liberty.
And he also—I think this is another place we align—he also definitely thinks of supporting primarily not fossil fuels or oil and gas, but rather abundant, cost-effective energy. And he, like I, believes that fossil fuels will remain uniquely cost-effective and scalable for the foreseeable future. And the world needs far more energy, if you recognize the world is mostly poor. So we both come at it from that perspective, not from the perspective of having a favoritism.
Reporter:
Right, it’s like, energy is great, and fossil fuels work great for energy.
Alex Epstein:
Yeah. We would love if something better came along—and the sooner, the better. But we try to be objective about the competitive advantage fossil fuels have. I think of it on the level of silicon in semiconductors. It’s like, you’ve got these physical properties that are very hard to replicate, and then you have generations of smart people building an industry around those specific physical properties. That’s something very, very hard for something to rapidly replace and you could do a lot of damage.
Reporter:
There are good reasons to get away from silicon, but yes.
Alex Epstein:
I don’t know specifically there, but you could think about this with other things as well. If you think about the technology of—again, just my view—but the technologies involved in antibiotics and vaccination, people could say I think with more plausibility with antibiotics, but they could say, “Well, there’s certain things I don’t like about antibiotics.” They have resistance, et cetera. But then you think about, well, we don’t have a better way of dealing with all kinds of different infections, so we should seek out a better way.
We should always seek out better ways of everything, but we should still champion antibiotics as long as they’re the best solution for all these different use cases.
Reporter:
What would it be like to have that view in leading the Department of Energy, not just in contrast with the Biden administration, but even, say, in contrast with Dan Brouillette and Rick Perry? What do you think are the kind of policies that could stem from those sorts of views?
Alex Epstein:
So I think there are a few things, and one thing I’ll say about the Department of Energy position that is known to anyone who knows about energy (but worth highlighting) is the Department of Energy does not deal primarily with the vast majority of energy, and it deals a lot with things like nuclear materials. And so it’s actually not at all automatic that even when a good person is head of the Department of Energy that they will have all that much effect on energy—although I do believe that they can, and I think Chris almost certainly will.
And so the opportunities to affect it, let’s just say few of the biggest opportunities are, one is DOE has oversight of FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which has oversight of electricity, at least most of electricity, let’s say—it doesn’t have full oversight over generation, although it has some. And then we have the natural gas pipeline system.
These are likely the two most crucial parts of our energy system for the next several years because the grid is obviously the basis of electricity and has enormous supply and reliability problems currently and on the horizon as demand increases. And then with the natural gas pipeline system, that is really the choke point for US natural gas reaching its potential. US natural gas is by far the fastest scaling way we have of increasing energy production in general and electricity production in particular, but it’s bottlenecked by pipelines.
So in both of those cases, FERC has oversight. Now, FERC is one of these quasi-independent agencies, but DOE can exercise a lot of positive leadership over it, including directly and also in consultation with the President of the United States. And now also Doug Burgum, whom I also think is excellent, is going to be in charge of this National Energy Council, which hasn’t been fully, at least to me, hasn’t been fully fleshed out.
But I think somebody like Chris who understands the problems and also the fundamental solutions with FERC can do an enormous amount of good improving the electricity system as head of DOE. But it takes a very special person with a bunch of different skills and knowledge, including very good communication skills, knowledge of policy, knowledge of technical stuff, putting together the right team. It takes a very specific person, which is why when people asked me—like many people, I get asked who I would recommend—Chris was my number one recommendation by far. My number one recommendation for any energy position, period. And then also Doug Burgum was actually my number one for Interior.
So in terms of the energy picks, those two in particular have gone well. And I suspect that because Chris is in charge of DOE, that increases the probability of having good picks for the Chairman of FERC and the Chairman of the NRC. And that’s one of the other crucial things that the Secretary of Energy can influence is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, both by selecting the right Chairman and Commissioners for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but also having a vision of what needs to change there.
And Chris has a benefit in terms of he’s long been interested in nuclear energy. He started out in fusion at MIT, but he’s quite knowledgeable about fission and very interested in what can be done to really unleash the potential of nuclear energy by really having, I would say, proper scientific policies, which I do not think the NRC does.
They have a lot of pseudoscience that makes them treat nuclear, which is actually the safest form of energy, as the most dangerous form of energy and their mission as an agency is essentially to eliminate all nuclear risk at essentially all costs. And that just makes us have more expensive and more dangerous energy, because if you try to eliminate all risk from the safest thing, then you end up with more dangerous things.
And then actually the third thing I would say in general is the Secretary of Energy, because of the title, also has a significant, at least potential, bully pulpit to exercise leadership in energy, to express opinions about this.
So for example, Governor then Secretary Perry, I think one of the things he did that was very valuable that was perhaps underrated, is he made quite a big focus of the power of American energy and energy in general to alleviate poverty in the developing and undeveloped world. In fact, he and I met—we subsequently became quite close and have a great relationship now—but we actually met when I was speaking in South Africa in 2017, and we really bonded over this issue. So that’s an example of, it’s not just the policy, but you can prioritize this as a thing in government. Obviously, Chris, given his interests, I would guess this will definitely be a focus of his insofar as he’s talking publicly about energy, how the world needs more energy.
WISH A WISH UPON A STAR AND NEVER STOP–I’m scrambling on Museum projects, the new Sturgis Magazine, maybe, the first Museum Raffle effort, Museum Members, Friends of the Museum, my Knucklehead, a 1913 Boardtrack racer and maybe a book project around an American Indian living in the hills.
But one of the major inspirations this year has been working with Danial James. He’s a standup guy who has helped artist for 25 years, like David Uhl and Scott Jacobs. He’s working on the initial steps for a Scott Jacobs piece right now and was David Uhl’s partner for 29 years. I hope these guys will support Danial James efforts to promote his art and talents in Sturgis and the Motorcycle Museum.
He’s one of the few talents around who gets up helping folks and creating. I’ve worked with talented artists, designers and creators with logos, fine art, designs, you name throughout my magazine and internet life. I’ve worked with David Mann, George Fleming, Jon Towle, Dusty who worked for Disney. Danial is right up there at the top with the best, and no one is easier to work with or more prolific.
You’ll see as the 2025 unfolds and we rock with fine art, logos, museum projects and western art. Hang on. In the meantime, have a special Christmas you deserve it.
–Bandit
