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AI is bringing an unprecedented surge in energy consumption, whether policymakers understand the energy implications or not.

GOP senator leaves top Energy Dept. official stumbling over basic questions about cost of the green agenda



Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) left a top Biden administration official stumbling on Wednesday when he asked how spending trillions of dollars on the green agenda will help the environment.

At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Kennedy asked Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk how much taxpayer money is required to achieve President Joe Biden's climate goal of carbon neutrality.

Turk advised Kennedy that the United States needs to reach that goal by 2050. But when asked how much that plan will cost, Turk couldn't answer, other than admitting, "It will cost trillions of dollars." When pressed for an exact figure, Turk couldn't provide one, nor was he able to provide various estimates that he has seen.

Turk argued that not achieving carbon neutrality will cost even more than the green investments themselves. But when Kennedy pressed him for the difference, Turk couldn't provide one. Kennedy pointed out that Americans can't believe his argument if the government can't provide an actual estimates of savings.

Kennedy then turned to a different topic: How many degrees will Earth's temperature decrease by achieving carbon neutrality?

"If you could answer my question: If we spend $50 trillion to become carbon neutral in the United States of America by 2050 — you're the deputy secretary of Energy — give me your estimate of how much that is going to reduce world temperature," Kennedy pressed.

"So first of all it’s a net cost, it’s what benefits we’re having from getting our act together and reducing all of those climate benefits, we're seeing—" Turk responded.

But Kennedy did not have patience for Turk's obfuscation. He interjected, asking his question again, but he was not successful. At no point did Turk explain the benefits of carbon neutrality.

“You don't know do you?" Kennedy shot back. "You don't know do ya, Mr. Secretary?"

Turk then instructed Kennedy that he can "do the math," arguing the U.S. is responsible for "13% of global emissions," therefore if the U.S. achieved "0 that would be a 13% less pollution."

But Kennedy had finally had enough.

"You just want us to spend $50 trillion and you don't have the slightest idea whether it's going to reduce world temperatures," he scolded Turk. "Now I’m all for carbon neutrality, but you’re the deputy secretary of the Department of Energy and you're advocating we spend trillions of dollars to seek carbon neutrality — and this isn't your money or my money, it’s taxpayer money — and you can’t tell me how much it's going to lower world temperatures? Or you won’t tell me? You know, but you won't?"

Turk responded that he believes "in my heart of hearts" that "there is no way the world gets its act together on climate change unless the U.S. leads."

Kennedy questions Turk, Hruby in Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water www.youtube.com

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GOP senator rapid fires odd question at carbon tax advocate who floats far-fetched hypothesis about Xi Jinping



Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) used a series of odd-ball questions on Wednesday to highlight the far-fetched hypothesis of one carbon tax advocate.

During a Senate Budget Committee hearing addressing intersecting issues of the economy and climate change, Kennedy began his time grilling two witnesses, Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Dr. Robert Litterman, about the costs associated with carbon neutrality.

Litterman, a devout advocate of a carbon tax, admitted he does not know the cost, while Holtz-Eakin estimated it would cost $50 trillion. When Kennedy followed up, asking how carbon neutrality would positively impact the climate, neither man could provide a substantive answer because they both agreed it would be contingent on China and India, which count for more than one-third of the world's population.

Kennedy then zeroed in on Litterman's apparently uninformed advocacy.

"Do you believe ... based on your observation of [Chinese President Xi] Jinping that Mr. Xi Jinping will ever do anything that is inconsistent with China's best interests in the name of global climate change?" he asked Litterman.

Litterman responded that China indeed has a carbon tax. Of course, that was not Kennedy's question. The Republican senator then clarified his inquiry, asking Litterman whether he believes Xi Jinping would ignore China's domestic interests in lieu of global ones.

"I think that President Xi understands that we have to work together to address this global problem, yes I do," Litterman responded.

Kennedy questions Litterman, Holtz-Eakin on climate in Budget www.youtube.com

To register the implausibility of Xi ever putting China's interests second to the international community, Kennedy then asked Litterman three questions that exposed the absurdity of Litterman's suggestion.

"Do you believe in the Tooth Fairy?" Kennedy asked.

"No sir," Litterman responded.

"Do you believe in the Easter Bunny?" Kennedy followed up.

"No sir," Litterman shot back.

"Do you believe that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes?" Kennedy asked again.

"No sir," Litterman said.

President Joe Biden has directed the U.S. government to take steps to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. But two major questions about carbon neutrality, which Kennedy highlighted, remain unanswered, namely how it will be financed and whether it will work at all without all-in support from India and China.

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