Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Gore's Inconveniet Truth

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research has this to say about Al Gore and his own energy consumption:
Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.
A couple of Huffington Post writers, Dave Johnson and James Boyce call the move a smear machine. But please note that the group that broke the news is not exactly RedState. Of course, that doesn't stop the lefties from claiming Gore is being smeared.

Look, I don't begrudge Gore his big house, I wish I could afford an electric bill that is as big as most people's mortgage payment, but you have to wonder at the hypocrisy of Gore's position. It is not just the private jets or the massive energy bills that Gore racks up, but the insistence that I change my habits regarding energy consumption for a global warming problem I am not convinced actually exists. That is the hypocrisy that bothers me. I think Ed Begley Jr. is a bit of a kook, but at least he is a consistent kook with regard to energy consumption. Gore lacks that consistency of message and action.

No comments: