Hume claimed Gore's "energy use has surged more than 10 percent," ignored Gore's response that it's all "green power"
SUMMARY: On Special Report, citing purported findings by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, Brit Hume claimed that Al Gore's "energy use has surged more than 10 percent" since environmentally friendly renovations were completed on his home. Hume offered no response from Gore. Responding to the charge, a Gore spokeswoman stated that "[w]hen [the Gores] do use power, it's green power." According to the Tennessee Valley Authority, green power "create[s] less waste and pollution" than standard electricity.
On the June 18 edition of Fox News' Special Report, citing the purported findings of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, host and Fox News Washington managing editor Brit Hume claimed that former Vice President Al Gore's "energy use has surged more than 10 percent" since environmentally friendly renovations were completed on his home in 2007. An on-screen graphic showed a photo of Gore with the caption, "Climate Charlatan." However, Hume offered no response from Gore. In a June 18 article, The Tennessean reported that Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider responded to the TCPR press release by stating, "When [the Gores] do use power, it's green power." In 2007, Gore's office reportedly said that 100 percent of the electricity in his home comes from green power, and Kreider was similarly quoted in The Washington Post as saying that "[t]he power coming into their residence is green, renewable power."
As the Tennessean further noted, "[T]he Gores participate in the Nashville Electric Service's Green Power Switch program, which allows them to buy their electricity from renewable sources like wind power, solar power or methane gas." According to the Tennessee Valley Authority, which partners with the Nashville Electric Service and other local energy distributors to provide green power, "[a]lthough no source of energy is impact-free, renewable resources create less waste and pollution."
In 2007, after the TCPR issued a similar report criticizing Gore's energy use, Media Matters for America documented several media outlets that similarly omitted steps Gore was taking to reduce his carbon footprint.
From the June 18 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume:
HUME: And now, the most enthralling two minutes in television, the latest from the "Political Grapevine."
After former Vice President Al Gore's massive home energy use was exposed in February of 2007, the Nobel Prize winner began using solar panels, a geothermal system, energy-efficient light bulbs, and even updated his windows and ductwork.
But the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, which revealed Gore's energy bills last year, reports that since he made those green-friendly changes to his Tennessee mansion, his energy use has surged more than 10 percent.
The center says that in past year, Gore's home has burned through more than 213,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is said to be enough to power 232 average American households for a full month.
both gore and his wife have offices in the home and as this link notes, there is a commercial kitchen for formal events. there is also a guest house.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/gore.home.ap/index.html
And you can see Gore is taking full advantage of that kitchen LOL
http://www.thehotjoints.com/2008/06/18/al-gores-personal-power-consumption-up-10/ + http://tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=764
I think the main complaint is that Gore is using more power SINCE turning his house green powered. I would assume that he continues to work in the house and eat in the house just as he did BEFORE changing it to be more environmentally efficient. So your strawman arguement means nothing since the article is about his higher usage of power since turning the house "green". Do you think Gore will help those 232 homes that could have been powered last month? No, I don't think the hippocrit will help anyone except himself. He's a true liberal!
As pointed out by many other posters: this house is also an office for him, for his wife and their staff as well. AND comparing how much energy the house has used in a year to powering "average" home use per month is meaningless.
Why are you so obsessed with Gore anyway? I know really; you don't want to take the message about reducing your own consumption to heart. Pity.
Of course, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research does not make any mention whatsoever about Gore's drastic reduction in the use of natural gas as a result of his geothermal heating and cooling.
So Gore's using electricity generated by renewable sources, and he's using far less natural gas, which adds up to less carbon being released into the atmosphere.
But the right-wing slime machine can still spin it and send it on it's merry way into the echo chamber.
"So Gore's using electricity generated by renewable sources, and he's using far less natural gas, which adds up to less carbon being released into the atmosphere."
Which "renewable" source is that?? You can spin his hypocrisy any way you want (or are told to) but the FACT remains, Gore is a hypocrit in the true liberal sense. Even in his attempts to make money off of poor people who will fall for his scam ideas. Apparantly, there are a lot of liberals who fall for his scam, since he seems to be doing very well (eating wise). Is he related to the other fatty-fat-fat guy who keeps making political movies that nobody watches?
For this post, you should earn a bachelors, a masters, and a phd. Good work.
"Which 'renewable' source is that??"
As shown in the link to the Tennessee Valley Authority that MMFA provided you, it's actually 3 sources: solar, wind and methane.
"there are a lot of liberals who fall for his scam, since he seems to be doing very well (eating wise)"
The amount of calories ingested is not a definitive indicator of personal income. Even the poorest of the poor can become obese from a combination of 99-cent AM/PM corn dogs, soft drinks, and a lack of exercise.
Ah, yes. The old global warming is a hoax line. Just for you, here is a list of organizations that accept global warming as real and scientifically supported:
NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS): http://www.giss.nasa.gov/edu/gwdebate/
Every major scientific institution dealing with climate, ocean, and/or atmosphere agrees that the climate is warming rapidly and the primary cause is human CO2 emissions. In addition to that list, see also this joint statement (PDF) that specifically and unequivocally endorses the work and conclusions of the IPCC Third Assessment report. The statement was issued by:
You can also read this statement [PDF], which includes all the above signatories plus the following:
But if scientists are too liberal and politicians too unreliable, perhaps you find the opinion of key industry representatives more convincing:
Have the environazis seized the reigns of industrial power, in addition to infiltrating the U.N., the science academies of every developed nation, and the top research institutes of North America? That just doesn't seem very likely.
"Conservation" is a different question. It makes sense to "conserve" oil and other pollutants and non-renewables.
But what, precisely, would be wrong with having a big-ass jaccuzzi, or ten, if it's wind-powered, other than some sort of ascetic objectionability?
And as long as the turbines and solar panels are in someone else's backyard, right?
Power can be transferred over thousands of miles via wires. So far, there is no shortage of rural areas, far away from anyone's backyard that are prone to high winds and clear skies.
Even if we were somehow forced to put power plants in people's backyards, would you rather have solar panels, a wind turbine, or a coal plant spewing soot into the air?
You're also overlooking the third source of renewable power from which Gore draws which is methane. As long as humans and animals produce waste, there will be methane that can be harvested.
"When the people of some states require that a certain % of electrical power be from renewable resources (as in our State), I'll feel real good that that power is going to a narrow group of people like the Gores instead of being spread through a larger segment of the population."
As shown on the link that MMFA provided to you, there are 12,218 residential and 514 businesses in the Tennessee Valley alone that voluntarily participate in the Green Power Switch program.
Simple math, actually. The more people that sign up, the larger the population segment gets. I thought market forces were the answer to everything in the eyes of righties. Was I wrong?
So conservation goes out the window when we go green?
I guess in Gore's view, yes. I guess when the power is renewable, it won't run out, it doesn't put carbon into the air, and he's paying through the nose for it, he sleeps well at night.
The 'geyser' qualification was specifically referring to Hume and like minded people.
The diehard cultic believers are fed the line that Global Warming isn't happening at all, and Gore and those like him are trying to start a religion to halt progress, hurt America, and send us back to the dark ages....
Mauman, I'm pretty sure his home is his office too, more of a business/home combination.From what I've heard, there is a staff working there, and I'd guess, closing in on a national election, he may have people working there.
I know that in Baseball the term 'Mendoza Line' stands at .200 because of the low batting average of a former player for the Phillies(I think). You don't want to be batting below the Mendoza Line.
In algore's case, it's the $4.00 gallon of gas. I hope the media begins to refer to the price being so much above or below the 'AlGore Line' so the blame for high fuel prices hits where it belongs, with the ideas of the anti-capitalists in the guise of environmentalism.
Al Gore Line huh? And everytime a president has unfavorable ratings we should use a scale system called the Bush Index to determine where on the scale of sucknicity said president ranks.
Look the attacks on Gore are mostly founded in pride and jealousy, a staple in conservative DNA. Al Gore has been credited with bringing the issue of energy conservation to the forefront of America. Of course republicans are gonna hate!!! So he used 10 percent more energy. Okay?? He lives in Tennessee. It's hot.
Now what we really need is a grading system for weaker countries we can start wars with for personal gain. We can call it the Cheney Model.
There was a republican congresswoman on c-span last night giving an impassioned speech about how we need to start drilling EVERYWHERE. She was so in love with the prospect of getting more oil, it made me sick. Her main argument was that if we start drilling, gas will be down to $2 a gallon.
Right.
Nice try, PC. But $4 gas is going to be one more aspect of the failed presidency of George W. Bush.
Gas was well below $2 when Clinrton and Gore left office.
Got any more tired Rush lines to recycle?
Isn't it the right-wing view that market forces are the answer to every problem?
Over 12,000 other residents and 500 businesses in Gore's local area have chosen to purchase green power. The more people that cough up the extra cash, the more capital they have to invest and bring more renewable sources online.
It's bad enough, almost criminal, that the hard but fruitful task of reducing fossil fuel emissions, is side-tracked by inane bickering about "climate change" and "global warming".
And this side-tracking of the public dialogue about reducing emissions is intentional: as long as people can be drawn into unresolvable pointless debates about "climate change" and "global warming", then they aren't discussing emissions, or reducing them, right?
It's intentional, and it's a shame: political media hacks like hume at Fox, they provoke this pointless argument, that side-tracks any real constructive dialogue about reducing emissions...
It's bad enough when that happens: it's then made even worse when the pointless and inane bickering becomes a defense of Al Gore.
Gore's home has burned through more than 213,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is said to be enough to power 232 average American households for a full month.
These are some of my Fox Faves, the wacky mismatched statistic that's aimed at the mouth-breathing meatheads who can't balance their checkbook. Sure, the number still comes out to almost 20 houses, but why would Hume compare a year's usage to a months? Oh, just to come up with a nice round 232.
"Wouldn't there be more so-called GREEN energy if Big Al used less? Therefore others can use the green energy? Seems logical to me, but hypocrisy is the way of the left"
That's like saying "wouldn't there be more cows if people ate less?"
Energy, like cattle, is produced to meet the demands of the market.
Your confusion on this issue may be that, in order to avoid thinking about its own behavior, the Right wrongly paints the mass of Americans as 'anti-consumer' back-to-nature 'Kommunists' or some codswallop.
The mass of Americans (who you call "the left", for some reason) are quite happy to live in nice houses, to drive lovely, safe, vehicles, and to watch enormous TeeVees. We just don't want you stupid, weasteful, greedy, lazy assholes polluting the whole world and wasting its finite resources.
Comprende, sissie?
"I hope the media begins to refer to the price being so much above or below the 'AlGore Line' so the blame for high fuel prices hits where it belongs, with the ideas of the anti-capitalists in the guise of environmentalism."
Ha! Good one! I think the media should report the death toll in Iraq as the "Bush Murder Count". That'd be a real hoot!
Hey, Jesus never held an elected office. :-D
I know, it's a comparison that's beyond ridiculous.
Seriously though, the right-wing slime machine has a duty to protect polluting cartels and their entitlement to vast wealth. Al Gore's message and celebrity have to be met with force if they are to preserve anything remotely resembling a positive public opinion about the fossil fuel cartel. There's just too damn much money to be made soaking consumers for non-renewable energy and preventing them from spending their money on other products from other industries.
The TVA "Green Power Switch" is nothing more that an additional 4$ for each 150 kilowatt-hour block to the power company supposedly to support Alternative Sources of Energy.
The fact is, the electricity to Gore's residence comes from the same grid as the guy next door or down the street who DOESN"T pay the extra 4$. Its a sham that he is trying to use the TVA "Green Power Switch" as an explanation because the fact is, his electric power usage went up 10% from last year. Its like saying, "Hey, I can drink and drive because I give lots of money to MADD."
Sorry, Hume is right, as usual. No matter how you want to spin it otherwise, Gore is a hypocrite on this.
You conveniently left out this part: "Each block adds $4 to the customer’s monthly power bills. Consumers may buy as many blocks as they like."
So, according to Gore, ALL of his purchased power is green.
According to the TCPR's research, Gore used 213,000kw hours in the past year.
213,000kw / 150kw X $4 / 12 months = An additional $473 per month from Gore to invest in renewable sources. In addition, TVA also says, "increased demand may lead to expanded power production capacity and eventually to lower costs." And that over 12,000 of Gore's neighbors also participate.
And in regard to "supposedly to support Alternative Sources of Energy":
"TVA has the capacity to provide as much as 97 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually."
Do you suppose, or do you outright claim, that the TVA is deliberately lying?
"Do you suppose, or do you outright claim, that the TVA is deliberately lying?"-PETE592
Very clever Pete, but no - I never said they are lying. I am merely pointing out that Gore's electric power, 'Green Power Switch' or not, still comes from the same grid. Its a convenient way to say "I'm going Green!" without actually having to conserve or make any lifestyle changes. How convenient is that?
Gore could use some advice from Bush on having an eco-friendly home. Ironic, ain't it?
It is ironic when you consider that Bush has an appalling environmental record as governor and president.
But in regard to Gore's home, which is a very old house that he did not build...
Gore also has gone geothermal, greatly reducing his reliance on natural gas by 90%.
He also has a rainwater collection system.
He also has solar panels.
The improvements he made were not completed until October of 2007, but that's irrelevant to those who will never see him as anything other than a hypocrite and will pounce on his usage numbers regardless of how indicative they may or may not be of his post-improvement consumption.
Should Gore move into a smaller house and sell his current home to some other rich person who will continue the same rate of gas and electricity consumption and won't make any of these improvements at all?
And in regard to the power coming from the same grid...
Yes it does, and as more and more people pay for renewable power, the more investment TVA can make, and the bigger the percentage of the grid that can be handled by renewable sources, and the less reliance on fossil fuels is needed. This isn't rocket science.
I saw that gas was still at $.19 above the 'Algore Line' in my locale. Hope his jetsetting doesn't increase his carbon footprint too much. Would hate to see gas get below the 'Algore Line' and not fulfill his and his anti-capitalists pals' dreams of high priced gasoline, or his plans for carbon taxing that would be kaput.
But there is salvation for the environment found in promoting himself and his carbon offset schemes.
http://thescroogereport.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/al-gore-live-earth-suffering-from-wasted-energy/