The First 4 Parts of this Series are recommended for reading to have the background facts about the U.S. Energy Grid. To summarize, Cogport estimates a demand for an additional capacity to produce electric energy of 260,000 MW (260 GW) by 2030. The U.S. currently has about 597,000 MW (597 GW) of capacity which is already in a shortage situation. Based on the information provided earlier in the Series, Cogport suggests a proposed plan for new plants to meet future demand: SHOR

In Part 3 we estimated the cost of Construction for new plants from different Fuel Sources.  Let’s break it down by cost per MW of Usable Capacity Cost to Build New Plants – Initial Investment Required Per MW Type                                          Initial cost per MW                    Construction                                                  of Usable Capacity                    Leadtime                               Coal                                        $ 6

In Parts 1 and 2, Cogport reviewed the Current Situation of the Electric Grid Capacity, and Future Demand. The Analysis showed that the U.S. needs to add 260,000 Megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2030. The future Demand shows we need 260 new plants producing 1,000 MW on average. That is a challenging goal considering the cost of new plants, and the long lead-time to build them The Public Utilities have no plans for this kind of investment and Government Policy is nowhere to be fo

In the First Part of this Series (12/29/25), Cogport compared Demand and Supply on the U.S. electricity grid.  It is suggested that you view that report for background. Here is a Quick Summary: Existing Usable Capacity  …………………..    596,507 Megawatts (MW) Current Demand ………………………….…    466,000 MW The U.S. is currently consuming 78% of Usable Capacity. That is a dangerously high demand level situation versus capacity.  It leaves little room for events that could affect supply.

This post is the start of a Series about the U.S. Electrical Grid. Electric is a critical component of our Infrastructure that has been neglected for lack of policy vision. It is not an easy fix. This Series is data intensive to provide a full background on the subject. Cogport will present the basic Data and provide Commentary to explain. We hope you will take it all in; we will try to break it down to digestible bites. The Basic Background: The Total U.S. Demand  for Elect

EV’s are a growing portion of the total U.S. auto fleet.  This Report covers the current situation and future potential.   Approximately 100 million passenger cars  are registered in the United States About 6.5% (6.5 million) of those are electric vehicles (EV’S)  and Hybrids . In 2024 , Total U.S. New Car Sales were……… 16 Million   Number of EV’s ………………………………… 1.6 Million   About 10% of New Vehicle Sales were EV in 2024. Future Forecast for EV Sales:   Recent industry anal

Cogport proposes Initiation of a New Amnesty program for Illegal Immigrants. It's been done before. Background Ronald Reagan   proposed and passed a  law with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 . Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants Offered legal status  (and a path to permanent residency and citizenship) to undocumented immigrants who: Had entered the U.S. before January 1, 1982 , and Had resided contin

In early 2024, Cogport did a Six Part Series covering the long term changes in Global temperature and factors (Greenhouse Gases, etc.) that affect the Climate.  Summary:  Mankind has thrived in a Goldilocks Age of climate with moderate temperatures in a sweet spot – not too cold, not too hot. Over 4 Billion years, the planet has changed from Fire to Snowball Earth to many ranges in between. Here is an update on recent trends on the average annual temperature  in the U.S. (con

The previous post reviewed the costs of crude oil and gasoline. The cost of crude has fallen but the national average cost of gasoline has not.  The expectation was that lower crude prices would lead to lower gasoline prices. Why hasn’t the price of gasoline declined?  The reason presented was the increasing cost of refining oil into gasoline. Refineries in the U.S. are old and capacity is limited – not a new one has been built in 50 years. The expense of maintenance and upgr

In the previous post, Cogport addressed the Affordability Issue on the Price of Beef. We continue that theme with the Price of Gasoline. The policy of “Drill Baby Drill” has worked to increase crude oil supply and reduce prices.  The cost of crude oil is down by 21% over the last year. However, the retail cost of Regular Gasoline has not changed.  That is referred to as “Sticky Inflation .” The average cost of gasoline is exactly the same as one year ago at $3.05 per gallon.

The issue of Affordability for average Americans has reached center stage.  As it should be. Food cost inflation over the last 5 years has been a major issue.  Beef is a major component of our nutrition. This post will focus on why the price of beef has risen so much, and how that can change.  In 2018, one pound of ground beef averaged $ 3.18 per lb. In 2022, one pound of ground beef averaged $ 5.31 per lb. Today, one pound of ground beef averages  $ 6.32 per lb. That is doub

In a post on September 24, 2024 , before the second election of Trump, Cogport.com  reviewed the recent history of oil prices in the U.S. Here is a brief summary of that History: Obama  (2009-2016)    $75 per barrel.     Peak Price   $109 Trump  (2017-2020)      $53 per barrel      Peak Price   $ 70 Biden   (2021-2024)     $80 per barrel      Peak Price  $130 You can easily see the major swings in prices between Open and Restrictive Policies. The effect on inflation  unde

The Senate is held hostage to a Rule that was not sanctioned by the U.S. Constitution. We are in a record period of government shutdown due to this Rule with Democrats unwilling to pass a Continuing Resolution for funding.   What is the Filibuster Rule ? Here is the background history: Prior to 1917 the Senate had no formal mechanism to cut off debate.  Senators could hold the floor with continuous speech preventing the vote on a Senate Bill.  This was known as a filibuster.

In the last post (October 21), Cogport reviewed the current state of the current Broken Budget Process. We encourage you to read that report for background information. This post will focus on what can be done in the short term and structural reforms for the long term. Current Situation The Government is shutdown due to lack of a Final Appropriations Bill for the 2026 budget for the Fiscal Year that began October 1. Continuing Resolutions have been shut down by Democrats who

We are approaching 3 weeks of Federal Government Shutdown. How did we get in this mess ?   We will start with a basic review in plain language of the Federal Budget process.  We have added Footnote Citations at the end of this report for more detail on authority for this review. The U.S. Constitution  provides minimal guidance on the Federal Budget process.  Here are the basics that are provided:   Congress has the single authority to raise revenue  and decide how it is spen

Many Americans have a perverse notion of the meaning of Free Speech. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights,...

Targeted violence is now encouraged in public speech and on-line.  A Quinnipiac Poll just released shows 79% of public believes we are in...

It has taken me a while to compose my thoughts after the shooting of Charlie Kirk.   It was a heinous act by a deranged youth.  Ironic,...

See Part 1 and 2 of this Series on the Wisdom of Private Enterprise on Cogport.com for background on this report. Why the Government...

In Part 1, Cogport provided an overview of why the Government should not be involved in Private Enterprise.  You are encouraged to read...