CEO Column

Last year I wrote a couple of times about climate nonsense. Since then, a lot of things have changed. To quote former President Barack Obama, “Elections have consequences.” With Donald Trump’s presidential re-election, the approach on many environmental issues has drastically changed, and the omnipresent focus on all things climate change has waned. However, that doesn’t mean climate nonsense has disappeared.

Last September I wrote an article titled “The Dog Days of Summer” about our summers growing up in the 1960’s in north Mississippi. We made up games, ran the neighborhood, dug holes to China, rode bikes, and went to the “Y” and played baseball. We were free — until Labor Day. We never started back to school until the Tuesday after Labor Day. My grandkids now start back the first week in August. Our summers seemed endless — theirs seem too short.

We had a large crowd at the beach for the Fourth of July. My oldest daughter, Ashley, her husband Scott, and their kids, Gates, Collins, and Smith and friends were at the house.

Last month I wrote about the April 28 electrical blackout that affected most of Spain and Portugal. The primary theme of that article was that PowerSouth emphasizes electric reliability more than some states, regions, or countries. This month, I will discuss more about what happened with the Iberian blackout — and why it will happen again. But, first, I need to bore you for a few minutes.

It seems each month I read a report, article or quote from a respected source with yet another warning of the energy shortfalls facing the United States. More often, the articles I see are from the climate “news” publications predicting our imminent doom if we do not act now to reduce carbon emissions.

Psychologists often recommend patients facing troubling circumstances or difficult decisions to focus on pleasant experiences or good memories to reduce the stress of the situation. I have many great memories that I have visited over the years to calm my nerves or make me feel a sense of peace and comfort.

It’s early Sunday morning, and a couple of issues are on my mind. The electric utility industry has several challenges and will certainly face great change related to the enormous amount of electricity data centers are projected to need in the future.

For decades, numerous environmental organizations and the environmental media have run an increasingly pressurized campaign to eliminate the use of all fossil fuels. You have seen the headlines – Net Zero by 2050, Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground, Clean Energy Not Dirty Fuels, and many others.

I had just gotten used to writing 2024 on my checks, and now I have to double check and make sure I write 2025. Things change quickly. As we get older, time passes quicker.

Last week I watched the 2024 version of Jimmy V Week that showcases some of the best basketball teams across the country to raise money for the V Foundation to support cancer research and cures. As usual, Coach Jimmy Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards, given while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, was shown.