How Argentina and the United States switched places

[MilHojas]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/20/us-argentina-economic-policy-reversal/

The U.S. is drifting toward the economic policies that devastated Argentina before it changed course

Archived version

 

[sergio]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/20/us-argentina-economic-policy-reversal/

Archived version

Despite many (inaccurate) articles about how the leaders of the two countries are alike, the fact is that during his first term T increased spending and his current bill before Congress will do the same.

 

[Jerry Nelson]

Despite many (inaccurate) articles about how the leaders of the two countries are alike, the fact is that during his first term T increased spending and his current bill before Congress will do the same.

The House GOP tax bill substantially reverses key clean energy policies from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. This rollback threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in investments (mostly in Republican areas), increases energy costs, and harms the U.S.'s position in clean energy technology and economic competition.

 

[QuilmesSlo]

The House GOP tax bill substantially reverses key clean energy policies from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. This rollback threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in investments (mostly in Republican areas), increases energy costs, and harms the U.S.'s position in clean energy technology and economic competition.

You may not like it, but it's hard to see how the budget changes will "increase energy costs." Subsidizing renewables using tax revenue or debt isn't free.

 

[QuilmesSlo]

You may not like it, but it's hard to see how the budget changes will "increase energy costs." Subsidizing renewables using tax revenue or debt isn't free.

California for example, has the highest energy costs in the nation despite its high level of renewables.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

California for example, has the highest energy costs in the nation despite its high level of renewables.

Despite or because?

 

[QuilmesSlo]

Despite or because?

Not really my area of expertise but TX has reasonable rates despite pretty high renewable generation, so part of the california price is…. California.

 

[elhombresinnombre]

Not really my area of expertise but TX has reasonable rates despite pretty high renewable generation, so part of the california price is…. California.

Are we talking about the same Texas? The Texas I know of has become the international by-word for erratic energy supply and sky-high peak prices.

2021: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Texas_power_crisis
Quote: Customers with pricing plans based on wholesale prices who had power faced large bills.[71] Some Griddy customers signed up for wholesale variable rates plans allowed by the Texas deregulated electricity market found themselves facing over $5,000 bills for five days of service during the storm.

2022: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/05/texas-energy-bills-natural-gas-export/

2023: https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielc...s-heading-towards-an-avoidable-blackoutagain/

2024: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/...olling-blackouts-in-august-ercot-report-says/

 

[Jerry Nelson]

Despite or because?

The statement, "California, for example, has the highest energy costs in the nation despite its high level of renewables," is partially accurate but not entirely correct.

• California does not have the highest energy costs in the nation; it has the second highest. Hawaii has the highest residential electricity rates, at 42.69 cents per kWh, while California's residential rate is 31.66 cents per kWh as of early 2025. This places California just below Hawaii, but still well above the national average and nearly double that of many other states.
• California does have a high level of renewables. The state is a national leader in renewable energy, with more than half of its electricity produced from renewable sources as of recent years. In early 2025, California saw a surge in wind, solar, and battery output, with renewables often surpassing fossil gas generation.
• High costs are not solely due to renewables. The primary drivers of California’s high electricity prices are wildfire-related costs, grid upgrades, and utility profits, not just the state’s investment in renewables. While some critics blame rooftop solar and net metering, most analyses point to wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements as the main factors.

Summary:
California has the second highest energy costs in the nation (after Hawaii), and it does have a high share of renewables in its energy mix. However, the high costs are due to a combination of factors, not simply the presence of renewables.

 

[QuilmesSlo]

The statement, "California, for example, has the highest energy costs in the nation despite its high level of renewables," is partially accurate but not entirely correct.

• California does not have the highest energy costs in the nation; it has the second highest. Hawaii has the highest residential electricity rates, at 42.69 cents per kWh, while California's residential rate is 31.66 cents per kWh as of early 2025. This places California just below Hawaii, but still well above the national average and nearly double that of many other states.
• California does have a high level of renewables. The state is a national leader in renewable energy, with more than half of its electricity produced from renewable sources as of recent years. In early 2025, California saw a surge in wind, solar, and battery output, with renewables often surpassing fossil gas generation.
• High costs are not solely due to renewables. The primary drivers of California’s high electricity prices are wildfire-related costs, grid upgrades, and utility profits, not just the state’s investment in renewables. While some critics blame rooftop solar and net metering, most analyses point to wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements as the main factors.

Summary:
California has the second highest energy costs in the nation (after Hawaii), and it does have a high share of renewables in its energy mix. However, the high costs are due to a combination of factors, not simply the presence of renewables.

My only point was that the introduction of increasing shares renewables has not (yet?) led to lower electric prices in any jurisdiction I can think of. But by all means correct me on this point, I would be happy to be wrong