Following the Money in Climate Policy and Corporate Activism

On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Kim Monson examines the money behind environmental and social activism. Laramie Energy CEO Bob Boswell exposes the true costs of green mandates, award-winning RE/MAX realtor Karen Levine discusses Colorado’s rent control legislation, and Heritage Foundation economist Stephen Moore reveals how climate spending has become a massive wealth transfer.

Climate Spending as the Greatest Taxpayer Ripoff

Start listening at 70:04 – Hour 2

Stephen Moore, Distinguished Fellow in Economics at the Heritage Foundation and former Wall Street Journal writer, joins Kim to discuss his recent article titled “This is the greatest taxpayer ripoff in American history.” Moore reveals that America has spent over $100 billion on climate change initiatives, yet global carbon emissions are higher than ever. He describes this as a “climate change industrial complex” that serves special interests rather than environmental goals.

Moore challenges the premise that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, pointing out that U.S. air quality is the cleanest in the country’s history, with actual pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead, and sulfur reduced by 90 percent over the past 50 years. He connects climate policy to broader patterns of government dependency, noting that 52 schools in Illinois have not a single child reading or doing math at grade level. The conversation broadens to discuss the Claremont Institute’s revelation that $82.9 billion has been contributed or pledged to Black Lives Matter and related causes, much of it from major corporations.

“This is not about cleaning up the environment, folks. This is about money.”

Stephen Moore, Heritage Foundation

The Hidden Costs of Green Energy Mandates

Start listening at 32:20 – Hour 1

Bob Boswell, CEO of Laramie Energy and longtime sponsor of the Kim Monson Show, joins Kim to discuss the reality behind green energy policies. Boswell highlights the disconnect between environmental rhetoric and actual outcomes, noting that global carbon emissions reached record highs last year despite massive spending on renewable energy. He points out that achieving net-zero carbon would cost an estimated $290 trillion over 20 years, roughly $80,000 per person in the United States.

Boswell contrasts American energy policy with China’s approach, where 50 new coal plants are under construction while the U.S. restricts domestic energy production. He discusses the Bureau of Land Management under Tracy Stone Manning, where oil and gas leasing has dropped from over one million acres annually under previous administrations to just 175,000 acres under the Biden administration. The conversation also touches on the hypocrisy of wealthy environmentalists who consume vast amounts of energy while advocating restrictions for ordinary Americans.

“You know, and I’m not, I think CO2 is nature’s fertilizer.”

Bob Boswell, CEO of Laramie Energy

Rent Control Threatens Housing Supply

Start listening at 59:30 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, award-winning RE/MAX Alliance realtor, calls in from Florida to discuss the Colorado real estate market and concerning legislation. Levine reports that the spring market is heating up, with more houses going under contract than new listings arriving. However, she warns about House Bill 1115, a rent control measure that has passed the Colorado House and moved to the Senate.

Levine explains why rent control historically decreases housing supply rather than making it more affordable. As a landlord herself, she notes that she and her husband have not raised rent in five years, demonstrating that many private landlords already practice restraint. The concern is that government mandates will drive mom-and-pop landlords to sell their properties, further reducing the available rental housing stock in an already tight market.

“We haven’t raised rent on our tenants for over five years in a rising marketplace.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor