NCPA Commentaries by H. Sterling Burnett

H. Sterling Burnett is a Senior Fellow for the National Center for Policy Analysis. While Burnett works on a number of issues, he specializes in issues involving environmental policy and gun policy.

  • Jun 13, 2011

    Greenhouse Gas Cuts Proving Illusory

    Recent greenhouse gas emissions cuts reported by developed nations are illusory, a new peer-reviewed study has found, as many of the cuts have occurred simply as a result of industries relocating to developing nations such as China and India.
  • May 04, 2011

    Bluey and Burnett: More oil would mean smaller deficit

    By blocking drilling, Obama turns down billions in needed revenue

    With the price of oil at more than $100 per barrel, higher gasoline prices are eating into Americans' budgets. Consumers, however, are not the only ones losing out. The various taxes, lease revenues and royalty payments to federal, state and local governments for oil and gas production on public lands is a significant source of revenue - among the largest sources outside of the personal income tax. Yet, the Obama administration stubbornly clings to a 'no new production in our backyard policy' - while blaming oil companies for high prices.
  • Apr 08, 2011

    BURNETT AND STEVENSON: Lessons from Japan on nuclear waste

    Safe storage solutions are available - if Congress will act

    The Washington Times - The nuclear crisis in Fukushima, Japan, has shown, beyond a doubt, the time has come to deal with the United States' supply of used nuclear fuel rods - commonly, but erroneously, called 'waste.' The most immediate potential hazard in the Fukushima crisis stems from the loss of water cooling the plants stored spent fuel.
  • Mar 14, 2011

    State Regulators Clear Fracking in Water Pollution Claims

    After conducting a comprehensive study of claims of natural gas production polluting a ranch owner’s aquifer and drinking water, Colorado state regulators concluded the operations undertaken by Pioneer Natural Resources in Las Animas County, Colorado caused no negative water impacts.
  • Mar 10, 2011

    Kentucky Senate Approves Building of Nuclear Power Plants

    Environment and Climate News: The Kentucky Senate has approved a bill to end a moratorium on nuclear power plants being built in the state. The bill, sponsored by Bob Leeper (I-Paducah), passed the Senate on February 8 by a 31-5 vote.
  • Jan 11, 2011

    Energy Should Be Job One for the New Congress

    Most people argue that getting the economy back on track should be the new Congress's first order of business. Yet no one seems to agree on how to do so. I suggest that the 112th Congress look at energy policy as job one to secure the economy for now and the future.


  • Nov 16, 2010

    Rendell Imposes Lame-Duck Natural Gas Moratorium

    Lame duck Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) has placed a moratorium on new natural gas leases on state forests lands. Rendell had previously supported new natural gas leases, but he decided to impose the moratorium after the state legislature declined to implement a hefty new severance tax that he supported.
  • Oct 20, 2010

    Climate Skepticism: Europe vs. America – National Review Online

    H. Sterling Burnet examines why Americans are more skeptical of dire climate threats than Europeans.
  • Oct 06, 2010

    FDA: Genetically Modified Salmon Are Safe for Consumption, Environment

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined salmon genetically modified to grow to maturity faster than either wild or traditional farm-raised salmon are safe for human consumption and pose no threat to the environment.
  • Aug 31, 2010

    New York Senate Passes Fracking Moratorium Bill - Environment & Climate News

    The New York Senate has passed a bill to impose a nine-month moratorium on granting new permits for natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state's portion of the massive, multistate Marcellus shale rock formation.