Robert Rapier
@robertrapier.bsky.social
Chemical engineer writing about energy and investing. I primarily write for Forbes and Investing Daily.
For the past 25 years, China has been the primary driver of rising global carbon emissions. That could finally be changing. I dig into the numbers, the politics, and the implications in my latest Forbes article. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
China’s Carbon Plateau: A Turning Point Or A Temporary Pause?
China’s carbon emissions have flattened for 18 months, raising the possibility that the world’s largest emitter is nearing its long-anticipated peak. Here’s what it means.
www.forbes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
For the past 25 years, China has been the primary driver of rising global carbon emissions. That could finally be changing. I dig into the numbers, the politics, and the implications in my latest Forbes article. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Bill Clinton could do the ultimate funny thing right now. Hold a press conference and say, "I did not have sexual relations with that man. Mr. Trump."
November 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Bill Clinton could do the ultimate funny thing right now. Hold a press conference and say, "I did not have sexual relations with that man. Mr. Trump."
For those of you wondering what to do about your skyrocketing electric bill, I offer some suggestions in today's Forbes article. If you are proactive, you can definitely shave some money off your bill. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
How To Cut Your Electric Bill Without Sacrificing Comfort
Electric bills are up sharply, but smart thermostats, time-of-use plans, and home efficiency upgrades can help you save hundreds each year.
www.forbes.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
For those of you wondering what to do about your skyrocketing electric bill, I offer some suggestions in today's Forbes article. If you are proactive, you can definitely shave some money off your bill. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
I did a quick take on the Chevron refinery fire in California. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Chevron Refinery Fire Threatens California’s Fragile Fuel Supply
A major fire at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery threatens California’s gasoline supply, exposing the state’s fuel vulnerabilities and likely driving pump prices higher.
www.forbes.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I did a quick take on the Chevron refinery fire in California. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Many people have asked about this, so here it is. Yes, we are going to set our 3rd consecutive oil production record this year. At the same time, oil production growth has slowed substantially over the past three years and could decline in 2026. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
U.S. Oil Production Is On Pace For A New Record, But Growth Is Slowing
U.S. oil output is hitting records, but growth is slowing. Here’s why production is flattening—and what it means for prices, OPEC, and energy investors.
www.forbes.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Many people have asked about this, so here it is. Yes, we are going to set our 3rd consecutive oil production record this year. At the same time, oil production growth has slowed substantially over the past three years and could decline in 2026. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
I just finished Service Model, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (@aptshadow.bsky.social), after previously reading Alien Clay and Children of Time. This man is a god. His name will be remembered among the greatest science fiction writers of all time. I am now searching for everything he has written.
August 26, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I just finished Service Model, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (@aptshadow.bsky.social), after previously reading Alien Clay and Children of Time. This man is a god. His name will be remembered among the greatest science fiction writers of all time. I am now searching for everything he has written.
I have been besieged with questions about oil production and gas prices, so I wrote an in-depth analysis of what's happening, complete with graphics. It debunks myths and explains exactly why the price of oil and gasoline are falling. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Are Gas Prices Falling Because U.S. Oil Production Is Surging?
Gas prices are falling in 2025, but is surging U.S. oil production under Trump the reason? A closer look at supply, demand, and global forces tells a different story.
www.forbes.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I have been besieged with questions about oil production and gas prices, so I wrote an in-depth analysis of what's happening, complete with graphics. It debunks myths and explains exactly why the price of oil and gasoline are falling. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
I have had so many people ask me over the past month about why their electric bills are suddenly so high, that I wrote a Forbes article about it this morning. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Why Your Electricity Bill May Be Skyrocketing
Rising electric bills are hitting households nationwide as AI data centers, LNG exports, heat waves, and grid costs drive power prices higher.
www.forbes.com
August 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I have had so many people ask me over the past month about why their electric bills are suddenly so high, that I wrote a Forbes article about it this morning. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Interview I did today on CBS on "Drill, Baby, Drill." Yes, I know I say "uh" a lot. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCO...
Active oil and gas rigs down since Trump took office
YouTube video by CBS News
www.youtube.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Interview I did today on CBS on "Drill, Baby, Drill." Yes, I know I say "uh" a lot. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCO...
My latest Forbes article. Global nuclear power output set a new record high. The good news is that China--the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide--is leading the charge with more than a tripling of output in the past 10 years. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Nuclear Power Output Quietly Sets A New Record
Nuclear power hit a record high in 2024, but growth is shifting from the West to Asia and the Middle East, reshaping the industry’s future and climate impact.
www.forbes.com
August 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My latest Forbes article. Global nuclear power output set a new record high. The good news is that China--the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide--is leading the charge with more than a tripling of output in the past 10 years. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
I am quoted in this recent Wired article about why "Drill, Baby, Drill" isn't working: www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Trump Promised to ‘Drill, Baby, Drill.’ The New Rigs Are Nowhere to Be Found
With clean energy more cost-competitive than it once was, the White House’s oil-first strategy is faltering.
www.wired.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I am quoted in this recent Wired article about why "Drill, Baby, Drill" isn't working: www.wired.com/story/trump-...
If you are puzzled as to why renewable energy can grow as rapidly as it has, but fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions continue to rise, I explain it in today's Forbes article.
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
The Renewable Illusion: Why Fossil Fuels Keep Winning
Global renewables hit records in 2024, but fossil fuel use still rises. Here’s why solar’s surge isn’t enough—and what the latest energy data really shows.
www.forbes.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
If you are puzzled as to why renewable energy can grow as rapidly as it has, but fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions continue to rise, I explain it in today's Forbes article.
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Reposted by Robert Rapier
Everyone knew this shoe was about to drop, and that the WSJ was sitting on more information: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Donald Trump’s name reported to feature in DoJ files about Jeffrey Epstein
Wall Street Journal report says president’s name appears ‘multiples times’ as Congress subpoenas Ghislaine Maxwell
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Everyone knew this shoe was about to drop, and that the WSJ was sitting on more information: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
With this deflection, he definitely answered the question.
Q: “Did Bondi tell you your name appeared in the Epstein Files?”
TRUMP: “The files were made up by Comey, Obama, Biden…” 🤔
Nothing to see here, folks!
TRUMP: “The files were made up by Comey, Obama, Biden…” 🤔
Nothing to see here, folks!
July 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM
With this deflection, he definitely answered the question.
Despite a global push toward renewables and decarbonization, natural gas remains the world's fastest growing fossil fuel. My latest in Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Why Natural Gas Is Still Thriving In A World Chasing Net Zero
Global natural gas production and consumption hit record highs in 2024, led by the U.S., China, and LNG exports. Here's what the 2025 data reveals about the future.
www.forbes.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Despite a global push toward renewables and decarbonization, natural gas remains the world's fastest growing fossil fuel. My latest in Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Part 2 of my article on carbon emissions for Forbes contains a thought experiment: Where would we be if all historical U.S. emissions could be erased? The point was to show the U.S. legacy contribution, while highlighting what is driving carbon emissions today: www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
The World’s Biggest Carbon Emitters—And The Story Behind The Numbers
China, the U.S., and India top the CO₂ list—but per capita and economic efficiency stats show a deeper climate divide. What the numbers really reveal.
www.forbes.com
July 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Part 2 of my article on carbon emissions for Forbes contains a thought experiment: Where would we be if all historical U.S. emissions could be erased? The point was to show the U.S. legacy contribution, while highlighting what is driving carbon emissions today: www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
My first of two Forbes articles on global carbon emissions. It delves into why emissions keep climbing despite record deployment of renewables. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
2025 Energy Review: Why Global Carbon Emissions Are Still Climbing
Despite record investments in renewables, global carbon emissions just hit an all-time high. I break down which countries are driving this growth, and which aren't.
www.forbes.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
My first of two Forbes articles on global carbon emissions. It delves into why emissions keep climbing despite record deployment of renewables. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
As I told a reporter earlier this morning, of course Iran would respond. Otherwise, the government loses face with the Iranian people. But the nature of the response caused oil prices to drop sharply. I explain in my latest Forbes article. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Why Oil Prices Fell After Iran's Missile Strike
Oil prices fell after Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. base, as markets interpreted the move as symbolic rather than escalatory—pricing in a pause, not a war.
www.forbes.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
As I told a reporter earlier this morning, of course Iran would respond. Otherwise, the government loses face with the Iranian people. But the nature of the response caused oil prices to drop sharply. I explain in my latest Forbes article. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
The crude oil market just opened for the first time since Friday. Prices are up across the board, but not enormously so.
June 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The crude oil market just opened for the first time since Friday. Prices are up across the board, but not enormously so.
I am getting significant requests for comment on the developing situation, so I knocked out a quick Forbes article explaining why the Strait of Hormuz is such an important and vulnerable region. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
The Strait Of Consequences: World Braces For Potential Energy Shock
Rising U.S.–Iran tensions and a threat to close the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global oil and LNG markets, driving up prices and reshaping energy strategy.
www.forbes.com
June 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I am getting significant requests for comment on the developing situation, so I knocked out a quick Forbes article explaining why the Strait of Hormuz is such an important and vulnerable region. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Did Toyota build a water-powered car, as recent social media claims asserted. Um, no. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
No, Toyota Didn’t Build A Water-Powered Car
Despite viral claims, Toyota hasn't built a water-powered car. The truth involves hydrogen combustion and water cooling—not free energy or onboard electrolysis.
www.forbes.com
June 19, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Did Toyota build a water-powered car, as recent social media claims asserted. Um, no. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
When President Bush announced his hydrogen vision in 2003, I was working for ConocoPhillips on hydrogen production. I was skeptical about some of the things he said at that time. Today, I explain in a Forbes article why we still don't have a hydrogen economy. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
What Happened To The Hydrogen Economy?
Hydrogen was once seen as the fuel of the future, but George W. Bush’s dream of a hydrogen-powered America never materialized. What happened—and what’s next?
www.forbes.com
May 28, 2025 at 8:18 PM
When President Bush announced his hydrogen vision in 2003, I was working for ConocoPhillips on hydrogen production. I was skeptical about some of the things he said at that time. Today, I explain in a Forbes article why we still don't have a hydrogen economy. www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
I asked four different AIs to rank the five most corrupt presidents in U.S. history. All four named the same five (4 of 5 were Republicans). Donald Trump was on every list.
I think Trump will eventually end up at the top of this list, but here's how Microsoft CoPilot ranked them.
I think Trump will eventually end up at the top of this list, but here's how Microsoft CoPilot ranked them.
May 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I asked four different AIs to rank the five most corrupt presidents in U.S. history. All four named the same five (4 of 5 were Republicans). Donald Trump was on every list.
I think Trump will eventually end up at the top of this list, but here's how Microsoft CoPilot ranked them.
I think Trump will eventually end up at the top of this list, but here's how Microsoft CoPilot ranked them.
Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Here I am laying a rose at the grave of Basil Shirley, who is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
May 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Here I am laying a rose at the grave of Basil Shirley, who is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.