Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom
Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable. Stay tuned for updated energy news!
Monday, September 21, 2009
White House Appoints Head of New DOE Agency
Labels: energy, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:01 PM
0 comments
Friday, August 28, 2009
Obama Administration Finds Support on Energy Issues
52 percent of those polled support Obama's controversial cap and trade system to limit greenhouse gas emissions. 42 percent opposed the idea.
Overall, the results indicate fairly broad and steady public support for the Obama administration's agenda toward revamping US energy policy.
For the full article in the Washington Post, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, energy policy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:35 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Cash for Clunkers at Home? Govt Considers Vouchers for New Appliances
Labels: economy, efficiency, energy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:56 AM
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Developments in Alternative Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Sea
Labels: energy, energy sources, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:40 AM
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Audit Finds Energy Department is Wasting Energy
Labels: efficiency, energy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:47 PM
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Investment Announcement Signals Shift for "Big Oil"
Labels: energy, energy sources, oil companies, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:55 AM
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Energy Secretary Urges China to Cooperate in Climate Efforts
Labels: climate change, efficiency, energy, global warming
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:15 AM
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Clean Energy Debate Exposes Regional Divides
Labels: efficiency, energy, energy sources
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:08 AM
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Nuclear Included in New Energy Profile
Labels: energy, energy sources, environment, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:12 AM
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Offshore Drilling May Return to Senate Energy Debate
Notably, the proposal would allow for expanding leasing for oil and gas exploration in the US, and streamline permitting procedures for offshore drilling.
The debates are part of the Committee's continued mark-ups on a broad energy bill.
Today marks the first day lawmakers will be able to view the full proposed list of amendments to the bill.
To access the article, click here.
Labels: energy, oil companies, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:08 AM
0 comments
Monday, June 1, 2009
Debate Resumes Over Waxman-Markey Climate Bill
To offer a counterpoint to the debate, we are posting a link to a Washington Post article, which discusses some of the possible negative points of the Waxman-Markey bill.
To access the article, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, energy policy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:09 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
EIA Releases Extended Energy, Pollution Outlook
While substantial growth is expected in the use of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar, the EIA maintains that overall growth in demand will require continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially oil and coal.
The biggest increases in energy use will come from economically developing countries such as China and India.
To read more, click here.
Labels: energy, energy policy, energy sources, environment, global warming
posted by Amanda Voss at 12:37 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
G8 Calls for Continued Investment in Alternative Energy
With the global economic downturn and credit crunch, projects in both conventional and alternative energy sources have been halted.
“The current financial and economic crisis must not delay investments and programmed energy projects which are essential to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity,” ministers from the G8 and 15 other countries including Saudi Arabia, China and India said in their concluding statement yesterday after a three-day meeting.
To read the full article in Bloomberg, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, energy sources
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:13 AM
0 comments
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2008 Data Reveals Record Drop in U.S. Carbon Emissions
Much of this decrease may be attributed to the drop in travel caused by soaring gasoline and diesel costs last summer and the general economic decline later in the year, which added up to a 2.2 percent drop in energy consumption. The largest previous drop in travel related emissions was 1.3 percent in 1991.
Overall, the government reported Wednesday that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined by 2.8 percent last year compared to 2007, the largest annual drop since the government began regular reporting of greenhouse gas pollution.
To read more, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, environment, global warming
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:26 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Google Partnership Offers New Tool for Energy Efficiency
Utilizing "smart" meters installed by the utility partner, PowerMeter enables customers to monitor their consumption on their personal iGoogle homepage.
So far, Google has partnered with utilities in California, Texas, Florida, India, Wisconsin, Missouri, Canada and Kentucky.
To read more about this new energy development, click here.
Labels: efficiency, energy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:55 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Amidst Rocky Market, EIA Releases Oil Forecast
While numbers might be falling, China appears on the EIA's radar with growing demand forecasted, even for the economic downturn of 2009. Based upon China's recent purchases, oil rose above $60 a barrel - a six month high - in the markets on Tuesday.
To read a full analysis in The Wall Street Journal, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, oil price, oil supply, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:46 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Democrats Seek Consensus on Energy Legislation
While policy provisions instituting a strategy for replacing gas-guzzling cars with more fuel-efficient models met with general support, much tougher negotiations lie ahead on a bill that would, for the first time, limit emissions linked to global warming.
The Obama administration has endorsed pending energy legislation broadly, saying it would advance key parts of the president's domestic agenda, namely slowing global warming and transitioning to a clean energy economy. The House Energy committee, which is still working on the final language for the possible combined energy bill, has postponed a vote due to cost concerns raised by the panel's moderate Democrats.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: automakers, energy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:42 AM
0 comments
Friday, May 1, 2009
Drilling Rig Count Suffers Rapid Decline
Steve Andrews, an advisory board member, was kind enough to share the above slide with us this week. In layman's terms this means there is a serious lack of investment in the rigs we use to drill for oil and natural gas in this country. That means when (and I say when, not if - recessions don't last forever) demand increases again we face the usual 2-5 year start up time from when the call is made to drill until the first product goes to market. As Steve put it, regarding the decrease in rig count "While we had a longer decline and larger percentage crash between 1981 and 1985, nothing has approached this crash in terms of speed and depth combined." Scary!
Labels: energy, oil supply/demand, peak oil
posted by Jamie Lang at 2:55 PM
0 comments
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Expansion of Government Funding for Renewables Research
Obama's goal with these funds, Chu said, is to prepare the country to compete economically decades down the road, as well as meet the immediate challenges of climate change and energy demand.
In total, the stimulus package gave $39 billion to the Energy Department. The money is split between in grants, tax breaks and loan guarantees, with much of it going to renewable energy and conservation programs.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: efficiency, energy, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:00 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Next Big Energy Exporter: Kansas?
The study, run by Joint Coordinated Systems, calculated the state's maximum wind potential at 19 gigawatts by 2030 and projected 1 megawatt of power annually each from solar and bio-energy.
The study found tremendous potential to market Kansas energy to places such as Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Georgia. This alternative energy exportation could create $23 billion in cumulative economic impact and 12,000 jobs from now through 2030.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: energy, energy sources, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:13 AM
0 comments
Friday, April 24, 2009
Weighing the Cost of Proposed Energy Legislation
These higher prices would come as the result of proposed cap and trade legislation, currently under consideration in Congress. The proposed plan puts a price on the gases linked to global warming, and establishes a paid permit system for emissions.
While energy providers proposed that initial permits be offered free of charge, the president's budget assumes that allowances will be sold and uses the projected $650 billion in revenue to help people pay for higher energy costs and to develop new, more climate friendly energy sources.
"It should not be legislation that is designed to raise revenue. ... It should be something that is trying to achieve its objective of reducing carbon emissions in the country and that alone," said Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents 42 million consumers in 47 states.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, environment, gas tax, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:48 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Iconic Empire State Building to "Go Green"
The building is beginning a $500 million renovation, with $100 million specifically aimed at making it more energy efficient. In all, the project is expected to save about $4.4 million a year on energy.
Project coordinators aim to make the famous skyscraper, once the tallest in the world, a model of energy efficiency and conservation.
Labels: efficiency, energy, environment
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:55 AM
0 comments
Friday, April 3, 2009
Largest Public Utility Group Buys Into Renewables
The Tennessee Valley Authority board gave President and CEO Tom Kilgore authority to sign contracts totaling up to 2,000 megawatts of renewable and clean energy by 2011, with some of the power entering TVA's seven-state system as early as 2010.
To read the full article released in the Associated Press, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:30 AM
0 comments
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tesla Motors Unveils Plans for All-Electric Passenger Car
Tesla also plans to open a dealership in Chicago soon, the first of a seven this year. The Windy City showroom will be Tesla’s third and the first outside of the company’s home state of California.
Tesla burst onto the alternative vehicle scene and became famous for its high-performance, all-electric sports car, the Roadster.
To read the full article in Scientific American, click here.
Labels: automakers, energy, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:26 AM
0 comments
Monday, March 23, 2009
Obama Links Clean Energy Progress with Budget Proposals
According to the Associated Press release, Obama planned to make the case Monday for a budget proposal that invests billions in research designed to reduce climate change and guarantees loans for companies that develop clean energy technologies. Obama has tied his first budget proposal as president to a renewable energy program to help the United States move toward energy independence.
Details of the budget specific to energy include $39 billion at the Department of Energy and $20 billion in tax incentives for clean energy. Obama's 10-year budget proposal contains spending of nearly $75 billion to make permanent existing tax cuts for energy research and experimentation.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: energy, energy policy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:28 AM
0 comments
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saudi Oil Minister Advocates the Critical State of Fossil Fuels
These comments came after the latest OPEC meeting, where members agreed to hold production steady, given the tenuous state of the world economy.
In extolling the continued need for, and reliance upon, fossil fuels, Naimi additionally accentuated the issue of lagging technology in alternative fuels. "... there is no excuse to pin our hopes only on alternatives which today are just supplemental energies," he said. "Our immediate focus, then, must be to make fossil fuels cleaner and more efficient."
To read the full article in Reuters, click here.
Labels: energy, oil price, oil supply/demand, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:31 AM
0 comments
Friday, March 13, 2009
IEA Lowers Forecast Again
"The International Energy Agency on Friday lowered its estimate for global oil demand in 2009 as the crisis curbs demand in the United States, Russia and China.
The agency said demand would drop for a second consecutive year for the first time since 1982-1983.
In its closely watched monthly survey, the IEA cut its forecast for demand this year by 270,000 barrels a day to 84.4 million barrels a day — 1.5 percent lower than a year earlier.
The Paris-based agency said demand for oil last year was estimated to have slid 0.4 percent to 85.7 million barrels a day.
The IEA said that "the eventual resumption of global demand growth will largely depend upon much stronger economic performance than is currently the case" among the world's biggest energy consumers, and that the latest indicators are "not encouraging."
Members of OPEC have responded to lower demand by cutting output.
The IEA estimates that global oil supply fell in February to 83.9 million barrels a day, down 1 million barrels a day from January and down 3.4 million barrels a day from a year earlier."
To access the link to this article, click here.
Labels: energy, oil price, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:53 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Interior Secretary Salazar Reveals Department's Energy Agenda
Salazar cited offshore wind projects on the Atlantic coast as a key to meeting renewable energy goals in America.
Additionally, Salazar promised to review oil and gas exploration leases on public lands. So far this year, proposed tests to explore oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have been sidelined by Interior Department rulings.
To read the full Associate Press release, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy, energy sources, environment, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:34 AM
0 comments
Friday, March 6, 2009
Reid Indicates Support for New Multi-Issue Energy Bill Strategy
Reid had previously outlined a three bill strategy for enacting President Obama's energy policies, but his combination of energy standards with the controversial cap-and-trade program into one bill has now drawn both criticism and praise. While some organizations lauded his efforts at attempting to quickly enact energy policy change, others are concerned that the cap-and-trade program's inclusion in the bill will endanger the passage of other, less controversial, energy measures.
The bill now faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it will need 60 votes.
To read the full article in the New York Times, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:39 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
T Boone Pickens in the Chicago Tribune
Pickens issued three imperatives:
•Build a more reliable and efficient electrical transmission grid to meet the demand for clean, renewable electricity.
•Develop "smart-grid" technologies that will save consumers money.
•Reduce our foreign-oil dependency and develop a clean, alternative transportation fuel infrastructure.
To read the full article in the Tribune, click here.
Labels: energy, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:40 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 20, 2009
Framing the Peak Energy Debate
"Will we continue to use fossil fuels to the detriment of our planet and the human population? Or can we clean up our act in time to avoid calamitous change? That's the dilemma the world currently faces, yet in spite of efforts to transition to alterative energy sources, projections show that annual fossil fuel demand is likely to increase 45 per cent by 2030."
While focusing on the relationship between fossil fuel consumption and the climate, Kleiner also highlights the lack of information in the public domain, leading - in some experts' opionions - to the deepening of the energy crisis.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, global warming, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 12:54 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
U.S. Automakers Need to Prove Viability, Progress
To qualify for funding, the automakers must demonstrate long-term viability during restructuring.
Hit by the one-two punch of escalating gas prices followed by the recession, America's "Big Three" auto producers have suffered massive losses.
Also announced today, President Obama is coalescing an oversight board for the auto restructing process. The task force will include members from the departments of Treasury, Labor, Transportation, Commerce and Energy; the National Economic Council; the White House Office of Energy and Environment; the Council of Economic Advisers; and the Environmental Protection Agency, the official said.
To read the CNN news release on this story, click here.
Labels: automakers, economy, energy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:18 AM
0 comments
Monday, February 16, 2009
Renewable Energy Developments to Expand in UK
Britain generates about three gigawatts of energy from wind farms, enough to power more than 1.5 million homes. The government estimates the UK will need to generate about 28 gigawatts in this way to hit the 2020 target.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: energy, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:35 AM
0 comments
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Advancements in Our Energy Future: California Nears Deal on Solar Thermal Power
The deal represents a bright spot for the renewable energy industry, which has been pinched due to the economic downturn and the drop in the cost of oil.
Solar-thermal power uses heat from the sun to create steam to spin electric turbines, thus generating electricity for consumers.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: energy, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:17 PM
0 comments
Monday, February 9, 2009
New Chair of House Energy Subcommittee Reveals Policy Goals
Citing staunch agreement with T. Boone Pickens, Markey is well-known as a champion for tougher vehicle fuel efficiency standards, a foe of nuclear power plants and has called for less generous royalty terms for oil production on federal lands. He has also supported a windfall tax for oil companies since the 1980s.
While Markey focused on energy-related parts of Congress’ economic stimulus package at CERA, he also indicated that massive climate change law is expected out of his committee this spring.
To read the full article and hear more about Markey and proposed energy policy, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy, energy policy, environment, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:29 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 6, 2009
Obama Calls for New Energy Efficiency Standards
Obama's memorandum comes in the face of an executive history of tardiness in applying Congressionally set standards. According to the Times, Mr. Obama said he intended to comply with the laws, starting this year with nine categories of products, including ovens, vending machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers and light bulbs.
Obama touted the energy and cost savings of these measures in remarks before the Energy Department.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: efficiency, energy, energy policy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:13 PM
0 comments
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wind Power Gained in 2008; US Surpasses Germany
New wind farms have generated over 27,000 MW of electricity. Global wind energy capacity grew by 28.8% last year, even higher than the average over the past decade, to reach total global installations of more than 120.8 GW at the end of 2008. Over 27 GW of new wind power generation capacity came online in 2008, 36% more than in 2007.
The United States overtook Germany as the world's green superpower by installing 8,358 MW in 2008, a 50% increase over the previous year. 8,000 MW is enough wind energy to power two million homes in the US.
Additionally, renewables experts continue to watch China, as the nation doubled its green power output in 2008.
To read the full article on MSNBC, click here.
Labels: economy, efficiency, energy, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:06 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Stimulus Plan Predicted to Bolster Green Energy
Short term projects include funds to "weatherize" 2 million homes by improving things such as insulation and leaky windows, while also improving the efficiency of 75 percent of federal buildings. Another provision would pay for 3,000 miles of transmission lines to move electricity from wind farms and solar installations, many in the West and Southwest, to consumers in the rest of the country.
Finally, additional funds channeled to green energy industry are expected to put 460,000 Americans to work on energy projects and double the amount of alternative energy produced over the next three years.
To read the full NPR article, click here.
Labels: efficiency, energy, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:27 AM
0 comments
Friday, January 16, 2009
Plans for 'Green' Infrastructure Could Take a Backseat
To reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, Obama has pledged to invest in green infrastructure, including a national electric grid and high-speed rail lines. According to the LA Times, at a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, Obama's Energy secretary nominee, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu, said a nationwide grid would be "in the national interest" and said the country needed a "new way of doing business" to get it built quickly.
Besides economic road blocks, the infrastructure package also faces a lack of pre-planning and conflict over land rights. Still, proponents are hopeful that the plans will reappear in a bill later this year.
To read more about Obama's green infrastructure proposal, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:20 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Florida To Add Nuclear Power to Energy Mix
When completed, the reactors are projected to generate enough electricity to power more than 1.3 million Florida homes.
While proponents tout nuclear power as a reliable and clean energy source which lessens American dependence on foreign oil, the project has fallen under criticism due to security concerns, both from terrorism and from the hazardous nature of nuclear materials.
Labels: energy, energy sources, National Security
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:02 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Year in Review: Bumpy Road to Market for Renewables
Fairing best in 2008, wind and solar companies will enjoy extended benefits in 2009, thanks to an extension package tied to the $700 billion Congressional financial bailout. The real economic squeeze has caught biofuel companies, particularly those with publicly traded stocks, which lost up to 95% of their value in 2008.
Despite a sober market forecast, renewable companies continue to enjoy set market shares for 2009, due to government mandates on renewable energy usage. Joseph Muscat, Ernst & Young's Americas director of cleantech and venture capital, predicts that clean energy and renewables will be the first economic segment to experience significant rebound.
To read the full Associated Press synopsis, click here.
Labels: biofuels, economy, energy, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:12 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Developments in the Markets: Economy & Oil
Despite the precipitous decline in prices, OPEC leaders tabled an additional production cut at the November 29 summit, delaying the decision until the next meeting. Not all OPEC members have complied with recent cuts, as indicated by the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned producer statement that it would provide full contractual volumes to Asian refiners.
Additionally, the drop in crude oil prices has forced demand and prices for biofuel components, such as palm oil, down.
To read more from Bloomberg's summary of oil market activity, click here.
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:33 PM
0 comments
Monday, May 19, 2008
Michael Klare's New Energy Order
So begins Michael Klare's article chronicling the end of the energy world as we know it. Klare identifies intense competition over energy sources among economic powers, insufficiency of existing energy supplies, the delay in developing alternative energy sources, migration of wealth and power to energy-rich nations and a growing risk of conflict as factors shaping our new energy reality.
For the full text of this article, click here.
Labels: energy, energy policy, energy sources, oil price
posted by Amanda Voss at 4:10 PM
0 comments
Monday, December 3, 2007
Peak Possibilities
"This isn't quite the same as saying that oil production has peaked and is about to start declining sharply--the view of the true peakists. In "peak lite," as some call it, the big issues are not so much geological as political, technical, financial and even human-resource-related (the world apparently suffers from a dearth of qualified petroleum engineers). These factors all delay the arrival of oil on the market, meaning that production would not so much peak as plateau. But with demand rising sharply, especially from China and India, even a plateau could be precarious."
Very true, and great to see in a major publication. View the whole article here.
Labels: energy, energy policy, oil companies, peak oil, u.s. energy policy
posted by Jamie Lang at 3:57 PM
0 comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Americans More Concerned About Global Warming
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/20/warming.poll/index.html
Poll shows Americans getting more concerned about global warming
Survey finds more Americans believe phenomenon proven. Majority say U.S. should take action even if other nations don't. Most Americans believe emissions from cars, industries the primary cause.
(CNN) -- Most Americans blame emissions from cars and industrial plants as the primary cause of global warming and believe the United States should reduce levels even if other countries don't, a survey shows.
Fifty-six percent of poll respondents said the phenomenon of global warming has been proven, and can be largely blamed on human endeavors, such as power plants and factories, according to the CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll.
In comparison, 21 percent of those surveyed claimed global warming problems are caused either by natural changes or are unproven.
Sixty-six percent of Americans believe the United States should do what it can to reduce global warming, even if other nations ignore it. This compares with 52 percent of respondents who believed that way in 2001.
In that year, 34 percent thought the United States needed to reduce harmful gases only if other nations did. A much smaller proportion, 16 percent, responded that way in 2007.
The survey of 1,212 adults was conducted October 12-14 and has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
Labels: climate change, energy, energy policy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Jamie Lang at 6:10 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Must-read - Our energy/global warming talk vs. our walk!
June 3, 2007Op-Ed Columnist, nytimes.comOur Green Bubble By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Surely the most glaring contrast in American political life today is the amount of words, speeches and magazine covers devoted to the necessity of “going green,” “combating climate change” and gaining “energy security,” and the actual solutions being offered by our leaders to do any of these things. You could very comfortably drive a Hummer through the gap between our words and deeds.
We are playing pretend — which, when you think about it, is really troubling. Here are the facts: Our worst enemies, like Iran, have been emboldened by all their petrodollars. The vast majority of scientists tell us that global warming caused by our burning of fossil fuels is a real danger. And with three billion new consumers from India, Russia and China joining the world economy, it is inevitable that manufacturing clean, green power systems, appliances, homes and cars will be the next great global industry. It has to be, or we will not survive as a species.
And yet ... and yet our president and our Congress still won’t give us an energy bill that would create the legal and economic framework to address these issues at the speed and scale required.
If you were President Bush, wouldn’t you want to leave behind something big, bold and important on energy, just in case — you know, just in case — Iraq doesn’t turn out so well? I sure would. But the president still has not challenged Congress or the country to undertake a radical departure on energy. So we still have only “energy politics,” not “energy policy.” Like previous energy bills, the packages working through the House and Senate today represent more “the sum of all lobbies,” as the energy expert Gal Luft, co-chairman of the Set America Free Coalition, puts it, not the sum of our best ideas.
Some lawmakers are pushing corn ethanol from Iowa, either because they hail from that area and are looking to give more welfare to farmers by wasting money on an alternative fuel that will never reach the scale of what is needed, or because they plan to run in the Iowa caucuses. Others are pushing huge subsidies to turn coal into gasoline, because they come from coal states. Those who don’t come from Michigan want higher mileage standards imposed on Detroit, while those who come from Michigan prefer to continue their assisted suicide of the U.S. auto industry by blocking tougher mileage requirements.
“The only green that they are serious about in Congress right now is the one with Ben Franklin’s picture on it,” Mr. Luft said.
Yes, it is helpful that Mr. Bush expressed a desire last week to work with other nations to limit greenhouse gases. His bully pulpit matters. But no one will — or should — take him seriously unless his government first leads by example. What would that look like? It has to start with a clear, long-term price signal. That is, a carbon tax or gasoline tax — or a cap and trade system with a binding national ceiling on carbon dioxide emissions — which would set a price for dumping carbon into the atmosphere or driving a gas-guzzling car.
Get Washington to signal that gasoline is never going to retreat from a level of $3.50 or $4 a gallon — and that wind and solar subsidies will be there for a decade, not stop and start as they always have before; get Washington to commit to buying a fixed volume of solar and wind power for government buildings and Army bases for 10 years, with only U.S.-based manufacturers able to compete for contracts; get Washington to set a new fleet average of 35 miles per gallon for Detroit within 10 years — with no loopholes; establish government loan guarantees for any company that wants to build a nuclear power plant; and, finally, build a national transmission grid — a green power superhighway — so that solar energy from Arizona or wind from Wyoming can power homes in Chicago. Do all that and our private sector will take America from green laggard to green leader.
Unfortunately, Congress is brewing instead a hodgepodge of incrementalism. This is particularly disappointing when America’s corporate icons — G.M., G.E., A.I.G., DuPont, PepsiCo — “have all come out in favor of a national mandatory limit on carbon emissions,” notes Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense. “But Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have not risen to their challenge.” We have a multigenerational problem that requires a systemic, multigenerational response, and that can happen only if we get our energy prices right.
Only that will guarantee green innovation and commercialization at scale. Anything less is wasted breath and wasted money — and any candidate who says otherwise is only contributing to global warming by adding hot air.
Labels: economy, energy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Chris Atwood at 10:39 AM
1 comments
