 |
Mickey Miller |
 |
Weathering the ‘Perfect Storm’
Our nation’s electric utility industry is heading into a “perfect storm.” While the amount of electricity we use every day steadily increases, the capacity to generate and transmit that power is running short. In the past, fossil fuel-fired power plants were the go-to option to meet growing new demand with proven technology, but upcoming federal regulations on carbon dioxide emissions is changing that. The cost of complying with new regulations could make electricity less affordable for everyone—a major concern for Nolin RECC and its members.
In December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a part of the executive branch, declared that six key greenhouse gases from auto emissions, including carbon dioxide, are “endangering public health and welfare” of current and future generations. Emissions from motor vehicles of four of those greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, were also said to contribute to dangerous air pollution.
The endangerment findings put a foot in the door for EPA to issue sweeping new rules that could impose strict limits on carbon emissions, including those from power plants. The cost of generating electricity would go up, and in the end those costs would hit consumer pocketbooks.
Congress is working on its own set of carbon dioxide regulations,and we must continue to ask that any resulting legislation be fair, affordable, and technologically achievable. I have been addressing legislation issues on climate change for the past several years. As of this date, we are all still waiting to see what happens as the U.S. Senate begins to study the Waxman-Markey bill, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
Whatever the political outcome, the honest truth is the change won’t come overnight. Fossil fuels currently account for more than 70 percent of all electricity generated in the United States. New technology is the key to keeping traditional options up-to-date and refining new ways to affordably keep the lights on. Cleaner use of fossil fuels, an increased use of renewable energy, and a big commitment to energy efficiency will all be necessary.
Electric co-ops have a long history of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to their members, and no “perfect storm” is going to keep us from continuing to do our job. Co-op research projects are already under way to expand the current limits of renewable energy, make coal- and natural gas-fired power plants cleaner and more efficient, and possibly even capture carbon dioxide from plant emissions before they go up a smokestack and store them deep underground to keep them out of the atmosphere.
Nolin is a member of the Cooperative Research Network (CRN) based in Arlington, Virginia. Recently CRN was awarded a $33.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, to be used to support a wide-ranging “smart grid” research project. The effort brings together 27 electric co-ops in 10 states, which will match the grant money awarded to create a pool of nearly $68 million for ground-breaking technology development. With a smarter electric grid, we’ll be able to deliver electricity to our consumers more efficiently—cutting the amount of emissions we’ll need to generate as a result.
Co-ops have stepped up to challenges in the past, and I have no doubt our response to this challenge will not be any different in the end. But we need your help in relaying to Congress just how important it is to keep climate change legislation fair, affordable, and technologically achievable. To make your voice heard, join the Our Energy, Our Future® grassroots awareness campaign at www.ourenergy.coop.
