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Environmental Policy

Class 30 : Energy CofC Fall 2010. Environmental Policy. Public Op on Energy.

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Environmental Policy

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  1. Class30: Energy CofC Fall 2010 Environmental Policy

  2. Public Op on Energy • 2009, “a majority of the public sees the price of energy and dependence on foreign oil as troubling problems” and “a substantial consensus [exists] on the proposals that the nation should pursue, particularly alternative energy, conservation and incentives to become more efficient.” (p289) • However, the study concluded that the public “may not have realistic assumptions about how quickly and easily these alternatives can be achieved.” • 4 of 10 could not name a fossil fuel; half could not id a renewable source; almost 60% thought nuclear energy contributed to climate change

  3. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Investments) Energy Infrastructure * $6 billion for the cleanup of radioactive waste (mostly nuclear weapons production sites) * $4.5 billion for the Office of Electricity and Energy Reliability to modernize the nation's electrical grid and smart grid. * $4.5 billion to increase energy efficiency in federal buildings (GSA) * $3.25 billion for the Western Area Power Administration for power transmission system upgrades. * $3.25 billion for the Bonneville Power Administration for power transmission system upgrades. Energy efficiency and renewable energy research and investment Loans and investments into green energy technology are a significant part of the final bill * $6 billion for renewable energy and electric transmission technologies loan guarantees * $5 billion for weatherizing modest-income homes * $3.4 billion for carbon capture and low emission coal research * $3.2 billion toward Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. * $3.1 billion for State Energy Program to help states invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy * $2 billion for manufacturing of advanced car battery (traction) systems and components. * $800 million for biofuel research, development, and demonstration projects * $602 million to support the use of energy efficient technologies in building and in industry * $500 million for training of green-collar workers (by the Department of Labor) * $400 million for the Geothermal Technologies Program * $400 million for electric vehicle technologies * $300 million for energy efficient appliance rebates * $300 million for state and local governments to purchase energy efficient vehicles * $300 million to acquire electric vehicles for the federal vehicle fleet (GSA) * $250 million to increase energy efficiency in low-income housing * $204 million in funding for research and testing facilities at national laboratories * $190 million in funding for wind, hydro, and other renewable energy projects * $115 million to develop and deploy solar power technologies * $110 million for the development of high efficiency vehicles * $42 million in support of new deployments of fuel cell technologies

  4. Obama’s Campaign Platform • promised “an American clean energy industry,” petroleum policies that “will curb our dependence on fossil fuels and make America energy independent,” air pollution measures that “after decades of inaction…will finally close the carbon pollution loophole by limiting the amount of carbon polluters are allowed to pump into the atmosphere…”

  5. Fossil Fuel Use in US • 4.6% of Population  25% of energy consumption • 1 US Citizen = 1 EU + 1 SA + 1 Asian • 84% US Energy from Oil, Gas and Coal • Nonrenewable and declining stocks • Every Pres since Nixon has tried to reduce US Dependence on Foreign Fossil Fuels

  6. Effects • Transportation  fossil fuel combustion produces 34% of VOCs, 78% CO, 85% sulfur oxides, and 95% of Nitrogen oxides • 5.7m acres (New Hampshire) disturbed by coal mining, half of which is abandoned (80% of all electricity comes from coal) • Since 2000, 9k hazardous spills, more than 1m gallons of oil • China 22% imported oil now to 77% by 2020

  7. Renewable Energy • Renewable 7% of energy (Wind, Solar, Hydro, geothermal, biomass) • Nuclear 9% • Since the ‘70s, the White House, Congress and the public have “feebly and inconstantly embraced renewable energy and conservation compared to the national investment in fossil fuels.”

  8. Risks & Tradeoffs of Renewables • Good • Tech is available now (just expensive) • Could double wind and solar easily • Generates jobs • Corps moving to take advantage of downstream savings • Tradeoffs • Highly vulnerable to market changes (prices) • Difficult to get loans today (financial crisis) • Heavily dependent on Gov’t for incentives & subsidies • Regulatory restrictions from climate change, will make electricity more expensive, and consumers will forgo extra $$ for renewables • Enviro tradeoffs  wind turbines vs. birds/ecosystems or biofuels increase, which produces more fertilizer runoff affecting water

  9. Turn off of Nuclear • 1975: 56 commercial reactors, 69 more under construction, 111 more planned • 2 incidents • 1979, 3 Mile Island (PA) reactor meltdown demonstrated technical and econ problems • 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe became political catalyst to for disillusionment over nuclear

  10. Nuclear: Its revival • NRC: Nuclear Regulatory Commission  fed regulatory agency for nuclear energy • Last received an order for new facility in 1973 • By 2008, 23 companies applied to build 34 nuclear facilities, with 4-8 new units on line by 2018. • Greenpeace even approved (cautiously)

  11. The revival • Climate change: alt source of power w/ no GHGs • Political/Econ initiative (particularly Bush W) powered by DOE and EPA’s commitment • Financial incentives provided (almost $20b) • Obama has continued the momentum • Rising public approval (59% favor) • Increasing electricity demand (30% increase) • No recent disasters while increasing nuclear capacity

  12. Nuclear Reactors in US

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