It’s
about clean energy
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| In the Northeast, the Rocky Mountain Institute reports declining cost for "CEP" (Clean Energy portfolio) versus rising costs for natural gas. |
A report from the
Rocky Mountain Institute foresees a world that, by the year 2035, has wind and
solar energy positively crushing the reigning champ, natural gas.
Touted as a "bridge fuel," advocates of gas—and of the hydraulic fracturing used to extract it—have told us that fracked natural gas, while still a fossil fuel, is measurably cleaner than oil or coal.
Touted as a "bridge fuel," advocates of gas—and of the hydraulic fracturing used to extract it—have told us that fracked natural gas, while still a fossil fuel, is measurably cleaner than oil or coal.
The
reality is that fracking has brought us previously-unheard-of problems with
methane releases, not to mention rampant use of water, sand, and a mix of chemicals
and real estate shenanigans similar to a 19th Century gold
rush.
A
bridge fuel it's not. Fracking has also vaulted the U.S. into the world leadership of oil and gas production,
according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Cheap,
abundant natural gas has largely priced coal and nuclear out of the electricity
market. So, fracking's got that going for it, which is nice.
Nevertheless, the RMI "bridge backward" study, if validated, can move markets and bring investment in new natural gas plants to a halt, and turn the controversial buildout of gas pipelines into a costly bust.
Nevertheless, the RMI "bridge backward" study, if validated, can move markets and bring investment in new natural gas plants to a halt, and turn the controversial buildout of gas pipelines into a costly bust.
Not
that the markets aren't already moving: Another report, released last week by
the UN Environment Programme, charted a quadrupling of clean energy
investment in the past decade. China leads the world in such
investment, with the U.S. a distant second.
When
an idea moves from visionaries, entrepreneurs and advocates to investors, it
has indeed arrived.
Solar
arrays are covering Carolina farmland. After years' worth of delays, offshore
windmills are taking root, or are poised to jump off the drawing boards.
It's
all within reach. If you don't believe me, believe the parting speech of
the most recent Governor of Texas: "You can be proud that Texas produces
more energy from wind turbines than all but five countries."
Well,
that 2015 speech was from Governor Rick Perry. Since he became Trump's obedient
Secretary of Energy, we don't hear such encouraging words. But the wind power
success remains.
Solar isn't far behind, with some of the gaudiest progress happening on the vast roofs of big box stores, of all places.
These
are victories, but they're not even a small fraction of what's needed for
humanity to get a grip on itself. Avoiding a beef burger, taking public
transit, buying a Prius, planting a few trees – these may do as much to assuage
our eco-guilt as they do to fix what's broken.
It's
late in the game. Wind, solar, storage batteries, carbon-free energy and dozens
of other ideas, virtues, policies, and gadgets all need to show up – and soon.
Finally,
we need to run those who deny science and block policy implications out of
office and far from influence. There will be a time to engage them, and a time
to ignore. A time to inform, and a time to ridicule.
We
need it all, and soon. Or maybe right now.