U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions

U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions

March 10, 2010

The battle over carbon dioxide emissions continues to rage throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world.  The environmentalists claim that unless we change our energy-rich life style, the world as we know it will cease to exist.  The companies with large CO2 emissions continue to refute climate warming and green house gases and claim there is no scientific proof that CO2 emissions are harmless to the environment.

In 2008 the U.S. emitted 5,833 million metric tons of CO2.   Per capita, that’s 19.2 metric tons, which happens to be over three times the world average.  Status quo is not sustainable.

What to do?  A consensus from energy experts from the U.S. and elsewhere generally looks like this:

1. No new coal-fired plants anywhere in the world using existing technology.   Not only the U.S. but in India and China especially who will need 40 to 50 new  generation plants just to keep up with their exploding economies.  Global cooperation with researchers, investors and technologies will be needed to create, test and implement new fourth generation technology that can burn coal and generate few (if any) pollutants.
2. Invest in new technology over time to eliminate a significant portion of all pollution (air, water, mercury, etc.) emissions from the burning of coal.  Consider CO2 sequestration, carbon cap and trade, and any other yet to be discovered technologies.  Establish at least one clean coal production facility in the U.S. by 2015 (FutureGen or not).  Use the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding as appropriate.  Encourage private and public investors alike.  Divert subsides and incentives from mature energy sources that are not in sync with this plan, such as big oil and ethanol.  Evaluate all reasonable solutions.  Some will work and some won’t.
3. Promulgate this new clean coal technology around the world. Work with Vattenberg and their Brandenburg, Germany, plant to leverage CSS technology.  Actively partner with Norway and the development of their CSS projects.  Export new technology to rapidly developing countries.  This creates new jobs, improves the environment and solves a major energy issue in the shortest possible time.  It won’t be easy.  We all will have to change.
4. The Department of Energy will be the overriding body to direct and coordinate meaningful activities and measure/report progress.  Dr. Chu says he and his team can handle the job and avoid the pitfalls for the political side of the Washington DC .  Include FERC/ NERC/DOI and state regulatory factions as necessary.  Secretary Chu has already announced his support for large scale plans like this to test a number of new and innovative solutions.  A number of coal industry lobbyists and professional organizations have also announced their support for this diverse plan.

 

Summary  

All of us can use this energy crisis to improve our lifestyle.  As difficult as it is for us to trade our SUV in for a more economical mode of transportation, we can use this as an incentive to mount a nationwide campaign to eliminate our energy crisis, improve our environment and recover our economy.

America, our go forward position must:

• Maximize existing energy resources, e.g. oil, clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro and geothermal
• Promulgate conservation and energy efficiency broadly
• Develop cost effective alternative energy sources, e.g. solar, wind, biofuels, ocean, etc.
• Reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
• Drastically reduce carbon emissions.

                All of us-Grandpa and Grandma, sister, brother, daughter, son and their respective families-must            become proactive in our energy consumption.  Even though the U.S. has about 4 percent of the                world’s population, we use approx. 25 percent of the world’s energy.  Status quo is                unsustainable.  All U.S. consumers must alter their energy-rich appetites and begin to improve        the environment, support our economic recovery and return our country back to the America       we have known in the past.  We deserve better and so do our children and grandchildren.