The Loma Prietan
December 2000/January 2001
Sierra Club energy policy and global warming tips
by Kurt Newick
Increased energy consumption from the unnecessary expansion of fossil fuel use and the unchecked growth of greenhouse gas emissions is wreaking havoc on planetary ecosystems and magnifying global warming. For instance, the destruction of sensitive coral reefs is accelerating due to rising ocean temperatures, arctic ice floes are melting which directly affects the polar bear’s ability to hunt for seals. Tropical rain forest temperature changes are causing species that live at lower elevation levels to migrate to higher, cooler niches thus competing for food and nesting sites with species that are inhabiting these areas.
The Sierra Club’s top three energy related policies to help address this problem are: conserve energy, expand the supply of renewables and increase energy efficiency (in this order).
Conserving energy is the best way to limit pollution caused by electricity generation just like reducing consumption of material goods is the best way to reduce garbage. By avoiding the need to generate electricity you eliminate the cause of pollution from this source. This is why the Sierra Club has chosen energy conservation as a top priority for reducing pollution caused by creating electricity.
Expanding renewable energy supply (via wind, solar, biomass, etc.) after reducing energy use as much as practical is the second tier of the Sierra Club’s energy policy. Eventually renewable energy will displace fossil fuel use as the primary source of electricity. However, there are environmental disadvantages to renewables. For example, wind plants take up lots of space, typically require long transmission lines and do not work when the wind is not blowing. Rooftop photovoltaic solar modules are efficient with very low transmission losses, but only work when the sun is shining and require a high initial capital investment.
Increasing energy efficiency from existing fossil fuel sources is the third prong of the Sierra Club’s energy priorities. Once the first two tiers have been tapped as much as practical (conservation and renewables), the next stage is to use advanced technologies to squeeze as much electricity as possible out of each unit of fuel consumed. Of the three fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas, the latter releases the least amount of carbon dioxide and criterion air pollutants when burned and thus is preferred. Modern, combined cycle, natural gas power plants, such as the proposed Metcalf Energy Center (MEC) planned to be built in South San Jose, are an enormous improvement over older plants now in operation in terms of increased energy efficiency and reduced air pollutants. For example, nitrous oxides are tightly controlled by MEC thus reducing tropospheric ozone formation, which in turn slows global warming compared to older, currently running power plants. The Sierra Club also supports energy generation close to energy use. Energy transmission losses can be up to 20 percent for electricity that is transported long distances, such as the power coming into the San Francisco Bay Area from out-of-state coal fired power plants. To reduce CO2 emissions it is necessary to scrap older coal and oil burning facilities and replace them with modern natural gas fired power plants when dealing with this third rung of energy policy.
What practical steps can individuals and society take to help achieve Sierra Club energy policy objectives in order minimize energy use from harmful sources?
• Gradually raise taxes on fossil fuels and reduce income taxes proportionally. In other words "tax bads, not goods." This solution cannot be overstated and provides permanent, long term financial incentive to reduce fossil fuel use!
• Increase fuel economy standards for new cars and light trucks.
• Motorists must seriously consider their contribution to pollution via personal transportation options, as driving a car is the single most polluting activity most people do on a daily basis. Bicycling and walking are low polluting and healthy transportation alternatives that must be maximized. When choosing to drive a car opt for the most fuel efficient vehicle available. As electric vehicles become available over the next few years it is critical to acquire them for local use and reduce gas car usage. The California Air Resources Board upheld the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate in a unanimous vote in September of this year, requiring the large car makers to market cars that do not pollute by 2003. Additionally a $9,000 buy-down incentive has been passed by the California legislature to reduce prices for electric vehicles.
• Airline travelers must reduce trips to a minimum in order to curb this fast growing source of atmospheric contamination.
• To make mass transit affordable and usable, high density housing can be built along transit corridors, thus protecting open space from sprawl development, while simultaneously increasing housing supply.
• Switch to green electricity providers. This painless action sends a strong message to energy providers and promotes
renewable energy production.
• Scrap currently running coal power plants and replace them with renewables and efficient natural gas plants.
• Install solar roof top systems. The California Energy Commission currently has a $3,000 per kilowatt financial buy-down incentive for photovoltaic solar electric modules installed on homes or businesses.
• Expand methane burning electricity power plants at land fill sites. This is important as methane is a potent global warming gas that can be controlled by burning it.
• Insulate and weatherize homes.
• When buying appliances seek out products that have "energy star" labels.
• Replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs. The new types of fluorescents provide a pleasing glow.
• Replace old refrigerators with newer, efficient models with "energy star" labels.
• Upgrade windows to low-e, multipane units for optimal efficiency.
• Join the Loma Prieta Chapter’s Global Warming Committee by contacting Kurt Newick at (408) 370-9636.
Kurt Newick is the Global Warming Committee Chairman of the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club.