April 2010
Let Congress Lead the Energy Debate
by Keven Groenewold
For decades, electric utilities across the country have relied on fossil fuels to do most of the work, burning coal and natural gas to create steam, spin turbines, and generate electricity. While fossil fuels remain the most cost-effective way to create massive amounts of electricity, that may not be the case in the future.
Looming government regulations targeting climate change and carbon dioxide will add to the costs of operating fossil fuel-fired power plants. As the cost of generating electricity increases, the cost to consumers inevitably goes up.
In December 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared that six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, are “endangering public health and welfare” of current and future generations. Emissions from motor vehicles comprise four of those greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which were also said to contribute to air pollution.
The action comes in response to a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Massachusetts v. EPA) that opened the door to regulation of greenhouse gases under the federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The CAA as written was never designed to deal with carbon dioxide, and it could be awkward at best and probably a disaster, at worst.
In addition to potential carbon regulation from EPA, Congress is mulling over its own regulations, and New Mexico electric cooperative members need to continue to ask that any resulting legislation be fair, affordable, and technologically achievable. If passed, Congressional legislation should also preempt use of any other existing laws—like the CAA—in order to avoid a regulatory disaster that would only add to costs for consumers.
Once regulations are in place, whether under the CAA or from Congress, electric cooperatives will be faced with the daunting task of meeting our nation’s growing electricity demands, while finding cleaner ways to burn fossil fuels. Since coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels currently account for more than 70 percent of all electricity generated in the United States, new technology will be vital to keeping 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.
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has recently joined with the Electric Power Research Institute to host a study that will convert the Escalante Generating Station in Prewitt, New Mexico, into a “hybrid plant.”
The plant will utilize solar thermal technology—using mirrors to reflect sunlight to heat a liquid and create steam—to scale back the burning of coal when possible. The hybrid plant will work like this: on a hot summer afternoon, when the sun is scorching, air conditioners are on full blast, and electricity demand peaking, solar generation will switch on so less coal is burned. When the sun goes down and the flow of solar power begins to drop, the coal generation side of the plant steps up to keep electrons flowing. In this way, plant operators will be able to scale back carbon dioxide emissions and use less fuel.
Let’s keep reminding our elected officials that there is a right way and a wrong way to move this energy debate forward. And having Congress take the lead is preferable.
You will find in this month's edition of enchantment, prepaid postcards to send your members of Congress a message. Let them know you appreciate their leadership.