WASHINGTON, July 21, 2007
So. Utilities, GOP Resist Renewable Energy
Lawmakers, Lobbyists From Coal-Burning States Quash Mandates On Cleaner Energy Sources
-
Southern Co.'s coal-fired Plant Scherer at Juliette, Ga., photographed July 10, 2007, has for several years been the nation's single largest source of carbon dioxide. In 2005, Scherer emitted 26 million tons of CO2, as well as 1,465 lbs. of the neurotoxin mercury, according to Environmental Integrity Project. (AP Photo/Gene Blythe)
-
Interactive Eye On Energy Explore the production and consumption of energy in the U.S. Find out more about energy costs, and the use of fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable energy sources.
-
Interactive Alternative Energy Learn about the types of renewable energy that are used in the U.S. and the regions of the country considered to be most suitable for each kind.
Yet year after year, when Congress tries to push utilities toward cleaner renewable energy, Southern lawmakers balk.
Last month, Republican senators from the South accounted for about half of the opposition to failed legislation that would have required power companies to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Nationally, almost half the states have adopted their own renewable mandates, but only one, Texas, is in the South.
Southern lawmakers — responding to heavy lobbying from local utilities — argue that the region isn't conducive to solar or wind power like the sun-baked Southwest or the open plains of the West.
But many of the nation's leading scientists and environmental advocates say Southern states have plenty of alternative-energy potential. Utilities have simply grown too comfortable with cheap, dirty coal and haven't been forced to change, they say.
"If you look at other regions of the country where renewables have taken off, it's been because of mandates, and that's why you haven't seen it take off in the South," said Nicholas Rigas, director of the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies at Clemson University. "I think once the development starts it will be just as successful as it is in other states. There's no reason why it shouldn't."
The South has long relied on coal for its electricity. Its two largest utilities — Atlanta-based Southern Co., and Charlotte, N.C.,-based Duke Energy Corp. — produce about two-thirds of their power from coal, mostly burned in aging plants have not yet been upgraded with new clean-air technologies.
Southern Co. puts more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other U.S. utility.
Its Scherer plant near Macon, Ga., has for several years been the nation's single largest source of the greenhouse gas, which most scientists believe contributes to global warming. Duke Energy isn't far behind, ranking third in carbon dioxide emissions, while the Tennessee Valley Authority ranks fourth, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Many of the companies' plants also rank among the worst in emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin, and other pollutants that cause smog, respiratory problems and acid rain.
The utilities — among the largest political donors in Washington — have vehemently opposed mandates from Congress. They argue that "one size fits all" standards would drive up Southern utility bills, and urge that the technologies be gradually phased in when the market is ready.
Southern Co., which reported $1.6 billion in 2006 profits, has been particularly aggressive, casting doubt on the existence of global warming even as other utilities acknowledge that it must be addressed.
"If we are irrational about it and we cripple our economy or cripple our industry and we realize carbon dioxide wasn't the source of the problem, then we'll be real regretful," said Chris Hobson, senior vice president for research and environmental affairs at Southern Co., whose subsidiaries include Georgia Power Co. and Alabama Power Co.
But as calls for renewable energy grow, the companies may not be able to fend off new standards for long.
"Coal is the dominant source of global warming pollution," said Michael Shore, who directs Southeastern air quality programs at Environmental Defense. "It is critical that states in the Southeast embrace energy efficiency and renewables if we are to take responsibility for global warming."
The Energy Department reported recently that the Senate proposal that stalled last month would cause utility bills nationally to rise by less than 1 percent more through 2030. That study and others have projected that price increases from renewables would be partially offset by reduced demand for coal and natural gas.
Renewable advocates acknowledge that the South could see slightly higher increases, in part because the region's electricity rates already are among the lowest in the country. But they say the South should be ready to meet modest new mandates.
Renewable technologies are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with traditional sources, including nuclear power, which Southern Co. and other utilities could adopt to meet growing demand.
Many Southern states already produce a small share of their power from hydroelectric dams. Although there is little dispute that the region has relatively low wind speeds, a recent study conducted by Georgia Tech and Southern Co. found there's great promise for offshore wind production in coastal states.
The most potential, however, could be the South's emergence as a national leader in producing energy from timber residue, grasses and agricultural waste. Biomass now accounts for about 1.5 percent of the nation's power — more than solar or wind.
Steven Taylor, chairman of the bioenergy program at Auburn University in Alabama, said Southern states have a track record for producing biomass from the region's vast forests and farmlands.
Although utilities still struggle to efficiently collect and transport the materials, much of the infrastructure is already in place because of the region's strong agriculture and timber industries. And most legislative proposals would allow utilities to "co-fire" biomass at modified conventional plants, eliminating the need for expensive new facilities.
"We're not that far off," Taylor said. "We've got the ability to generate a pretty good proportion of our power or liquid fuel from biomass, and that will continue in the future."
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From Politics
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 29 CommentsThe author of this article continues the confusion so many people have between the words "belief" and "knowlege" thereby projecting an image of science and its practioners as people practicing a faith in rather than the knowledge of science. Most scientists don't "believe" that global warming is affected by greenhouse gases, they "know" it is.
The scientific data support the conclusion that greenhouse gases are contributing to global warming and at an ever accelerating pace. Based on the commanding word of God to be faithful stewards of the world, Southern folks, of all folks, whose fundamental and ecumenical Christian faith and beliefs are such a large part of their culture, should know and believe these scientific and religious truths and demand, in the name of God, that their energy companies scientifically contribute to the solutions to the greenhouse gas problem.
I guess greed will force the coal companies to simply put up more billboards saying "Clean Green Coal Energy" or some kind of bull$hit like that as they strip mine entire mountain ranges.
Of couse Southern Utilities and the GOP Resist Renewable Energy, the're retarded.
what did you expect?
Posted by stevenga777
This is the trendy thing for disenchanted conservatives to say now:
"oh, they're all bad".
Posted by didntinhale at 03:41 PM : Jul 15, 2007
Arguing about an increase in elelctric bills when life on earth will likely have a significant impact if nothing is done, is the epitome of short-sighted, southern ignorance/selfishness. The type of thinking that brought us this failed administration.
Really sad and to have our corrupt liberal press hit the Republicans is just another propaganda lie.
Posted by perception5 at 07:47 AM : Jul 15, 2007
Sparky to you anyone who does not buy into your rediculous rants is no good. The facts are there, they are in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD and are not the responsibility of the FREE Press which you hate so much. You poor fascist are truly embarrassing at the very best. Sieg Heil Y'all. ROFLMAO
In Maryland we finally fought off the rich liberal environmentalists in order to get a "wind generating electricity farm" in Western Maryland. The Enviro's were against it because they said "bats and birds would die if they hit the wind blades.
The reason America doesn't have any engergy is because of the Democrats and their rich "enviro" buddies that have been "blocking" new sources of Oil, Nuclear, and Wind power for DECADES now.
Really sad and to have our corrupt liberal press hit the Republicans is just another propaganda lie.
Posted by jb01201a at 11:56 PM : Jul 14, 2007
----------
Just another faux news moron. Must be wonderful to not have to think- just spout "liberal" as an answer to everything. Fortunately, your type is going the way of the dodo bird- too stupid to even know how to reproduce effectively. That is unless you count f*cking your first cousin as reproduction (as it is defined in the south). Let them yelp. It is the last dying sounds of a useless culture: single-wide trailer trash that actually believes it thinks and is too stupid to get off the tracks when the train is coming. Good riddance. No one will care when you have died off, and no one will miss having to support your sorry low-life inbreeds. Not even worth the cost of a single 9 mil. RIP ROFLMAO
You are a fool, or just a troll looking for action. Maybe both?
.nancy pelosi is a loser for not making the impeachment of bush her first and foremost concern. when cindy sheehan reaches washington dc, she will have my support to run against nancy pelosi.cindy should run for president as we need someone with balls running this country.
Now two stupid comments in one paragraph - pelosi and sheehan. I prove my point, you people on the left are sick and stupid and should be in the hospital as well.
Well, here is a stupid green fool stupid lib remark above - but not surprising. Again, you people on the left are stupid !
Did the Chinese forget to put a lump of coal in your breakfast cereal and top it off with a sprinkle of cyanide this morning? Or did you have a little too much Rush Limpdrug over the past decade and a half?
Business wants to be left alone, why didn't they leave the jobs of sociologists alone instead making the world terribly unsafe by marginalizing studies other than business.
Henry Kissinger interviewed on Charlie Rose said the problem western nations are having is getting their people to sacrifice. Where is he from anyway? It will be a reward to humanity when such evil stones are buried. The mortality of each of us is the justice that befalls humanity. Good on humanity to see the next twenty years of human mortality bury the toads who fill the political seats of today, no pun intended.
You green fools :
a). Don't want nuclear reactors
b). Don't want coal plants
c). Don't want any refineries to make gas
d). Don't want solar panels on homes because humans (are not worthy of using anything from the earth) use too much sun.
e). Don't want windmills because birds might get hurt
Can you see why you people on the left are stupid ! And that is a mild statement !
The article implies that adding a mandate for renewables would only change rates by 1%, but Texas cited as being the only southern state with mandated renewables has electricity rates that are about double those of Alabama. Politicians know that people aren't going to be happy if their electricity rates double just like they weren't happy when the cost of gasoline doubled. Due to the climate, families in the South need more electricity (for AC) and therefore higher rates have a bigger impact on the family budget than many other states.
Politicians also know that when the tourist leave the southern beaches because of the windmill eye pollution people aren't going to be happy about that either. Even Great Lakes States which have enormous potential for wind power, don't take advantage of it for fear of lawsuits from environmental groups.
It%u2019s easy to throw rocks, but what we need is to understand all the issues and try to address them in a way that provides a win-win solution for everyone.
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 29 Comments