BLOG ENTRY: The President’s Plan
BLOG ENTRY: The President’s Climate Plan
Cutting Carbon Emissions from Power Plants
The EPA’s movement forward to limit carbon emissions from power plants has caused the greatest controversy of the president’s plan. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that the EPA actually has an obligation to protect the public’s health and limit carbon emissions in some form, backlash has continued to be strong (especially from coal supporters).
Analyzing the carbon data coming from the US, it’s absolutely essential that we take the lead in limiting carbon emissions. A huge portion from our carbon output is from power plants. If we want to tackle this problem, how is it possible to do so without targeting one of the largest sources of emissions? The graph above shows that progress is slowly being made, but there is still a significant amount of work to be done.
As stated in the class text, attempts to limit carbon emissions from things like airplanes are fruitless if we are to ignore the glaring problem of inefficient electricity production. Furthermore, American coal and natural gas plants have the technology available to vastly improve carbon output levels. There needs to be a cost incentive for these plant operators to make available upgrades, and harsher penalties from the EPA is a step in the right direction. The pie chart above underscores the importance of electric power generation being an area where we see improvements. EPA action would allow us to move forward.
Increasing Car Efficiency Standards
The Obama administration should be applauded for taking the lead with reducing carbon emissions from vehicles, while concurrently boosting efficiency significantly. With an aim of having 54.5 MPG efficiency for passenger cars by 2025, the US has restored itself as a role model for the international community in regards to protecting the environment (in the area of transportation).
The increase in fuel standards (shown in the above graph) is expected to reduce emissions by the amount that the country emits in one year in total. This is a significant improvement over the status-quo, and underscores the ability for targeted measures to also be effective measures. Big legislation may accomplish more, but executive action can still be put to use in protecting the environment.
Following the announcement of US measures, China and India have also announced action to increase fuel standards to levels comparable to America’s 2025 goal. This highlights the ability for the global community to come together and address an energy and climate crisis in an effective manner.
Boosting Investment in Renewable Energy
The US has had serious problems with investing consistently in renewable energy. Obama’s plan to streamline permitting and continue basic investment into these forms of energy is a promising start. However, a broader plan should be put into place to ensure that the wind and solar sectors are not subject to the pressures of partisan politics. It’s embarrassing that China is showing off more elaborate solar and wind projects than the US, when the US has already long transitioned into a service economy and has more flexibility to promote such fuel usage. The graph below shows the positive development of continued government support of wind power.
With that stated, and as pointed out in the class text, it’s important that our energy policy also promote efficiency improvements. This would mean a continued investment in natural gas as a replacement to coal, and more research into carbon capture technologies. An all-the-above solution is more viable for achieving energy needs while also reducing carbon emissions.
The US has made some great strides in the past 4 years to restore its standing as a leader when it comes to environmental issues. While our climate policy is still in-flux, the drop in carbon emissions in recent years should provide hope that we can still meet this challenge.
References:
1) http://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change
4) http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/ghg/us-ghg-emissions.html
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