We’ve heard a lot in this election campaign about energy policy—believe it or not, we’ve probably heard more than ever before—unfortunately most of the energy debate has not been particularly illuminating nor has it provided much guidance for our future energy policies.
What we’ve heard a lot of is the notion of "all of the above" when it comes to energy policy, meaning that the U.S. should pursue every possible avenue of energy production, regardless of its impact on the US environment and the planet.
All of the Above equals no energy policy at all
We’ve heard a lot in this election campaign about energy policy—believe it or not, we’ve probably heard more than ever before—unfortunately most of the energy debate has not been particularly illuminating nor has it provided much guidance for our future energy policies.
What we’ve heard a lot of is the notion of "all of the above" when it comes to energy policy, meaning that the U.S. should pursue every possible avenue of energy production, regardless of its impact on the US environment and the planet.
I’m not an ideologue—if "all of the above" might work, I might go for it. The problem is that "all of the above" is inherently a stupid idea, one that can never work, one that would set us further back on climate, on energy independence, on gas prices, on basically any measure one can conjure.
"All of the above" would mean dividing our resources among all our energy resources, regardless of their capability of meeting our future energy needs. The problem is, we don’t have unlimited resources to promote every possible energy technology.
We need to put our resources where they will be most effective, where they will meet our energy needs while also addressing the climate crisis.
The government’s proper role in energy policy is to either stay out of the playing field entirely, or to tilt it in one direction or another. This government has done neither. Many, including me at times, have argued that the government should let the market decide. That is not foolproof either and in reality, the market already has decided. But the market can’t project nor fund future energy technologies; that’s not its role; that is the role of a sound government that believes in a sustainable future. Unfortunately, we haven’t had a government like that in many years.....
Meanwhile, the market is funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into solar, wind, and energy efficiency projects. And the market is funneling absolutely nothing into nuclear power.
The market won’t put up any money for nuclear power. Says veteran Wall Street analyst Dan Scotto: "I wouldn’t want to own any of those heavy nuclear utilities." Scotto adds that nuclear utilities can forget about taxpayer funded loan guarantees and any other federal subsidies for nuclear power for at least the next few years because of the current financial crisis.
But within the next few years, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy will be as cost-effective as nuclear power, and will surpass nuclear power sometime early in the next decade. Wind power and energy efficiency measures already are cheaper than nuclear power.
Where does that leave us? On the cusp of a brilliant new energy future, one the provides green jobs at about ten times the level of new nuclear reactors, while ultimately providing electricity at a competitive, and probably cheaper rate.
I’m non-partisan, so I’m not going to recommend anything. But I will recommend that you look at the energy policies of each candidate, major and minor, and decide for yourself who, if any, deserves your support. Government help will bring a 21st century energy future faster and cheaper.
"All of the above" is the last gasp of the 20th century energy mentality. It is no longer needed nor desirable. We’re smart enough and tech-savvy enough to avoid such condescending energy platitudes. Distributed grids, solar and wind power, energy efficiency—these are our technologies—the technologies of the 21st century. They are how we get from our current carbon/radioactive mess to a sustainable energy future.
Our imperative, as a species, as humans, as people on this planet, is to move as quickly as possible to a nuclear-free, carbon-free energy future. We can get there, sooner rather than later, if only we all work together.
Contact nirsnet@nirs.org, www.nirs.org for more information.