 Electric
power generation by utilities in
the United States take a severe toll on the environment. U.S. power
plants discharge nearly three-quarters of the country's acid rain
emissions (sulfur dioxide), over one-third of its greenhouse-gas
emissions (carbon dioxide), one-third of its smog emissions (nitrogen
oxide), one-third of its particulate matter, half of its nuclear waste,
and one-quarter of its toxic heavy metals.
Curriculum focuses on energy efficiency and renewable energy
solutions to
reduce carbon emissions from the electric and gas utility industry by
advancing on grid transportation .
Renewable energy technologies, such as
wind, geothermal, photovoltaic, and biomass have made major advances in
the past decade. With forward-looking advancements, they could play a larger
role in meeting future U.S. energy needs. Renewable energy costs have
dropped while reliability and performance have improved dramatically.
The cost of wind power, for example, dropped from 25 cents per
kilowatt-hour in 1980 to below 5 cents today. Wind is now competitive
with natural gas and coal power. Increased production would further
reduce costs, creating substantial economic, environmental, and national
security benefits. Wind power is already emerging as an important source
of rural economic development in many parts of the country. The modular
nature of wind power makes it possible for farmers and ranchers to own
wind farms, resulting in energy becoming a form of value-added
agriculture.
Energy-efficient alternatives in this
sector are also particularly compelling. Utility energy efficiency
investments around the country prove that energy can be saved for much
less than the cost of generating that electricity. Efficiency efforts in
California, for example, have cut demand by one-fifth over the last 20
years, avoiding the need for 20 large power plants and saving consumers
billions of dollars. Over time, between one-third and one-half of
current U.S. electricity consumption could be saved through energy
efficiency.
Outside
of the G8 countries, there are virtually no permanent, nationwide self
supporting, market-based system of programs for developing pollution
free environmental projects. As governments and markets around the
world have become more open and global, a new awareness has emerged of
the environmental conditions that impact economic development and
investment.
The foundation will offer a unique combination of
resources and technical assistance in services to support local capacity
building and accelerate environmental projects through the practice of
sound finance. Projects in need of such assistance can benefit greatly
from a variety of tools, structures and financing options developed by
the US Department of Energy and environmentally concerned capital
markets.
Many
factors currently prevent and inhibit aggressive environmental projects
around the world. Collectively environmental related initiatives are a
powerful statement regarding the desire to collaborate with and make
change. Initiatives provide risk protection and incentives for private
investors to participate in rewarding environmental projects. The
existence of quality programs attracts additional investment, engaging
the private sector stimulating both national and international
commercial markets. This may also serve as a catalyst for further
reform, facilitating the development of stronger capital markets as a
progressive method to pursue projects that improve the environment. |
