587 item(s) were returned.
[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] The use of cheap electricity in the development of the U.S. economy is a critical part of what has helped create the American dream. We should not underestimate the importance of the use of energy to the American economy and on the American innovation and way of life. This is not an endorsement to waste. It is a warning against Malthusian approaches. Changing our way of life can have many… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] The U.S. electrical grid is 50-80 years old. It is based on old technology and the infrastructure is old. It does not meet the needs of our modern energy use: It is the single largest source of wasted energy – improvement to the grid could easily save 20% of electricity. We need better design and additional transmission lines. There are many “waste areas”. Correcting the major ones can save 10%… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Fusion is the holy grail of electricity generation. When the technology is available it will become the main workhorse of electricity generation, especially if the costs per KW are very low. It will most likely replace existing GHG emitting power stations (coal and natural gas), and may make other renewable solutions obsolete. If the cost of electricity becomes very low it may create a paradigm shift in our use of… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Wind energy is a good renewable solution for parts of the nation. The challenge with wind is accommodating its variability and uncertainty. It means that using the current technology, wind must work in conjunction with natural gas powered plants that could be started quickly to fill production gaps. It increases the capital costs of the electrical utilities. We have good wind conditions only in parts of the country (like the… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Solar energy is currently a good renewable solution for peak usage period (which are usually the hottest hours of the day). The policy should focus on: Extend the federal incentives for the next 10-15 years. The current short term regulation creates instability for the investors and slows down the development of solar solutions. Incentives should be technology neutral. Investors need stability and predictability. The current renew/don’t renew political episodes every… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] We should expand drilling for natural gas in areas where it can be transported via a pipeline to the US. The primary uses of natural gas should be reserved to: Electricity generation — cleaner and reduced GHG compared to today’s coal. It is also the best solution for peak demand. The most important role of natural gas in the U.S. energy policy is to offset instabilities in power generation by… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Geothermal has the potential to provide the most economical and cleanest form of energy with the smallest environmental impact. It is worthy of much more attention and government support since it is the only renewable resource that can be used for 24/7 base load production. Geothermal needs to come to the forefront. Government policy should encourage its use wherever possible. The U.S. is a world leader in geothermal electricity. We… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] It is the cleanest of all available and proven technologies that can grow rapidly. We have to grow the stable supply base, not just grow the renewables. It is our safest bet for independence, reliability and fighting global warming. Nuclear “enjoys” unjustifiable bad public opinion. That’s where leadership is needed to shift public opinion. Build more nuclear power stations: Step 1 — Double the capacity of existing nuclear stations by… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Coal is the main workhorse of electricity generation (49%). It is still the cheapest and is expected to stay so for the foreseeable future. It is also a national resource (we are the “Saudi Arabia of coal”). It is also one of the most polluting and one of the greatest emitters of GHG. There is no way to meet our electricity demands in the next 40-50 years without coal. It… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] US electricity generation should be based on the following sources: Hydroelectric — part of the stable supply base — not expected to grow. Large hydro capacity may shrink due to reservoir siltation, water shortages, and dam removal. Coal — part of the stable supply base — is domestically abundant. Currently, the cheapest but most carbon intensive solution. Growth rate depends on friendlier GHG technologies (like IGCC and CCS). The main… [more]
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