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A Climate of Change
Now that the die is cast for the talks in Copenhagen, and the Senate is focused on health care reform, we have a short time out on climate change legislation. Let’s hope that gives everyone a chance to think about how to craft a climate program that can really work.
Among other things, I would like to see the energy and climate legislation include provisions to ensure that energy efficiency standards for appliances and homes will really improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and not be counterproductive window dressing.
To be effective, we need to measure energy efficiency and carbon footprint on a life cycle “source energy” basis. This is the approach recommended by the National Academy of Sciences report and supported by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in its joint statement with AGA.
They agree that it makes no sense to burn natural gas at a power station to serve consumer needs that can be served more efficiently through “direct use” – i.e. by burning the natural gas directly in the home in efficient natural gas furnaces and water heaters.
You have to combust two to three times more natural gas (!) – and emit two to three times more carbon dioxide – to deliver the same number of hot showers and warm homes in electric resistance appliances. And that does not even take into account the emissions resulting from electric appliances served by coal-fired power plants. Source energy is an idea whose time has come.
Want to know more? See my article “A Climate of Change” in this month’s American Gas magazine.
Look who won an EPA Natural Gas STAR Award
I’d like to send out a quick “congratulations” to our member companies for their recent recognition as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Natural Gas STAR Award winners. They’re featured in the Winter 2008 Issue of the EPA’s Partner Update. Great job to all those on the list. Here’s a quick cut and paste with some background.
Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison) – “Distribution Partner of the Year” award. Con Edison joined the Natural Gas STAR program in 1993 and has consistently reported voluntary methane emission reduction activities each year since joining. The company has reported some of the highest emissions reductions of any natural gas distribution company through the implementation of new and innovative technologies and practices. Con Edison has continued to be an active partner with the program and has been sharing information on methane emission reduction projects such as the Cast Iron Joint Sealing Robot that has been featured by the EPA.
Laclede Gas Company (Laclede) – “Rookie of the Year” award. Laclede joined the Natural Gas STAR program in 2007, and since that time has participated in the Annual Workshop and engaged the program early on to begin discussing methane emission reduction project ideas. Laclede submitted its first annual report in 2008 outlining its emission reduction activities, including a successful Damage Prevention Program which was featured in the Summer 2008 Partner Update. In addition, to submitting emission reductions for 2007, Laclede also reported its historical emission reduction data back to 1993. To gain support for their Program, their Implementation Manager works closely with colleagues in other departments to draw the link between emissions reduction and operation activities.
ONEOK Partners – “Gathering and Processing Partner of the Year” award. ONEOK Partners joined the Natural Gas STAR Program in 2000 and recently reinvigorated its Program efforts – substantially increasing methane emission reductions. ONEOK has promoted education of employees on methane and greenhouse gas emissions through their corporate website and in company newsletters. They also share information about their participation in the Natural Gas STAR Program as part of corporate trainings at each of their subsidiaries. Three ONEOK subsidiary distribution companies recently joined Natural Gas STAR in 2007, expanding the company’s overall participation.
El Paso Pipeline Group (El Paso) – “Transmission Partner of the Year” award. El Paso joined the Natural Gas STAR program in 1996 and since that time has reported the implementation of a variety of technologies and practices. For 2007, El Paso reported the highest new reductions of any partner in the transmission sector. El Paso has been a consistent supporter of the Natural Gas STAR Program advancing leak detection technologies, participating in workshops and providing detailed information on their impressive emission reduction activities to support the Program’s technology transfer efforts.
Other AGA member company award winners were: Puget Sound Energy – 5 Year participation in the Natural Gas STAR Program; Atmos Energy – 7 Year participation in the Natural Gas STAR Program; Iroquois Gas Transmission and PECO Energy Company – 12 Year participation in the Natural Gas STAR Program.
Energy Production and the Environment: When will the debate move to the 21st century?
Recently, I was riding home to Northern Virginia on the Washington, DC Metrorail and stood across from a poster, which was obviously designed to sway public opinion away from including domestic oil and gas drilling in our national energy policy. The poster said “No, to oil and gas drilling” and included a large image of a man holding an oil covered bird in his hands. When is this going to stop?
When is the discussion of the footprint associated with oil and natural gas development, pipeline infrastructure or any energy-related facility for that matter, going to be conducted within the context of 21st century technology? Without doubt energy production in the U.S. carries with it a footprint and a history not always exemplary with respect to environmental stewardship. However, today’s petroleum industry includes multi-well development from single pads, includes zero-discharge offshore facilities, includes underwater reef building associated with production platforms and pipeline construction and an additional list of surface remediation strategies as long as your arm. Is no credit offered to the engineering and investment in these elements of our energy industry because they go largely unseen? Every source of energy today, whether it be renewable, traditional or even still in the eye of a thoughtful beholder has a footprint.
Would it be asking too much to conduct the debate on our national energy future and climate change policy on a level playing field using a refreshed, current view of energy development technology? In my view that time has come.
True Blue Natural Gas Blog from the American Gas Association (AGA)- Natural gas is ahead of the curve
- Spectra Energy receives the 2009 Natural Gas Video Award
- Natural Gas Market Indicators
- Sen. Murkowski, Energy Leaders Point to Natural Gas as Large Piece of the Climate Change Puzzle
- Diversification of natural gas supply is an essential consumer protection
- From Austin to Boston in a natural gas vehicle
- Natural gas, how about zero carbon emissions
- The real natural gas message in a climate crunch
- Let’s work together to protect our seniors
- Natural Gas Market Indicators
