Sneaky Math on Energy Options
About the Author
Justine Burt is the Chief Green Officer for Greenwala.com, a green social networking site that is helping tip the green movement over into the mainstream. Ms. Burt has 18 years of professional experience doing sustainability management planning work at NASA Ames Research Center, waste reduction technical assistance for StopWaste.Org in Alameda County, and environmental regulatory assistance work at a state environmental agency. Ms. Burt has a M.A. in Environmental Policy from Tufts University and a B.A in Economics from Lafayette College.
About This Video
I explain how renewable energy is at a financial disadvantage because of all the federal government subsidies coal, oil and nuclear receive. Plus, many environmental and social costs of coal, oil and nuclear are also not included in the costs usually quoted for each energy option. Once we start including all these costs when discussing future energy options, renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal and small-scale hydro will seem much more financially attractive.
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3 comments for "Sneaky Math on Energy Options".
1. Cost Reduction Incentives
When will the power utilities be pressured to reduce costs like all other industries? They continue to use 40 year old designs when there are upgrades available that are safer, easier and CHEAPER! They simply trot over to the Public Utilities Commission office and request a rate increase because their costs have increased. I have been trying for months to get some traction to review design updates and get the same response, "don't have time to review anything new"...
2. Who is doing full cost accounting?
I agree that we need to do full cost accounting for all energy sources to get an understanding of the cradle to grave costs. We can't say yes or no to anything until this happens.
3. I wasn't aware of the
I wasn't aware of the subsidies to the coal, oil, and nuclear fuel industries. We should definitely be shifting such subsidies to the renewable energy sector since that's the path to our real future in economic growth and development. I appreciate your information and perspective.