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Cheney Pro-Supply Energy Forecast
Contradicted by Energy Department Study, says
NRDC
Study shows energy efficiency and renewable
power can meet 60 percent of new power needs projected by vice
president
WASHINGTON (May 3, 2001) - Energy efficiency and renewable
power, largely dismissed by Vice President Cheney in a recent
speech, can meet 60 percent of the nation's needs for new
electric power plants over the next 20 years, according to
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). NRDC based its
calculation on the conclusions of a November 2000 Department
of Energy report that the Bush administration has completely
ignored.
In his April 30 speech, Cheney said the United States needs
to build 1,300 electric power plants (averaging 300 megawatts)
between now and 2020, which would amount to "more than one new
plant per week." At the same time, he downplayed the potential
for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, suggesting
that conservation is just "a sign of personal virtue" and that
relying on renewable energy sources would threaten "our way of
life."
However, the November Energy Department report, "Scenarios
for a Clean Energy Future," concluded that energy efficiency
measures could avoid the need for building approximately 610
of the new power plants Cheney calls for, and that renewable
power capacity (wind, geothermal, biomass and others) could
expand by the equivalent of about 180 new plants. The report
did anticipate building 570 new high-efficiency,
natural-gas-fired plants, but those would replace older,
dirtier and less-efficient plants. The report, which was
written by experts at 11 Energy Department facilities, is
available at www.ornl.gov/ORNL/Energy_Eff/CEF.htm.
How did the vice president arrive at his 1,300 power plant
prediction? Cheney and other Bush administration officials
base their forecast on projections by the Energy Information
Administration (EIA), an arm of the Energy Department that has
historically emphasized energy supply from traditional sources
and downplayed the potential of energy efficiency and
renewable energy. The EIA projects that demand for electricity
will increase by 320,000 megawatts over the next 20 years, and
that the United States will have to replace existing plants
that generate another 70,000 megawatts. Assuming an average
power plant size of 300 megawatts, Bush administration
officials calculate we need 1,300 new power plants, fueled
mostly by coal and natural gas.
"The Bush-Cheney energy plan is the 'more pollution
solution,' " said Daniel Lashof, an NRDC senior scientist and
coauthor of "A Responsible Energy Policy for the 21st
Century," a comprehensive energy plan published by NRDC
earlier this year (go to www.nrdc.org for the report). "It
would mean higher profits for the oil and coal companies that
funded President Bush's campaign; and higher energy prices,
more smog and more carbon dioxide -- the main cause of global
warming -- for the rest of us."
The Energy Department's "Clean Energy Future" report "shows
that the nation has another choice -- one that emphasizes
increasing the efficiency of our homes, factories and office
buildings, and the appliances, heating and cooling equipment,
and other machines inside them," said David Doniger, NRDC's
global warming policy director. A responsible energy policy
would:
- Limit the major pollutants from power plants, including
carbon dioxide (which George W. Bush endorsed as a candidate
but has rejected as president);
- Establish stronger efficiency standards for appliances
and buildings (President Bush is trying to weaken the
efficiency standards for air conditioners issued by the
Clinton administration);
- Establish a fund to increase energy efficiency
investments by utilities and other energy service companies,
supported by a charge on electricity transmission;
- Establish a "renewable portfolio standard" requiring a
certain percentage of electricity to come from renewable
sources;
- Create tax incentives to expand the market for
high-efficiency technologies and renewable generation;
and
- Increase funding for energy efficiency and renewable
energy research and development. (President Bush has
proposed dramatic reductions in these programs in his
current budget).
Contrary to Cheney's claim, this clean and efficient energy
path would not require Americans to make sacrifices, said Dr.
Lashof. In fact, it would significantly enhance their lives.
Americans would save more than $30 billion per year on their
electric bills. Power plant emissions that cause smog and
dangerous fine particles would decline by more than half of
current levels. And power plant emissions of carbon dioxide
would be cut by one third from today's levels.
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a
national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and
environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public
health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more
than 400,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New
York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Related NRDC Pages
A
Responsible Energy Policy for the 21st Century