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The Environmental Imperative for Renewable Energy: An Update A Message from the Staff of the
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Environmental questions have sometimes hindered consumer acceptance of renewables. For instance, the National Audubon Society has opposed wind turbines for their impact on birds. Some people question the effect of heavy metals in solar panels. Others wonder whether geothermal plants could damage protected areas. These concerns help make renewables as environmentally friendly as possible. But they can also obscure a more essential truth: while ALL energy sources affect the environment, renewables impose lighter damages than conventional alternatives. Most important, rejecting renewable energy without cutting energy use equates implicit support of coal, nuclear and other harmful sources of power. In many states, Americans can now buy electricity generated from renewable energy, much as they choose organic food, dolphin-safe tuna, and energy-efficient washing machines. As a result, Americans have a new opportunity for "direct action" in support of clean power. Slowly but surely, in parallel with continuing support for sound environmental policy, latent interest in renewables will blossom into more renewable energy installations. And people in states with open electricity markets are buying renewable energy. In Pennsylvania, almost 70,000 customers have chosen renewables-based "green power." In California, 1.4% of all customers (and 20% of industrial customers) have done so, despite an electricity market that is essentially rigged in favor of the big, incumbent utilities. Will voluntary purchases ensure that renewables substantially improve the environment? That is not clear. The higher cost of renewable energy does not help. But the market is booming for SUVs with $10,000 profit margins; clearly, many Americans could afford more renewable energy. With these facts in hand, electric consumers reviewing their choices must ask themselves: "If I don't buy green, what am I buying?" As this report shows, failing to buy green means choosing energy that has a greater effect on air, land and water, and which affects the health of humans, plants and animals. And because low-income and minority communities suffer the most from the harm caused by conventional energy, failing to take responsibility for one's energy choices by supporting clean power creates great social injustice as well. The relative environmental impacts of different fuels must now matter even more - not just in the lobbies of the public utility commission and legislature, but in every living room where consumers scan their monthly electric bills. And, because sound choices requires good information, we need to better understand our electricity system's impact on the environment. We hope that the following report will help further understanding of the environmental imperative for renewable energy.
Virinder Singh, Research Manager
March 31, 2000
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The Environmental Imperative for |
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