The Migration From Fossil Fuels
Frequent commenter Larry Lemmert writes:
It makes sense to replace some things before they quit working. Computers, light bulbs, water heaters and power plants of all kinds come to mind. At what point should a newer technology replace a functioning older technology? From a business perspective, it is logical to replace old equipment when it is less expensive to amortize the cost of the new technology than to continue to pay to operate the old technology.
The bugaboo that brings out political rants is the hidden costs of air pollution and other environmental degradation brought on by continued use or disposal of the old stuff.
The compromise which is acceptable to many folks is to retrofit, upgrade, or renew older systems to mitigate at least some of the environmental consequences of continued use. Extension of the life cycle benefits the technology investors as well as the rate payers. Everyone wins if level heads prevail.
I think you’ve nailed the basic elements of the discussion in your first two paragraphs; the problem I see is in the last one. I see no way to retrofit existing equipment (e.g., go to clean coal) in a manner that’s cost-effective and environmentally responsible. If we don’t put a price on what we’re doing with respect to generating and consuming energy that provides real incentive to knock off the burning of fossil fuels in favor of renewables (as well as efficiency and conservation), we’re really going nowhere. I like the idea of level heads prevailing (as you put it), but I think we need to confront the truth.
And speaking of the truth, I also see an oil industry that is hell-bent on sucking the last molecule of crude out of the ground and burning it – regardless of what they’re saying. I’m reminded of what Ed Rendell told us at the 2011 Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City. “We can’t (make the changes we need in energy policy) inside the Beltway. The lobbyists are raising campaign money for our senators and representatives in Washington seven days a week. It never stops. It never stops. There are fund-raisers happening literally every night.”
I guess what I’m saying, not to sound cynical, is that it’s fine that Larry and Craig can have a level-headed discussion on what should happen, but to a large extent, it simply doesn’t matter. With a system as corrupt as the one we have, rationality and integrity is on the back burner.
