The Empire Page

In deciding to permit or forbid natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier, state officials must carefully consider whether the economic and tax benefits are a stumbling block to New York’s goal of being a national leader in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating a green energy economy.

New York is not alone in grappling with a decision to authorize fossil fuel drilling projects. Florida and Virginia are currently considering offshore natural gas drilling. In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to revive a proposal to allow increased oil drilling off Santa Barbara’s coast in the hope that royalties would help towards closing the state’s massive budget deficit.

Although natural gas does not have the same adverse affects on air quality as other fossil fuels such as coal and oil, it is still a significant source of atmospheric CO2.

Most reasonable adults understand that fossil fuels are having a perilous impact on our planet. Still, the U.S. - the world’s largest energy consumer - can’t seem to break its dependence. The lure of cheap energy and increased tax revenues is holding back the process of transforming to cleaner sources of energy that may, in turn, stimulate economic growth during a time of economic malaise.

It would be understandable for us to continue our dependence on oil, coal and natural gas if cleaner more efficient means of meeting our long-term energy demands didn’t already exist.

A recent study published in Scientific American found that the world’s energy needs could be met by the concerted, global installation of wind, water and solar technologies. Researchers Mark Jacobson of Stanford University and Mark Delucchi of the University of California-Davis estimate that by 2030, mankind’s energy needs could be achieved through the installation of among other renewable technologies:

·      490,000 tidal turbines;

·      5,390 geothermal and 900 hydroelectric plants;

·      3,800,000 wind turbines;

·      1.7 billion photovoltaic systems; and

·      49,000 concentrated solar power and 40,000 photovoltaic power plants.

The numbers are daunting at first glance. Still, as ambitious as the model may be, the authors note that the U.S. mobilized for the massive manufacture of aircraft and heavy weaponry in World War II and a decade later undertook the creation of our 47,000-mile Interstate Highway System. According to figures from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, 70 million cars and commercial vehicles were produced in the year in 2008 alone - hardly an indication of a lack of international industrial capability.

If we are to believe U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, atmospheric CO2 levels will surpass 450 parts per million, the theoretical critical mass after which irreversible climate damage will occur. The effects will be felt throughout the world – even along the shorelines and in the agricultural regions of the Empire State.

Nobody urging the large-scale installation of Wind-Water-Solar systems should believe that such an undertaking would be easy or cheap. It will require a tremendous amount of money (trillions of dollars), resources (some scarce), research, technological innovation and perhaps most importantly, political will.

During his State of the Union speech last month, President Obama unfortunately emphasized the need to increase oil and natural gas drilling while promoting “clean coal”. His energy initiative appeared to be a concession to political opponents supported heavily by fossil fuel industries.

Nevertheless, all levels of government must begin the transition away from fossil fuels by encouraging consumers, residents and businesses to make long-term investments in renewable systems that can stimulate their growth into a leading source of energy.

Several European countries including Germany and Denmark and some states have encouraged the expansion of clean energy by mandating that utility companies purchase electricity produced by renewable sources. In 2008, New York passed a law allowing businesses, municipalities and non-profits to sell utilities excess energy produced by wind, solar and fuel cell sources they install on their properties. Last November, the state approved legislation permitting municipalities to issue loans to homeowners and businesses that install energy retrofits and renewable energy technologies. Known as the Property Assessed Clean Energy program, these loans are paid back over a longer period than traditional loans and are added to an annual property tax bill. This is an important incentive for property owners to make a switch.

In the years to come the cost of fossil fuels will extensively increase. In order to stimulate economic growth and mitigate the destructive impact of global warming, we must be ready to begin the heavy lifting and ingenuity required to move in a new, sustainable direction on energy.

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Paul Esmond lives in Albany.