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EIA: U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Increased 1.6% in 2007
A growing U.S. economy, less-moderate weather conditions, and a drop in hydropower production pushed up U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy use by 1.6% in 2007, according to preliminary estimates by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The agency notes that the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.2% in 2007, while more energy was needed for both heating and cooling relative to 2006. In addition, electricity generation increased by 2.5%, and carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector increased even more, at 3%, indicating that U.S. utilities shifted towards energy sources that emitted more carbon. That shift was partially caused by a 40 billion kilowatt-hour decrease in hydropower production, causing a greater reliance on natural gas and coal. Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants fueled with natural gas increased by 10.5%, while coal-burning power plants increased their emissions by 1.8%. See the EIA's "flash estimate" (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/flash/flash.html) of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
Juneau, Alaska, Cuts Electricity Use Drastically During Crisis
Juneau, Alaska, has garnered national attention for its response to an electricity crisis that drove utility bills through the roof. On April 16, a series of avalanches damaged and destroyed the transmission towers along a mile-and-a-half stretch of the line that delivers hydropower to the city. As a result, Juneau had to supply all of its power from diesel generators, despite record-high prices for diesel fuel.
Diesel fuel consumption rapidly shot above 80,000 gallons per day, but once residents found out that electricity rates would increase from about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour to 52.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, the city rapidly pursued ways to save energy. As a result, the city's peak power usage dropped from about 50 megawatts before the avalanches to below 30 megawatts by late May. Total electricity usage dropped from about 1,000 megawatt-hours per day before the crisis to roughly 600 megawatt-hours per day in late May, a 40% drop. For the last week in May, the city's diesel fuel use averaged only about 35,000 gallons of diesel fuel per day.
The power crisis is now solved, as Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (AELP) announced that the hydroelectric transmission line has been restored. However, the high emergency rates will remain in effect until the next billing cycle, so the city still needs to conserve electricity.
Administration Releases Climate Change Report
A new summary of federal and independent research on the impacts of global warming on the United States was released by the White House. The report features new projections on climate change’s health impacts particularly for the poor, elderly and communities with poor public health and public works infrastructure.
The report predicted “An increased frequency and severity of heat waves is expected, leading to more illness and death, particularly among the young, elderly, frail and poor.” Deaths from cold likely would decline, but uncertainties on both projections make it impossible to characterize the overall risk.
Lyme disease and West Nile virus are likely to expand their ranges due to the warming. Some food- and water-borne diseases also likely would increase among susceptible populations, but “major human epidemics” were unlikely as long as public-health systems remain effective.
Presidents are required to submit to Congress a summary report every four years covering the current thoughts on how climate change and other global environmental problems will impact the U.S. The last report was released by the Clinton administration in 2000 and drew fire from many groups opposed to regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
The report, including an updated report on President Bush’s climate research priorities, is available at climatescience.gov.
DOE Initiates Rulemaking, Data Collection on Residential A/C
The Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider establishing amended energy conservation standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps (likely discussions will include stand-by energy consumption and regional standards). Accordingly, DOE will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on this rulemaking. To inform stakeholders and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document which details the analytical approach and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/central_ac_hp.html. The Department will hold a public meeting on June 12, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. More details are available in the Federal Register Notice (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12753.pdf).
Grants for States Pursuing Advanced Codes
The Department of Energy is soliciting grant applications from states for development and implementation of a plan to upgrade, implement and enforce building codes that are a 30% improvement over ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and/or the 2006 IECC. The Department is not requiring States to develop their own building energy codes but is soliciting applications for states to be an early adopter and implementer of the advanced building proposals and design guides that are currently being considered by the ASHRAE and International Code Council (ICC) model energy code committees. The Department is expecting concrete legislative or executive level commitment that the advanced building codes will be enacted. More information on the grant solicitation is available at http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=17828.
