After working with the metrowide grassroots group Clean Energy Now (www.clean-energy-now.org) of over 1200 folks for the last three years of attending meetings, writing letters, testifying, etc, to educate and raise folks awareness about the Xcel Riverside plant and the proposed Metro Emissions Reduction Project, we came across this concern from alot of folks across Minneapolis, St.Paul, and the state:
"...there simply is not enough natural gas distribution capacity to replace coal...." Although CEN is currently working on updating the website since the Public Utilities Commission 4-1 decision on Dec. 18th, 2003 to pass the nationally historic voluntary MERP project, the two best answers are from CEN's Myths and Facts regarding coal and natural gas are below: Myth: We will run out of natural gas if we convert or prices will go through the roof. Fact: A common misconception is that we are running out of natural gas, and fast. We actually have an abundant supply. The US supplies 84% of the gas we use domestically (the remainder comes primarily from Canada). Here in the US we have an estimated 53 year supply based on 1999 data. The price spike that we experienced a couple winters ago was due to market forces. In a deregulated market we leave the local supply decisions up to the natural gas utilities, who did not anticipate a cold winter during the winter of 2000-2001. One other idea to keep in mind is that electricity demand is traditionally highest in the summer, when used for cooling, thatâs when natural gas supplies are on hand, which would leave plenty for heating in the winter when demand for electricity is lower. We see natural gas not as an ideal solution, but as an effective stop-gap measure until renewable energy sources can make up a larger share of our energy demands. Itâs a measure that should have been undertaken decades ago. Myth: Clean-up will be too costly. Fact: The best estimates we have are that typical households (using 750 kilowatt hours or paying $52 per month) will pay between $2.70â 5.50 per month extra. Consumers who are concerned about higher bills can always invest in energy conservation (like installing compact florescent light bulbs or efficient appliances) which may actually negate the price increase. Clean Energy Now is working with environmental groups, consumers groups, neighborhoods and Metro Area residents to tell the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that the plan should go forward with protections for lower income energy consumers. During the decision-making process, the PUC will carefully investigate Xcelâs cost figure to be sure that they are not going to overcharge consumers. While coal is a relatively cheap fuel to purchase it is not necessarily the cheapest energy source. If you figure in costs to mine the coal, transport the coal, and dispose of the waste ash the costs add up both economically and environmentally. One of the major costs overlooked is the health costs associated with coal which include lost work days, asthma attacks, and at-risk groups having their lives shortened due to the emissions. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency states that the MERP project will more than pay for itself in health benefits. If we convert to gas we not only remove thousands of tons of pollutants but we reduce the health-related costs and environmental costs, which will actually be a direct benefit to us. So many folks we talked to over the years believe we can do better than being 75% reliant on coal (which is 25% above the national average) and a combined 1% reliant on solar and windpower as a state.(Dept.of Comm 2002). As for the comment regarding the Park Board purchasing the vacant coal pile lots, there's alot of people to involve, time, and planning that can be done before 2009!(conversion date for Xcel Riverside,last of the three MERP projects) CEN is currently putting together a forum on Green Energy for February. Be watching for more details in the next few days on the community wide forum for energy options! Hope we'll see you there! Amy Luesebrink LBNA/SCNA staff Clean Energy Now member REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
