Sustainability - - A Focus On Carbon

Contrary to what the 2017 Update states, SB1547 does not require that coal plants be phased out by 2035.   It also does not require any phasing out of coal-fired electricity from helping to serve our demand for electricity.   While it does increase the Renewable Performance Standards (RPS) in the out years, reaching 50% by 2050, this applies only to two utilities: PGE and PacifiCorp.   Even then, the requirement may be met through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from across the United States.   As a result, the electricity entering homes and businesses in Portland will continue to include carbon-based generation, including coal.   There is a second reason why carbon-based fuels, including coal, will continue to be delivered to Portland’s homes and businesses since coal will remain a significant component of the West Coast power system of which PGE and PacifiCorp are a part. If you are interested in this issue, here are seve...

In a word, No. Governor Kate Brown did sign the The Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Plan (“the Plan”). While news reports heralded it as the first of its kind in the nation, those reports were wrong. For example, Oregon Public Radio (OPB) ran a story with a narrative that reflected the environmental community’s pitch. OPB’s report noted that the Plan “... put an expiration date of 2025 on all coal-fired power coming into the state and. . . require[s] utilities to replace electricity from coal with power that is 90% cleaner.” Other examples include the following headlines: “Oregon Passes Historic Bill to Phase Out Coal and Double Down on Renewables (NRDC)”; “Oregon Set To Become First Coal-Free State (Huffington Post”); “Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed one of the nation’s most aggressive pieces of pro-climate legislation into state law Friday (U.S. News and World Report)”; and “How Oregon plans to quit coal (CS Monitor).” PAC’s press release correctly stated its first key ...

Coal is a major source of carbon emissions.  According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), coal has a higher carbon content than other fossil fues typically employed to generate electricity. Pounds of CO2 emitted per million British thermal units (Btu) of energy for various fuels: Coal (anthracite) 228.6; Coal (bituminous) 205.7\; Coal (lignite) 215.4 Coal (subbituminous) 214.3; Diesel fuel and heating oil 161.3; Propane 139.0; Natural gas 117.0 See : https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=73&t=11 How much carbon is burned per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity depends on the efficiency of the electric generator, called the heat rate, measured in but/kWh.

Image courtesy of Portland ClipArt Festival The City of Portland and Multnomah County will soon jointly adtop a resolution to use 100% renewables by 2050.  A draft of that Resolution l apply to both city and county facilities and operations.  A version of the motion did appear on the City Council Agenda for thursday, April, 27th, but was removed prior to the Council meeting. In light of the limits on City authority, what the City can control is the use of carbon emitting fuels in CIty operations - trucks, cars, mowers and other gardening tools, any fossil fuel based generators under control of the City. Beyond the CIty's limited range of authority, the only tool available is promotion, promoting, and encouraging homeowners, landlords and business owners to shift out of the use of fossil fuels. Here is something you can do: As you go about your day examine what items you use that 1. Require fossil fuels to manufacture; 2. Contain fossil fuels; 3. Require fossil fue...

How fascinating it is to look back from where you came.  Okay, sometimes it's fascinating.  Back in 2009, there was far less focus on issues revolving around Sustainability.  How that has changed!  Now it's time for me to revive this blog.  My focus will narrow to topics related to de-carbonization. Here is a link to a paper of mine that recently appeared in The Electricity journal , titled "Cutting Carbon Emissions from Electricity Generation."  Here is the abstract:  "Oregon’s Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Plan does not prohibit delivery of coal-fired electricity to retail loads.  Coal-fired electricity cannot be excluded from retail delivery given the interconnected Western grid.  It also mandates new renewable performance standards that are the costliest approach of the policies reviewed.  Cost adders tied to carbon emissions from all thermal generation are an effective approach to carbon reduction." For other papers and ...