[Sustain] Energy update
Don Eichelberger
done7777 at sbcglobal.net
Tue Nov 15 21:34:14 PST 2016
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<p>Here is an update on important moves on the energy front I hope
you will find interesting and helpful.</p>
<p>Don<br>
</p>
<p>https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/11/11/18793392.php</p>
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<div class="headers">
<div class="heading"><strong class="heading">Energy 2016</strong></div>
<div class="author">by Don Eichelberger
<span class="nowrap author-email"></span>
<br>
<span class="nowrap"><em>Friday Nov 11th, 2016 5:40 PM </em></span></div>
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<div class="summary">A report on two major projects moving forward
to alter how electric energy is produced and distributed in the
US. More renewables, less nuclear and coal is the goal, but is
that even possible with capitalists controlling the market?</div>
<div class="article"><br>
<br>
--Shutting Down Nuclear and Building Renewables; Easier Said
than Done <br>
<br>
As the state implements SB350, a season of energy compromise is
being called for <br>
<br>
Energy agencies and board rooms have been hopping since summer
making plans to transform the California energy landscape as
nothing has since energy deregulation in 1996 separated
generation from distribution. Two big ideas in the works: one
would incorporate California in to a Western Regional grid aimed
at expanding access to wind power; the other would end nuclear
power generation in California. Both are under siege from many
directions. <br>
<br>
The shut down of Diablo Canyon, negotiated between PG&E,
environmental organizations, unions and others, hinges on what
some consider too long a time line. The utility gets nine more
years, until their NRC operating licenses run out, for the
reactors to continue challenging geology and clogging the grid
with electricity that could be more cheaply and cleanly produced
by renewables. <br>
<br>
PG&E is also excused from performing a long overdue study of
the environmental impacts of their once-through cooling system
that has been killing the natural habitat since it wiped out the
once abundant abalone along its shore in the ‘70’s. <br>
<br>
Others consider the deal a success, “Only nine more years of
reactor operation; a blueprint for the future shutdown of all
nukes!” <br>
<br>
If it really does happen in nine years, and all goes well along
the faults--despite production of tons more waste with nowhere
to be put-- it may be, as Lt. Governor Gavin Newsome calls it,
“the best deal we could get.” <br>
<br>
But, we have seen this beast resurrect before, so we’ll be
watching. There is a well funded pro-nuke movement forming
trying to spin a “nukes are good” message touting low greenhouse
gas emissions, framing concerns about radiation as alarmism,
some claiming a little radiation is good for our health. <br>
<br>
PG&E came to the conservation and renewables party late,
kicking and screaming. As early as 2008 utilities were seeing
severe cuts in demand they worried would last beyond the
recession (WSJ). No capitalist market model accommodates
conservation well. Solar and conservation take away their
customers, jeopardizing investor profits. For many years,
community groups like Women’s Energy Matters, advocating through
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), forced wasted
energy out of PG&E wires and more renewables in to them. And
communities throughout the service area have opted out of
PG&E through Community Choice Aggregation (CCA’s), looking
for cleaner power. <br>
<br>
Along with other investor-owned utilities (IOU’s) across the
country, PG&E has been working to gut net energy metering
(NEM) and CCA’s, which have taken many terawatts of “product”
out of its distribution lines and billions out of bank
accounts--the real force that made them willing to negotiate the
shutdown of Diablo Canyon. To counter the solar threat, PG&E
had to jump in front of the parade and guide it to its power
distribution infrastructure. What better way than the announced
shutdown—on the Summer Solstice--of California’s last operating
nuclear power reactors? <br>
<br>
Solar rooftops and city scale local solar projects could, if
done right, fuel small business growth, and make large
transmission grids obsolete, or at least less necessary.
Already, the Solar Energy Industry Association predicts 20,000
megawatts of installed solar in the next five years. PG&E
can’t have that. Under deregulation, PG&E got the grid and
certain generation assets, including Diablo Canyon, dams,
natural gas plants and geysers, and other qualifying generators,
including solar and wind, were allowed to sell power in to the
grid. PG&E charges a fee for every watt carried, so
conservation and rooftop solar are proven money losers. There is
concern that PG&E will use the nine year time line to
implement a portfolio of renewables that will shape the
renewable energy markets in a way that undermines the appeal of
rooftop solar. <br>
<br>
According to New York Times, “During the first quarter of (2016)
alone, at least 10 states were weighing or approving rate design
measures that could undermine the economic appeal of home solar
systems, according to data compiled by the North Carolina Clean
Energy Technology Center”. While Hawaii and Nevada have ended
solar credits that made solar thrive in those states, Florida
voters failed to get the 2/3 majority needed to pass a
constitutional amendment that opponents feared would undermine
solar in the Sunshine State. California’s PUC only tightened the
loop a small bit, adding some non-bypassable hook up charges
with promises of more to come after 2020, when the current deal
runs out. California utilities have filed suit against the NEM
ruling, which forces them to buy rooftop solar at higher prices.
<br>
<br>
In the signed memorandum for the shutdown of Diablo Canyon, the
company has promised to use renewable energy, conservation and
storage to replace 55% of the 2200 MW of power lost from the
reactor shutdowns by 2031. Only half the reactors’ power needs
to be replaced because so many people conserved, went solar or
went CCA. Fifty-five percent is in line with the requirement in
California Senate Bill 350 (SB350)—the Clean Energy and
Pollution Reduction Act-- to replace half the state’s energy
with renewables and conservation by 2030. <br>
<br>
PG&E will also try to recoup approximately $2 billion to pay
off the reactors while working hard to maintain a profit margin
for investors, to the detriment, many feel, of more
decentralized energy delivery models and small businesses. The
deal is now before the CPUC for consideration, and no guarantee
of approval. <br>
<br>
The other big idea in the works, the proposed expansion of the
California Grid is being challenged by mountain state coal
interests and the Sierra Club, among others. <br>
<br>
While challenging rooftop solar programs, net metering and
Community Choice Aggregation, IOU’s are also moving forward on
efforts ostensibly to gain access to more renewable (wind)
energy in to the California electrical grid, but would move
energy decisions out of state control. <br>
<br>
California Independent Systems Operator (CALISO), who oversees
the California grid, along with California Energy Commission
(CEC) and the CPUC, have been working to implement a proposed
grid expansion to encompass the windy Rocky Mountain States from
Montana to New Mexico. This fits with a long held industry plan
to merge local utilities to form regional grids. This takes
control of utility grids out of state utility commissions and
puts it in to the hands of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
in far away DC. California’s ban on imported coal energy would
be overcome. There are reports that Warren Buffet’s Berkshire
Hathaway is sniffing around PG&E. They already own much of
the grid from Montana to New Mexico. <br>
<br>
The expansion would include setting a timeline for replacement
of coal fired power plants, which account for about 60% of the
energy in some of the grids, with wind. One of the provisions
would allow a short-term spike in coal fired energy in to our
state grid in exchange for promised shrinking coal use in the
future. Coal would eventually be replaced mainly with wind
through the interconnected multi-state grid. <br>
<br>
The process, set forth in SB350, was threatened after Wyoming
legislators, who don’t want “a windmill on every ridge”
producing energy for export to Oregon, Washington and
California, and angry over California’s refusal to allow Wyoming
coal shipments to China through the port of Oakland, introduced
a bill that would have tripled the nation’s only tax on wind
energy from $1 to $3 per kilowatt hour. It was narrowly defeated
this past September. <br>
<br>
Discourse continues on governance, a big can of worms full of
who rules and how questions. It is a fight for control of a huge
market, and investor owned utilities (IOU’s) in California own
the means of distribution for energy produced from afar. They
have the inside edge and clear self interest in dampening
distributed solar rooftop generation, which, it is estimated,
could provide 70% of the state’s power if fully utilized. <br>
<br>
The issue comes down to Socialism 1A, “Owning the Means of
Production”. “Workers” can now own solar arrays and never have
to pay a capitalist again for energy. They can even get a return
on their investment; a profit. Or, they can unite in a CCA and
purchase clean power as a co-op. <br>
<br>
To now, energy has been produced by industry and sold as a
commodity. That paradigm is shifting as utilities find there is
more mostly non-renewable energy flowing in their lines than
people are willing to buy, and cheaper solar, net metering and
CCA’s make more alternatives available. As the emerging energy
landscape develops, we must work to see the gains made are
protected and expanded. <br>
<br>
Don Eichelberger <br>
Abalone Alliance Safe Energy Clearinghouse/ <br>
Nuclear Free California, Shut down Nuclear Power <br>
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.energy-net.org">http://www.energy-net.org</a>,
<br>
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nuclearfreecal.org/nfcnet/">http://www.nuclearfreecal.org/nfcnet/</a>
<br>
</div>
<div class="link"><a href="http://www.energy-net.org">http://www.energy-net.org</a></div>
</div>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Don Eichelberger
Abalone Alliance Safe Energy Clearinghouse/
Nuclear Free California
Shut down nuclear power
www.nuclearfreecal.org/nfcnet/
www.energy-net.org
Expose the back room dealer elite at Bohemian Grove
www.exposebohemiangrove.net
more info at: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/03/01/18708527.php
And also: https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/07/07/18758353.php
Follow at www.Facebook.com/BGANsc
Learn about the Evolution of the US Surveillance State
https://surveillance1984blog.wordpress.com/
More about me at
www.Facebook.com/DonEichelberger
Check my original music at
www.MySpace.com/donnyfix
"The government of an exclusive company of merchants is, perhaps, the worst of all governments for any country whatever."
Adam Smith, "Wealth of Nations" Ch.7
“When there’s a huge solar energy spill, it’s just called a ‘nice day'."
-Colin Murchie-
"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong."
-Voltaire
</pre>
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