Providing Powerful Solutions for Changing Times

       HOME  

HOME

Past Article

  As we move forward in an election year, I hope that you will take time to educate yourself on Federal energy issues and how they impact you.    As we approach the election, we will be faced with energy consequences in a carbon-constrained world.  The decisions that will be made will directly affect the cost and reliability of energy.  All of the candidates are fully aware of the environmental issues, all have a plan to deal with environmental issues, but differ in their approach and timetables.

Nebraska PPD has estimated over $500 million in retrofitting Gerald Gentleman station for carbon sequestration.  We all want a clean, healthy environment, but we need to understand that there is no quick fix and no free lunch when it comes to complex energy issues.

The buzz words today are conservation and renewables, these are worthy goals and should be pursued with vigor, but remember it is not the power company or the gas station that conserves energy, it is their customers.  Low income households have the most opportunity for conservation those who can least afford this added expense are the hardest hit.

 Wind and other alternative energy sources, as important as they are, should only be viewed as supplemental power sources.  For various reasons, they are simply not ready to replace coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power as the real workhorses of our power generation.  Conventional generation resources have to be at the ready for periods of time when the wind does not blow, or blows too fast.  That means that we need 1000 watts of fossil generation to back up 1000 watts of wind generation, or double the generation capacity.  We all understand that inflates the cost.

Coal is our most abundant and economic domestic energy source.  If we are serious about improving the nation’s energy independence, we must maintain its use while protecting the environment.

Nuclear power is the only major power source that is virtually emissions free.  If as a nation we are serious about confronting global warming, new nuclear stations must be part of the solution.

We can have a cleaner more secure energy future.  It can be done.  It will be done.  But it is going to take time, money and cooperation between government, industry and the consuming Public.  “Quick fixes are reminiscent of the California electric debacle and Enron. 

Don Suda

General Manager

Send mail to webmaster@swppd.com with questions or comments about this web site.