Coordinating Energy Solutions to Optimize Results

This week has been a week of sweet crude oil prices going over $100 per barrel, using local fuel where possible, nuclear plants getting approval in the US by the NRC while there are nuclear plant problems in Japan, solar PV, wind coming under close scrutiny in various parts of our country, using biomass fuel where reasonable and possible, providing local natural gas to displace imported oil,  and questions on the value of geothermal from a cost to benefit analysis. The selection of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) utilizing any fuel improves performance aspects from the mid 30% to the mid 80 % range because of the thermal aspect that is captured. All of this again leads to the conclusion that if we can all conserve energy, and work together for a integrated, coordinated solution for energy management, we can as a nation work toward a strong energy solution.

It is clear in my mind that all the energy options need to be on the table, applied in the proper balanced approach. The key is to produce power in a clean manner with low carbon foot print. There are many ways to achieve that, many of those are green and are positive for the long well being of the country. Some have a zero carbon foot print. Some provide more jobs for local markets than others and in fact reduce energy losses from transmission.

It would be great if we could get all the energy suppliers together around the table as it were to agree on approaches to supply energy to this country under one energy leader. Energy is going to be key to success in the next few years as we march toward a strong country. We need to work toward that goal.

Help all of us by contacting your congressman, contacting the DOE or other agencies who are in the decision making capacity. Together we can make something happen for the betterment of the US.