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State has a long way to go to curb global warming
As the long, dark nights of winter stretch
out before us, it is a good time to reflect on how the electricity
that we need to illuminate our lives is generated and the impact
that that has on global warming.
Some would paint a rosy picture of Wisconsin's contribution to
eliminating greenhouse gasses. Brett Hulsey’s recent opinion piece correctly cited
laudable strides made in ethanol production, converting methane to power, and
moves by UW campuses to "lead by example and go off the grid" – all
initiatives for which we applaud Governor Doyle’s leadership. However,
Hulsey failed to note that the real elephant on the table in terms
of emitting global warming gasses - and therefore the sector where
efforts can and should be focused - is coal-fired power plants.
By far the largest contributor to global warming emissions in the
state, the existing coal-fired power plants alone currently emit
47 million tons of carbon dioxide and other global warming gasses
each and every year. Add to this
the fact that more new coal-fired power plants are on the drawing boards, and
the number goes up to almost 60 million tons of global warming gasses that
Wisconsin's power industry will belch annually up into the atmosphere. Other
contributors to global warming gasses - agriculture, for example
- pale in comparison, so it is the power companies that deserve
the attention not accorded them.
Utilities and the coal industry are marketing coal fired electricity
generation as a necessary resource to meet future energy needs. However, continued
reliance on coal as a fuel for electricity production is dangerous and irresponsible. In
fact, Wisconsin's own State Energy Priorities Law lists coal-fired
power generation dead last.
Surely the state of Wisconsin can do better than dusting off the
nine-year-old Wisconsin Climate Change Action Plan - as Mr. Hulsey
did - to make significant strides toward curbing global warming. Using a study whose most recent
data is six years old begs the question of how closely we are paying attention
to the impact that this crucial issue is having on the landscape right here
in Wisconsin. Other states - including California and New Mexico have recognized
the importance of addressing this problem and have taken it head on. Closer
to home, the states of Illinois and Minnesota have formed a Global Warming
Advisory Council and called for a 15% reduction in fossil fuels by 2015, respectively.
Wisconsin can – and should – follow suit.
Given Wisconsin's traditions of innovation and "can-do" attitude,
it is surprising that not a single electric power utility has fully embraced
cleaner, more efficient power-generating technologies that minimize or eliminate
greenhouse gasses. Wisconsin deserves the best in clean,
responsible energy choices that meet our needs for electricity,
but also protect our environment.
It's time to stop building dirty, outdated coal plants. Then watch
Wisconsin make progress on global warming.
Mark Redsten
Executive Director
Clean Wisconsin