Tax the CO2 emitted and regulate particulate emissions like any other source of particulate emissions and let the coal plant owners decide for themselves to close it.
I'm sad to report that the UK's Green Deal is no longer, in fact it only survived from its launch in 2012 until 2015 when the government scrapped it. The theory behind it was quite good: initially an assessor would survey the property and put forward a set of energy efficiency/renewable energy improvements that would have reasonable payback times. These would then be funded through a loan which would be repaid through future electricity bills, with a "notional" guarantee that the loan payments would be less than the energy financial savings. However the programme had some fundamental flaws which have been summarised in the following article: https://energypost.eu/uk-green-deal-failed-needs-replacement/
Unfortunately the government has yet to come up with an alternative plan, so the UK is not in a good place when it comes to upgrading its existing housing stock.
In Canada we have launched a program to help and support Canadians to reduce their household emissions including in their homes entitled Live Net Zero - LiveNetZero.org Last year we reached 54 million impressions and engaged 6.4 million Canadians in our program. We would love to have you speak with the families actively undertaking efforts to live a Net Zero lifestyle. If you are interested let us know how we might connect!
Electrification of ones home is only for the privileged. The Kw ain't cheap folks and either is electrification of ones home. Takes lots of money to do so. We spends our tax dollars on forever wars ehick make some very wealthy folks wealthier while the rest slide down rung or two on the economic scale.
*Taking green and walking green...got to have $$$$ to walk the talk.*
Which is why I say - probably about once a day - that the most effective thing we can do as individuals is to advocate for systemic change, so that the easiest and most affordable choices for everyone are also the best choices. If you haven't heard me say that yet ... just keep listening and you will!
Some states subsidize solar panels and other green technologies. Before making the switch do some checking around to make sure going green is right for you.
Replacing a 1000 MW coal-fired power plant with "150 MW of solar, 70 MW of wind, and 150 MW of storage batteries" is clearly not "switching to clean energy."
Just do the math.
The solar will probably run at 25% capacity with a little more for the wind. So the new plant is probably only replacing about 10% of the electricity generated by the old plant.
This is yet more evidence that solar and wind cannot replace coal at scale:
I’d like to add a comment about switching from a gas stove to induction stove but are reluctant to because gas stoves have such fast and precise heat control. I bought an induction stove about six months ago and love it. Pot and pans reach cooking temperature very fast and if the temperature needs to be adjusted it happens very quickly and precisely. Only the bottom of the cookware gets hot so spills are a breeze to clean up and the kitchen gets heated much less. Any magnetic cookware works with them. When I got my induction stove I bought a reasonably priced set of cookware from Amazon. Induction stoves are a better way to cook.
Thanks for the shoutout about how we're helping homeowners decarbonize at QuitCarbon!
Most people probably don't know that heating water accounts for 49% of home fossil fuel use, followed by space heating (37%) and cooking (7%). Putting in a heat pump water heater is often the best first step, and it's increasingly cheaper than fossil fuel gas between the rebates and the ongoing energy savings (especially if you also have solar)!
Heat pumps are remarkable machines, and will be a key part of the energy transition.
Do you have a reference for your statement about heating water vs space heating? This is a little dated but the EIA data for the U.S. from 2015 suggest that space heating accounts for 43% of residential end-use energy while water heating accounts for 19%, https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=37433 . I am all for reducing fossil fuel use but I think it is important for people to understand that electrifying their space heating should probably be a higher priority than replacing water heaters.
Tax the CO2 emitted and regulate particulate emissions like any other source of particulate emissions and let the coal plant owners decide for themselves to close it.
The percentage of coal as a source for electricity generation in the U.S. decreased from 52% to 19% between 2000 and 2020. It was replaced by natural gas and renewables. This change corresponded to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. Ref. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/clean-energy-electricity-sources/?itid=sf_climate_climate-lab_article_list. The last coal plants in NM are scheduled to retire in 2031.
I'm sad to report that the UK's Green Deal is no longer, in fact it only survived from its launch in 2012 until 2015 when the government scrapped it. The theory behind it was quite good: initially an assessor would survey the property and put forward a set of energy efficiency/renewable energy improvements that would have reasonable payback times. These would then be funded through a loan which would be repaid through future electricity bills, with a "notional" guarantee that the loan payments would be less than the energy financial savings. However the programme had some fundamental flaws which have been summarised in the following article: https://energypost.eu/uk-green-deal-failed-needs-replacement/
Unfortunately the government has yet to come up with an alternative plan, so the UK is not in a good place when it comes to upgrading its existing housing stock.
In Canada we have launched a program to help and support Canadians to reduce their household emissions including in their homes entitled Live Net Zero - LiveNetZero.org Last year we reached 54 million impressions and engaged 6.4 million Canadians in our program. We would love to have you speak with the families actively undertaking efforts to live a Net Zero lifestyle. If you are interested let us know how we might connect!
Hi Aran, thanks for the input! We always love to collect tips on new programs.
If you have any specific ideas or requests you are always welcome to send them here: www.katharinehayhoe.com/contact/
Electrification of ones home is only for the privileged. The Kw ain't cheap folks and either is electrification of ones home. Takes lots of money to do so. We spends our tax dollars on forever wars ehick make some very wealthy folks wealthier while the rest slide down rung or two on the economic scale.
*Taking green and walking green...got to have $$$$ to walk the talk.*
Cheers
Which is why I say - probably about once a day - that the most effective thing we can do as individuals is to advocate for systemic change, so that the easiest and most affordable choices for everyone are also the best choices. If you haven't heard me say that yet ... just keep listening and you will!
Programs like this are great, but we need more: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/13/1096114029/low-income-energy-efficient-weatherization-program-3-5b-needy
Some states subsidize solar panels and other green technologies. Before making the switch do some checking around to make sure going green is right for you.
Replacing a 1000 MW coal-fired power plant with "150 MW of solar, 70 MW of wind, and 150 MW of storage batteries" is clearly not "switching to clean energy."
Just do the math.
The solar will probably run at 25% capacity with a little more for the wind. So the new plant is probably only replacing about 10% of the electricity generated by the old plant.
This is yet more evidence that solar and wind cannot replace coal at scale:
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/can-increased-windsolar-retire-us
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/can-increased-windsolar-retire-asian
The only real alternative is a blend of natural gas, nuclear, and hydro. The exact blend will vary by region:
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/there-is-a-better-alternative-to
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/a-simple-and-cost-effective-plan
I’d like to add a comment about switching from a gas stove to induction stove but are reluctant to because gas stoves have such fast and precise heat control. I bought an induction stove about six months ago and love it. Pot and pans reach cooking temperature very fast and if the temperature needs to be adjusted it happens very quickly and precisely. Only the bottom of the cookware gets hot so spills are a breeze to clean up and the kitchen gets heated much less. Any magnetic cookware works with them. When I got my induction stove I bought a reasonably priced set of cookware from Amazon. Induction stoves are a better way to cook.
Thanks for the shoutout about how we're helping homeowners decarbonize at QuitCarbon!
Most people probably don't know that heating water accounts for 49% of home fossil fuel use, followed by space heating (37%) and cooking (7%). Putting in a heat pump water heater is often the best first step, and it's increasingly cheaper than fossil fuel gas between the rebates and the ongoing energy savings (especially if you also have solar)!
Heat pumps are remarkable machines, and will be a key part of the energy transition.
Do you have a reference for your statement about heating water vs space heating? This is a little dated but the EIA data for the U.S. from 2015 suggest that space heating accounts for 43% of residential end-use energy while water heating accounts for 19%, https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=37433 . I am all for reducing fossil fuel use but I think it is important for people to understand that electrifying their space heating should probably be a higher priority than replacing water heaters.
Hey Dean, thanks for the comment here. The data I referenced is for California specifically, which is a more temperate climate than much of the US.
Source here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14_I8Yj4BynOKLa4Qfs1bVvZFaeC0iNFC/view?pli=1
Also wanted to share a resource we've put together with the programs we're aware of around the world that can help people electrify their homes:
https://www.quitcarbon.com/residential-electrification-assistance-programs