Moving New York City toward Sustainable Energy Independence

[jpak]

http://www.beyondoilnyc.org/

Many of us are worried about the long-term consequences of climate change, and there’s growing support for the warnings of climate scientists that we need to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 to avoid climate catastrophe. On the other hand, most Americans are not cutting their energy use significantly. Defenders of business as usual claim that energy frugality will harm our economy, while failing to consider that inaction now guarantees wrecking the economy later with heat waves and flooding. Part of the problem is the perception that the climate impacts of our oil addiction lie far in the future, preventing a public consensus of urgency. Without that, the bold political action we need today is impossible.

Our dependence on imported fossil fuels poses serious short-term risks as well. Conservative pundits and military analysts tell us that even slight disruptions to our oil imports will cause prices to spike to $100 a barrel or more. The economic consequences will impact most Americans personally and directly. Unlike climate change impacts, we could be faced with the national security threat of price shocks at any time.

For example, an attack on Iran is likely to result in a blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, through which over a third of the world’s oil is shipped. Hopefully that won’t happen, but we’re still at risk from disruptions caused by Gulf Coast hurricanes or terrorist attacks on oil shipping and refining infrastructure. Even without a crisis, a recent GAO report documents that depleting world oil supplies, when combined with rising demand, will make energy markets increasingly volatile - and supply disruptions inevitable.

Rising awareness of climate change is accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels, and we need to step it up further. Short-term municipal plans to conserve energy quickly during fuel price shocks are a critical starting point. Putting them into place will make cities more resilient, and public education about them will motivate rapid implementation of efficiency, conservation and renewable energy projects.

<more>

[Cassandra]

1. Why don't we have solar cells on top of buildings?

Summertime is when we most need the extra power and we certainly have no shortage of sunlight then. Waste water filtration and reuse in toilets or for watering would be good in new buildings (retro fitting old buildings may not be possible).
I suspect Con Ed prefers to keep all the power generating capabilities to themselves. I pay for green power (water and wind) but the Con Ed portion of my bill for delivering services keeps going up. Hmmmm.....