Fossil Fuels – Coal, Oil and Gas
We believe that Fossil Fuels will be an important part of our energy strategy, but are not the best choice for some energy needs in the long run. We need to make plans to reduce our usage.
The current need for fossil fuels is best (or worst) exemplified by the paradox of Germany. Germany was a world-leader in the implementation of renewables, especially solar and wind. However, due to fear of nuclear accidents and fuel management issues, Germany is now planning to shut down all of its nuclear power plants. In 2016, 80% of the primary energy consumed in Germany was provided by fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). [CleanEnergyWire.com, August 1, 2017]
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-energy-consumption-and-power-mix-charts
On the other hand, mindful of smog and over-capacity, China has cancelled the construction of over 103 coal-fired plants. [New York Times January 18, 2017]
Some negative impacts of fossil fuels are:
- Political and economic impact (even wars) of dependency on foreign oil.
- Pollution – Coal, oil and gas produce carbon, CO2 and many other pollutants.
- Even “Clean Coal” plants are not as clean or as cost-effective as gas-fired plants and may not be a viable solution in many situations. Read about Southern Company’s coal gasification plant in Kemper, MS… “Mississippi power plant’s shutdown confirms that ‘clean coal’ as an industry savior is a myth” [LA Times, July 5, 2017], http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-clean-coal-20170705-story.html
- Destruction of the environment. Extraction and transportation of fossil fuels hurt the environment in many ways:
- Oil, gas and pipeline companies cut hundreds of miles of canals through coastal marshes, causing saltwater intrusion and wetland destruction, reducing hurricane protection and increasing coastal subsidence.
- “Louisiana coast sinking 50 percent faster than thought, new study says”, [NOLA.com, June 14, 2017]
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/06/sinking_feeling_louisiana_coas.html - Oil spills cause damage from Alaska to Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. See “BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill” [Wikipedia, 2015] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill
- Mountain-top removal mining for coal flattens mountains and ruins valleys and streams in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.
- From Alaska to North Carolina and from Texas to Michigan, drilling and fracking operations denude the landscape, possibly create earthquakes and can pollute groundwater if done poorly.
