Dear Friends:
Below is a press release that went out October 7, announcing the Sustainable Energy Blueprint. There should no longer be any doubt that addressing the climate crisis and achieving energy security can be done without use of nuclear power. In fact, far from helping with climate change, increasing the use of nuclear power would make it more difficult to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a timely manner and at a realistic cost. Our choice is clear: we can address the climate crisis or we can have more nuclear power. We can’t do both. Fortunately, the choice is an easy one.
If your organization would like to sign on to the Sustainable Energy Blueprint, please contact Ken Bossong at kbossong@hotmail.com. A formatted version of the Blueprint is available on NIRS website (www.nirs.org).
Individuals: don’t forget to sign the Petition for a Sustainable Energy Future at http://www.nirs.org/petition/index.php?r=ft and invite your friends and colleagues to sign as well!
Thanks!
Michael Mariotte, Nuclear Information and Resource Service
145
Organizations Release "Sustainable Energy Blueprint" To Phase Out
Nuclear Power, End Energy Imports, And Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions
It provides a timeframe and series of policy recommendations for rapidly expanding the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies to enable a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gases while simultaneously phasing out nuclear power and ending most energy imports.
The "Sustainable Energy Blueprint" argues that three primary, longer-term objectives for the nation's energy policy should be:
1.) reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a level consistent with a world-wide goal of global climate stabilization (assumes curbing U.S. CO2 emissions by 60-80% from current levels by mid-century);
2.)
eliminating
3.) phasing out the current generation of nuclear power while substantially curbing the production and consumption of fossil fuels, by increasing the use of energy efficiency and making a transition to sustainable, environmentally safer renewable energy sources.
Towards this end, it suggests a 2025 energy scenario in which total energy use is reduced by 20%, renewable energy provides more than 20% of domestic energy supplies, natural gas imports are eliminated, oil imports are cut by more than 40%, greenhouse gas emissions are 20% below current levels, and nuclear power is almost completely phased out.
By 2050, the "Sustainable Energy Blueprint" envisions a domestic energy mix in which energy efficiency improvements have reduced energy use from present levels by 40%, renewables account for at least half of total energy supplies, greenhouse gas emissions have been slashed by two-thirds from 2005 levels, fossil fuel imports have ceased, and nuclear power is no longer in use.
The authors of the "Sustainable Energy Blueprint" acknowledge that the mix of options presented are intended to be illustrative and is by no means the only combination by which the Untied States could achieve a sustainable energy future.
In the coming months, as additional institutional sign-ons continue to be solicited, the "Sustainable Energy Blueprint" will be forwarded to government officials, candidates for elective office, and other persons/institutions that are looking for ideas on how to advance a sustainable energy agenda. This will be an on-going effort over the next two years - at least through the 2008 presidential election.
The full text of the "Sustainable Energy Blueprint," including a state-by-state listing of the organizations that have signed to date, follows (and is attached along with the text of this news release).
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** The Sustainable Energy Network is a network of 300+ organizations, businesses, and individual advocates promoting aggressive deployment of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies as a strategy for phasing-out nuclear power, eliminating energy imports, and making deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
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Download .pdf version of blueprint here
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BLUEPRINT
A PLAUSIBLE STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING A NO-NUCLEAR, LOW-CARBON, HIGHLY-EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE
The following statement outlines an ambitious but doable strategy for dramatically reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, phasing out nuclear power, and ending energy imports while simultaneously creating new domestic jobs and businesses, improving energy, homeland, and national security and the economy, and enhancing the environment and public health.
Objectives:
The three primary, longer-term objectives for the nation's energy policy should be:
1.)
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level consistent with a world-wide goal of
global climate stabilization (assumes curbing
2.)
eliminate
3.) phase out the current generation of nuclear power while substantially curbing the production and consumption of fossil fuels, by increasing the use of energy efficiency and making a transition to sustainable, environmentally safer renewable energy sources.
Targets:
The following targets approximate what is technically and economically feasible given the necessary policy support and leadership as well as what would likely be necessary if the above-listed objectives are to be achieved.
By 2025
1.) reduce total energy consumption by at least one percent/year from 2005 levels, through efficiency improvements in housing, manufacturing, vehicles, airplanes, government facilities, and businesses, so that by 2025, U.S. energy use totals no more than about 80 quads.
2.) increase from 2005 levels, production of renewable energy from biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydropower (and other water power sources), solar, and wind plus renewably-based hydrogen - in an environmentally responsible manner - by about 0.5 quads/year so that by 2025 renewables provide at least 17 quads.
3.) phase out the current generation of nuclear power plants by not relicensing currently existing reactors and not building new ones.
4.)
reduce oil consumption by at least one percent/year below 2005 levels so that by
2025,
5.)
reduce natural gas consumption by one percent/year below 2005 levels so that by
2025, the
6.) reduce coal consumption by at least one percent/year below 2005 levels
7.) reduce carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions by at least one percent/year so that by 2025 they are at least 20% below current levels.
By 2050
1.)
continue to reduce total energy consumption by at least one percent/year below
2005 levels through efficiency improvements so that by 2050, total
2.) continue to expand use of renewable energy sources by at least 0.5 quads per year from 2005 levels so that by 2050, renewables contribute at least 30 quads to the nation's energy supply.
3.) continue to reduce oil consumption by at least two percent/year below 2005 levels so that by 2050, oil imports will be eliminated and total oil use is no more than one-fifth of today's levels.
4.) continue to reduce coal consumption by at least one percent/year below 2005 levels and phase out all single-cycle pulverized coal power plants, so that by 2050, coal consumption is no more than one-third of today's levels.
5.) continue to reduce natural gas consumption by about one percent/year below 2005 levels so that by 2050, natural gas consumption is one-third below today's levels.
6.) continue to reduce carbon dioxide emissions so that by 2050, they are no more than one-third of current levels.
Tables:
The following tables provide estimate of what the nation's energy mix would be if the above-listed targets are realized.
2005 Energy Consumption (quadrillion BTUs) 23.0 - Coal 16.5 - Oil (Domestic) 23.0 - Oil (Imports) 19.0 - Natural Gas (Domestic) 3.5 - Natural Gas (Imports) 8.0 - Nuclear 7.0 - Renewables 100.0 - Total CO2 Emissions - 6,000 million metric tons
2025 Energy Consumption (quadrillion BTUs)
18.0 - Coal 15.5 - Oil (Domestic) 11.5 - Oil (Imports) 18.0 - Natural Gas (Domestic) 0.0 - Natural Gas (Imports) 1.0 - Nuclear 17.0 - Renewables 81.0 - Total
CO2 Emissions - <4,800 million metric tons
2050 Energy Consumption (quadrillion BTUs) 8.0 - Coal 8.0 - Oil (Domestic) 0.0 - Oil (Imports) 14.0 - Natural Gas (Domestic) 0.0 - Natural Gas (Imports) 0.0 - Nuclear 30.0 - Renewables 60.0 - Total CO2 Emissions - 2,000 million metric tons
Proposed Policy Initiatives:
The following policy initiatives are not exhaustive but are illustrative of the type necessary to realize the targets and objectives outlined above.
1.) By 2025, fuel economy standards for cars and trucks should be at least double what they are today, beginning with a 50% increase in fuel economy for new vehicles by the year 2015.
2.) By 2025, total annual person-miles traveled by automobile and truck should be back to levels no higher than today through expansion of mass transit, better land use planning, telecommuting, etc.
3.) By 2025, no less than 25 percent of the nation's liquid transportation fuels should be provided, or displaced, by renewable sources, including renewably-generated hydrogen.
4.) By 2025, no less than 25 percent of the nation's electricity should be mandated to be generated by renewable energy sources and increased by at least one percent/year thereafter.
5.) By 2025, state and/or federal standards should mandate that the energy efficiency of appliances, motors, and lighting should be improved by no less than 20 percent as measured on a total fuel cycle basis.
6.) By 2025, state and/or federal standards should mandate that 20 percent of all new buildings must be zero energy buildings (moving twoards a goal of all new buildings being zero energy by 2050), using a combination of efficient design and clean on-site energy production;
7.) By 2025, energy use in the electricity sector should be reduced by at least 10 percent through the use of clean distributed generation such as combined heat & power, district energy, fuel cells, and improved energy storage and transmission technologies.
8.) Energy efficiency resource standards for electric and gas utilities should be established with a target savings of at least one percent of annual sales each year, on an incremental basis, such that savings build on previous years' impacts.
9.) Expansion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean distributed generation technologies should be promoted through national interconnection standards i.e., (net metering and transmission access reforms), production and investment tax incentives, government procurement, updated resource assessment, and state and local planning programs.
10.) Annual federal funding for the research, development, and deployment of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies should be at least doubled over the next five years and expanded to no less than five times current levels by 2025.
11.) Funding to support sustainable energy budget outlays and tax incentives, as well as to alleviate low-income consumer impacts, should be drawn from a mix of gradually increased dedicated taxes on carbon-based fuels, energy imports, and fossil fuel leases on federal lands.
12.) Any new coal-based powerplants should be required to achieve energy efficiency and environmental performance equal to, or better than, the best-available Integrated Combined Cycle Coal Gasification technology, and must include full and permanent carbon capture and sequestration.
13.) Unless all of the following conditions are satisfied, licenses for existing nuclear power plants should not be renewed or extended and federal nuclear funds should be directed towards plant decommissioning and waste clean-up, storage & disposal:
a) greenhouse gas emissions from the nuclear fuel cycle are reduced by 60 percent;
b) designs are developed for passively-safe reactors that cannot melt down, explode, or release radioactivity, under any conditions, including direct hits from bombs, aircraft impacts, earthquakes, floods, or terrorist acts;
c) radiation exposure standards are established that ensure no radiation exposure hazards to workers or the public;
d) waste handling and disposal technologies are developed that preclude the need for long-distance waste transport or long-term storage;
e) fuel cycle and waste handling technologies are developed that preclude any risk of nuclear weapons proliferation or theft of potentially fissionable materials; and
f) private liability per nuclear power plant under the Price-Anderson Act is increased to no less than $50 billion.
*********************************************
ENDORSEMENTS TO DATE:
Airwaterearth Org. Frank C. Subjeck
Ecosa Institute William Ozier, Operations Manager
North East Arizona Energy Services Company Larry E. Bell, President
Solar Institute Paul Huddy, Director
Sustainable
American Association for Fuel Cells Thomas Dickerman
American Society of International Law - International Environmental Law Group Dr. Wil Burns, Co-Chair
Community Environmental Council Tam Hunt
Donald Aiken Associates Donald Aitken, Ph.D., Principal Barbara Harwood, Co-Principal
Environmental Priorities Network Lillian Light, President
Geothermal Education Office Marilyn Nemzer, Executive Director
Global Possibilities Casey Coates Danson, President
Loving
Occidental
Arts and
organicARCHITECT Eric Corey Freed, Architect - Principal,
Redwood
San Luis Sustainability Group Kenneth Haggard, Principal
Sierra Solar Systems Jonathan Hill, Solar Applications Engineer
Sustainable Energy Solutions Bernhard O. Voelkelt
Tahoe Solar Designs Leslie Ames
Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment) Marylia Kelley, Executive Director
Colorado Energy Group George Burmeister, President
Clean
Energy Action (of
EarthNest Institute Nicole V. Langley, Director
Jews Of The Earth Daniel Ziskin, PhD; President
StEPP Foundation Bruce Dines
SunJuice Solar LLC Alison Mason, Owner
Environmental Energy Solutions Joel N. Gordes
People's Action for Clean energy Judi Friedman, Chair
Green
Environmental & Energy Study Institute Carol Werner, Executive Director
Greenpeace
New Uses Council William Holmberg, Executive Director
Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project Michele Boyd
The Stella Group, Ltd. Scott Sklar, President
SUN DAY Campaign Ken Bossong, Executive Director
Throwplace.com/Throwplace Ltd. Donna Lomangino, President
Safe Earth Alliance Dr. Dorthy K. Cinquemani, Chair
Windhunter Corporation David Nicholson, President
Nuclear Watch South Glenn Carroll, Coordinator
Snake
River
New Community Project David Radcliff, Director
No New Nukes Carolyn Treadway
Nuclear Energy Information Service Dave Kraft, Director
Coalition for Health Concern, Inc. Corinne Whitehead
Yggdrasil (project of Earth Island Institute) Mary Davis, Director
Cheaper, Safer Power William S. Linnell, Spokesperson
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space Bruce K. Gagnon, Coordinator
Anacostia Watershed Society Robert E. Boone, President
MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association Peter Lowenthal, Director
Nuclear Information & Resource Service Michael Mariotte, Executive Director
Nuclear Policy Research Institute Julie R. Enszer, Executive Director
C-10 Foundation Sandra Gavutis, Executive Director
Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Richard Lawrence, Director of Special Projects & Education
Chris Fried Solar Chris Fried, Principal
Citizens Awareness Network Deb Katz
Northeast Organic Farming Association / Mass Chapter Julie Rawson, Executive Director; Frank Albani, President
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Nancy Hazard, (former) Executive Director
Solar Design Associates, Inc. Steven and Marilyn Strong, Principals
Citizens' Resistance at Fermi Two Keith Gunter
Coalition
for a Nuclear Free
Don't
Waste
Home for Peace and Justice Joan McCoy, Co-ordinator
Missourians for Safe Energy Mark Haim
Oasis Montana Inc. Chris Daum
Sunelco, The Sun Electric Company, Inc. Tom Bishop, President
Aqua Sun International Greg Hanson, President
Citizen Alert Peggy Maze Johnson, Executive Director
RenewableEnergyAccess.com Jim Callihan, President & CoFounder
NEW
Coalition for Global Warming Solutions Carlos Rymer
Coalition
for Peace and Justice UNPLUG
ABUZZ Media Robert Andruszkiewicz
Citizens
Nuclear
Rainshine Unlimited LLC Rain Lee
Sustainable World James C. Wernicke, P.E., LEED AP; President
Bright Power Inc. Jeff Perlman, President
Citizens Regional Transit Corporation Gladys Gifford, President
Council on Intelligent Energy & Conservation Policy Michel Lee, Esq.; Chairman
Eco-NRG Ron Leonard Owner
Law Offices of Stephen Filler Stephen Filler
Renewable
Energy
Solar and Wind FX Inc. Chris Schaefer
SustainableBusiness.com Rona Fried, President
Tristate Solar Inc Douglas F Roether V.P.; N.Y.C. Licensed Master Electrician
Wellness
Institute of Greater
Canary Coalition Avram Friedman, Executive Director
Charlotte
Area Green Party
EnergyXchange Sarah Hoyle
North Carolina Citizens Research Group Wells Eddleman, Staff Scientist
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Jean Larson, Peace and Environment Team co-chair
Farmers Green Power Harvey Wasserman
R.A.Energy International, Inc Qadwi Bey
Bergey Windpower Co. Mike Bergey, President
3EStrategies Cylvia Hayes, Executive Director
Citizen Power David Hughes, Executive Director
Common Sense Energy James Friar
Concern About Radiation In the Environment Karen Prather
EFMR Monitoring Group Eric Epstein, Coordinator
SunPower Builders Jon Costanza
Three Mile Island Alert, Inc., Kay Pickering and Bill Cologie
U.S.A. Nica Windpower, Inc. Wm. Wharton Smith III
Shundahai Network Pete Litster, Executive Director; Eileen McCabe, Associate Director
Global Resource Options, Inc. Jeffery D. Wolfe, P.E., Vice President
Sustainable Energy Resource Group Bob Walker
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation Beth Sachs, Executive Director
Bob Lawrence & Associates Bob Lawrence, President
Collaborations Scott Denman
Precursor Systems, Inc. Aviv Goldsmith, President
Port
Orchard United
Waste Action Project Greg Wingard, Executive Director
Citizens
Utility Board of
Great Northern Solar Christopher LaForge
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation Janet Brandt, Executive Director