This brochure prepared by some Sierra Club members to provide helpful information to electricity users.

www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/cleanenergy/

Recently, the California energy crisis" has made daily headlines. In 1996, the California electric energy systems were partially deregulated, with the price of wholesale power being set by the marketplace. No new power plants were started, as electricity was available from adjacent states, and the utilities didn't want to spend the money. The price to consumers was capped to avoid anyone having to pay "too much". When the wholesale prices went up, the utilities still had to sell energy to the customers, but at a loss. Eventually, the ability of the utilities to pay was questioned by lenders and other utilities, who didn't want to sell energy to California utilities. Clearly, people must pay for what they receive, whether directly or through taxes to prevent collapse of a business.

Combustion of carbon (wood, coal, oil, gas, etc.) releases carbon dioxide (CO₂). Greenhouse gases shield the earth from radiating heat while still allowing solar energy in, so the temperature goes up. Our Nation doesn't burn much wood for heat (biomass energy) anymore, but the fossil fuels are the most used. If we can use less of them each year, they will last longer, but eventually we will still run out. Drilling in ANWR for a short-term fix doesn't really help. These fossil substances can be used for chemicals, so burning them may not be the best and highest use.

Solving global warming is simple, but requires attention by citizens and policy makers. A recent US DOE report found that both a moderate and an aggressive global warming response were cheaper than business as usual. The only resource that can cause net reductions in CO₂ emissions is energy efficiency. Efficiency added more than 42% to US energy capabilities since 1970, and an enormous "gap" permits several decades worth of steady moderate reductions in emissions. By then, renewable energy will be economically competitive with fossil fuels. The US has 4% of the World population, yet emits 24% of World CO₂. Efficiently modernizing our energy infrastructure will benefit the World as better practices and technologies emerge.

Petroleum production reached a peak in the United States in 1974. For the entire world, production may be on the decline after 2004. Oil and gas, like coal, won't last forever, since we are using it faster than it was stored in the ground. Other energy sources will eventually be needed. We tend to make short-range decisions based mainly on cost, but a longer planning cycle would save us energy and money. When you build a new home, the heating/cooling goes into a mortgage of perhaps 30 years, so the total cheapest heat/cooling over that period would be best. Renewable energy must be more seriously considered and widely implemented.

Nuclear power is heavily subsidized, which means taxpayers pay the subsidies. The spent fuel problem raises many arguments, since storing it at the plants seems risky, yet shipping it to a remote area like Yucca Mountain, Nevada means carrying it through many urban areas. Many years ago, someone said "Nuclear energy will be too cheap to measure!" The Nation now realizes that those supplied with nuclear power still receive electricity bills, although not all the costs are included (as is the case with coal, natural gas, and oil plants). As nuclear plants age, the radiation causes hardening of components, and maintenance is costly. Decommissioning a plant is also expensive; these are costs to be paid in the future if not billed now. Nuclear power is attractive as it produces high power levels like fossil fuel plants, but disliked due to the radioactivity and total overall costs.

In the future, when oil and coal reserves are so depleted that the remainder is too expensive for normal use, only energy from the sun will be economically useful. Renewable energy sources are replenished by the sun's radiation. This solar energy causes our cycle of rainfall (which can be stored behind dams to supply generators), heating, the winds, and plant growth. Direct solar power can heat homes, food, water, and dry materials. The best kind for any given area varies greatly, and cost studies are necessary to find the best source. These sources are so variable that a mixture of them provides more reliable energy source.

Simply limiting the number of lights turned on is a good approach. Don't use outside lights all night, but replace the fixtures with motion-detector lamps. A potential burglar won't know if someone turned the light on or it was automated. Think of all the energy saved!

Inside your home, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) save money over their life. They cost more at first, but last far longer, so you don't have to change them so often. Meanwhile, their low energy consumption saves you money over the old-fashioned incandescent lights.

Look for the Energy Star label on appliances for cost information. Choose wisely.

If you live in a sunny southern area, a solar energy collector on your roof can save energy for heating water, and you will no longer have such high electricity or gas bills. An analysis can tell you how long until the installation cost is paid off and "free energy collection" begins.

Transportation also uses energy that competes with energy plants for fuel. When more heating oil is needed, refineries distill more fuel oil and less gasoline. If you have a low gas mileage vehicle like an SUV, you know how much it costs to fill it as prices go up. Perhaps Internet videophone conference can avoid a business trip by airplane.

Buses and light rail transit can often get you someplace comfortably, and you can read while riding, saving your precious time.

Walking, jogging, and bicycling seem more rational than driving a car to the gym to walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike. Lobby for urban/suburban trails. Get outdoors!

For most homes, determine where your electrical energy is used. The bill payer has the most incentive and feedback, but a family meeting may be helpful.

Look at other fuel costs like gasoline and heating fuel. Compare these monthly prices and the total annual costs. Perhaps one of your bills is the most costly, and reducing this use first might cut costs the most.

Do you make several trips to stores during a day? Could one be delayed to combine with another tomorrow? If you did several errands at once, you would save your time as well as your money.

Perhaps you keep your air conditioner on all year long. Why not dress more warmly in the winter and lighter in the summer? You could then set your thermostat so that you were almost uncomfortable when the system began to heat or cool. Keep yourself comfortable instead of the whole house.

Contact these sources by Internet: www.sierraclub.com, www.sierraclub.org/energy/, www.energy.gov, hes.lbl.gov/HES/librarian.html, www.nrel.gov, www.energystar.gov. Use a search engine like www.google.com to find your interests.

References: AWEA: Tom Gray, memo 3/27/2001.