Reducing Carbon Without Reducing Quality : Carol Bowner EPA Administrator from 1993-2001
http://www.wsj.com/articles/reducing-carbon-without-reducing-quality-1444071207
Maintaining and preserving existing nuclear energy in this country is vital to achieving our clean energy and carbon-pollution reduction goals.
Robert Bryce is spot on when he notes that existing nuclear energy is one of the most important factors in helping the U.S. reduce carbon pollution yet doesn’t get the credit it deserves (“How to Lower U.S. Living Standards,” op-ed, Sept. 22). The fact that nuclear energy is carbon-free is especially important in light of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently finalized Clean Power Plan and the broader national focus on transitioning to a clean-energy future. And, as Mr. Bryce points out, this should not be a partisan or political issue. As I’ve said many times, it is inconsistent for someone to be concerned about cutting carbon pollution and not support existing nuclear power. I should know; I used to be against nuclear power but changed my stance after realizing that without it we will likely fall short of our carbon-pollution goals.
In 2014 existing nuclear power accounted for just under 20% of this country’s electricity supply but was responsible for nearly two-thirds of all the carbon-free electricity we generated. The bottom line is that maintaining and preserving existing nuclear energy in this country is vital to achieving our clean energy and carbon-pollution reduction goals, and to do so we must start to value the low-carbon benefits it offers today.
Carol M. Browner
Washington
Ms. Browner served as EPA administrator from 1993-2001.
Energy efficiency and new energy sources are starting to have a major impact on the energy efficiency of economies. Mr. Bryce compares the 2050 California carbon emissions per capita target of 1.88 tons under SB 32 with North Korea today and its $1,800 per capita income, and Mexico’s 3.72 tons and $10,400 in income. He doesn’t mention the other Korea with a per capita income of $28,000 and emissions of 3.1 tons or Switzerland with 25% of today’s U.S. carbon emissions and a higher income per capita.
Over the last 35 years, leading economies were able to more than double per capita income while reducing their per capita emissions by 10% to 30%, mostly by shifting to cleaner fuels.
Peter Luttik
Beverly, Mass.
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