The current energy system is characterized by massive centralized power plants that burn fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil (some nuclear) and then distribute the electricity over power lines to end users.
This system has many flaws that put our environment and economic security in jeopardy. In certain areas, such as Long Island, NY, electricity generation consumes vast amounts of fossil fuels that are scarce and commonly found in sovereign countries not beholden to US national interests. Electricity generation also results in significant emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
Clean energy is no longer a fringe issue. Rather, it has moved into everyday political dialogue for good reason: Power plant emissions are very harmful to human, animal and ecological health.
Pollution
Ultimately, pollution is detrimental to our economic and national security. In response to this growing threat, Congress passed the Clean Air Act of 1970, and substantially strengthened it with subsequent amendments. The Clean Air Act has targeted reductions in emissions such as Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), which cause acid rain, ground level ozone (smog) and atmospheric ozone. Standards are becoming ever more stringent, increasing the costs of energy generation because power plants have been forced to effectively pay a tax on such byproducts. Other emissions such as Mercury (M) and particulates are also very harmful and anticipated regulations are set to mandate a dramatic reduction in output, further increasing traditional power generation costs.
Global Warming
Global warming is a mounting problem that involves the gradual increase of temperatures across the planet. The National Academies of Sciences believes that the Earth's temperature has risen about 1 degree Fahrenheit over past century, and the pace of warming has accelerated in the past two decades. Main causes of this warming are believed to be associated with human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels adds excess carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and this intensifies the well known "greenhouse effect" that traps heat in the atmosphere. This process is vital to human existence, but the significance of this problem stems from the fact that excess heat is being retained.
There are many potential dangers associated with increasing global temperatures, one of which is the rising sea levels and tides. Rising sea levels result from the melting of the ice caps. The negative impact of rising tides might be huge, damaging coastal towns and cities - imagine New York City submerged in a few feet of water.
According to the EPA, much of the problem stems from burning fossil fuels. In fact, fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Burning fossil fuels also emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). There is evidence that we are raising the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere through the greenhouse effect, and many scientists are concerned about the ramifications.
The electricity we consume in our homes contributes to global warming more than we think. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average US home's electricity demand causes 6,200 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, versus average car use that causes 3,000 pounds.
