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Caps Undermine Green Solutions

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By JOE LUCAS

Published: October 22, 2007

Often, regulation can have unintended consequences, and we can already see evidence of a negative outcome from Florida's new climate change policies. Tampa Electric Co.'s recent decision to scrap a proposed coal gasification power plant in response to Florida's new greenhouse gas policies actually represents a significant step backward in the fight to reduce global greenhouse gases.

Each new demonstration project propels the coal-based utility sector closer to a shared goal of electricity generation with near-zero emissions, including carbon capture and storage. Similarly, policies that prevent or delay development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies will keep us from moving forward in addressing concerns about climate change. Despite what happens in the United States, global emissions of greenhouse gases will continue to grow until technologies reach developing countries, thus allowing them to expand energy supplies for meeting demand without increasing emissions.

Technology has been the answer to every environmental challenge facing the energy industry over the past three decades, and there is no indication that climate change will be any different. Developing technology to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions, rather than enacting artificial emissions caps, is by far the most cost effective and efficient climate control strategy for the United States and for nations around the world.

We can meet the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector and still rely on domestic energy resources, like coal, for reliable, affordable energy - but only if we favor policies that promote the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies, not those which deter them.

Joe Lucas is executive director, of Americans for Balanced Energy Choices in Arlington, Va.

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