More Shockingly Good News from Shale Gas

[ALS]

CO2 Emissions Will Likely Fall This Year to 1991 Levels

Dr. Mark J. Perry - BLOGSPOT - July 3, 2012

John Hanger points out on his energy blog that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have fallen so sharply in the first three months of 2012 according to new data from the EIA, that total CO2 emissions this year are on track to drop to the lowest level since 1991, see chart above.

The key driver for the "shockingly good news" that CO2 emissions will probably fall this year to a two-decade low according to John is "the shale gas revolution, and the low-priced gas that it has made a reality, especially in the last 12 months. As of April, gas tied coal at 32% of the electric power generation market, nearly ending coal's 100 year reign on top of electricity markets (see related CD post on this energy milestone). Let's remember the speed and extent of gas's rise and coal's drop: coal had 52% of the market in 2000 and 48% in 2008."
... [Read More]

[Indigo]

While it is awesome that natural gas has displaced so much dirty coal in such a short period of time, the focus on pollution-free energy resources should continue to be developed as quickly as possible. After all, the shale won't last forever either.

[rhwinger]

This is only carbon due to electricty generation. While it's good news, it's not the whole picture.

[Indigo]

Originally Posted by rhwinger

This is only carbon due to electricty generation. While it's good news, it's not the whole picture.

An aspect of the big picture that is often overlooked is the cattle industry. In addition to deforestation, cattle farming creates a vast amount of methane (which is actually a lot worse than CO2). The government seriously needs to stop subsidizing beef.

[herm]

maybe we should send a suggestion to Obama

[Indigo]

Originally Posted by herm

maybe we should send a suggestion to Obama

That would never work. Obama is a conservative. Real change will only come from a bonafide progressive.

[diamondlarry]

You're kidding right?

Originally Posted by Indigo

That would never work. Obama is a conservative. Real change will only come from a bonafide progressive.

[phoebeisis]

Whahhhhttt?
I don't think President Obama is an ideologue liberal/progressive.
He is a slightly left of center pragmatic technocrat-
Something like President Clinton but without the winning personality.
Still I certainly would NOT describe his as a Conservative??

Don't termites produce more methane than cattle? Nasty little bugs!! Guess they have their place in the great scheme of things- but I sure wish it wasn't in my freakin' leaky roofed house!!

Never heard President Obama described as a conservative- he is slightly left of center pragmatic technocrat-Clinton without the extremely winning personality (oh, President Clinton of course-wife doesn't has his political gifts)
Charlie

[dr61]

This points out one of the key advantages of electric cars: as electric energy production becomes cleaner, so do do EVs.

While this is encouraging, one down side of increasing natural gas production is methane leakage during natural gas extraction. How much this offsets the cleaner burning of natural gas compared to coal is uncertain. There is also some leakage of methane from coal mining.

[DrEvil]

Originally Posted by Indigo

That would never work. Obama is a conservative.

Romney(care) is a fricking socialist.