Executive order alone is not enough

On Dec. 8, President Biden signed an executive order committing the United States to reduce carbon emissions to net zero.

We all should understand what that means in reality. Currently, of the electric power generated in 2020, 60% was from fossil fuel, 20% from nuclear, 20% renewable. In the renewable segment, 16% was from hydroelectric and wind. The balance was from geothermal and solar in this segment. It should be noted, this does not include vehicle power generation.

There has been virtually no expansion of hydroelectric or nuclear in over 30 years. The reasons are rather simple, in both cases geography is the most important factor. For hydroelectric, the need for steady river flow and the ability to dam up potential water is key. In the case of nuclear, the most logical alternative to fossil fuel, the problem again is somewhat geography. The need for reasonable space, with at least five square miles and a local water supply are needed for cooling.

Complicating those issues are cost and the time to build a plant and get it operational. It is estimated that approximately 300 nuclear power plants would be needed to generate enough electricity to replace fossil fuels at current energy needs. To do that construction would literally need to be started tomorrow.

But as difficult as that is, it gets worse. If all road vehicles need to be non-fossil fuel driven, estimates are that power generation would need to double from today's levels.

I do not doubt America could fulfill this objective; however, a commitment to the technologies and the logical process must be laid out. To simply make a statement in the form of an executive order, with virtually no thoughtful planning is simply wishful thinking.

Richard Francke

Bartlett