Climate Change

The image of the corporation, especially those that engage in any kind of environment-affecting business, has never been rosy in this country. In particular, electric utilities have often born the brunt of any criticism surrounding the environment or climate, perhaps best epitomized in the 1993 film Erin Brockovich.

Ahead of the opening session of the United Nations, where heads of state are slated to discuss global climate change and the divisive issue of carbon dioxide emission reductions, the group The Yes Men, known for championing liberal causes by parodying prominent public officials and companies, flooded the streets of New York City with satirical versions of the New York Post.

It is evident that the United States must address concerns regarding energy security and climate change.  With the current state of the economy and the progression of energy initiatives within the new administration, there must be a practical format of addressing the realistic concerns for our future. Recently, CSIS and WRI released the report, “A Roadmap for a Secure, Low-Carbon Energy Economy: Balancing Energy Security and Climate Change”, which outlined practical recommendations for the administration and Congress.

A portion of the $30 billion chunk of the stimulus designed to go toward energy modernization will be used to develop a “smart” power grid.  This involves equipping the national grid with computers and sensors in order to better monitor and oversee the flow of energy.

Panelists, speaking yesterday at the CSIS Energy and National Security conference, “Breakthrough Energy Technologies: The Enabling Role of Basic Science,” discussed findings of a new report released in December, 2008 by the Department of Energy, called, “New Science For a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future.” Experts on the development of advanced technologies discussed how the current gap in investment in scientific research and development is preventing breakthroughs needed to bring about the next generation of