Energy challenges for US
Synchronicity. Barack Obama arrives in his native Hawaii this week, to visit his grandmother, and Newsnight's just come back.
Earlier this month, I spent some time in two states, Hawaii and Oklahoma, talking to people there about the sort of energy future they want for their country - Oklahoma, because of its historic entanglement with oil, and Hawaii, because it's a state that has embraced renewable energy like no other. The film is on Thursday's Newsnight - but you can watch it now - with a bonus extra - below.
The idea was to forget what the think-tanks tell us about how Americans think, and to try to find out for myself if they are ready to break past links with oil, and to make any changes in the way they live as scientists telling us we all face unprecedented home-grown changes in the world's climate. It wasn't a scientific test, but in three short days (actually they felt long), I met some extraordinary people.
The trip began in Oklahoma, ranked fifth of the country's oil-producing states. The people here live and breathe oil, and have done for generations. I met Melvin Moran, the 78 year old oil man and former mayor of Seminole. This sleepy town witnessed an oil-rush in the late 1920s so profound that at the time it was producing a third of the world's oil.
Melvin told me how his father arrived in Oklahoma, aged 16, from Latvia. He slept in the truck he bought with a $1000 bank loan and built the family business first by buying scrap metal from oil contractors, then by selling oil for himself.
Melvin thinks it "silly" not to drill for oil in Alaska, because Americans use 21 million barrels of oil a day and are importing some 11 million of those. But he also sees a time when demand for energy at home and abroad is so vast that to neglect other energy sources - from nuclear to wind to solar - would be negligent too. He's a lifelong Democrat, but his biggest fear is that the politicians' promises to reform America's energy system will wither after the election.
Then there were the skydivers, passing time at the weekend by jumping out of planes. One summed up the pressure on Joe America. He told me that when families can't afford to pay for the oil to drive their kids to school then that's when it really hurts. What Americans want most is energy independence, he said. And fuel at a price they can afford.
The sky-diving school, with its lazy music and relaxed instructors, runs out of the tiny airport of Cushing - in the shadows of hundreds of oil storage tanks. More Mid-West than Cushing it would be hard to find. The town is self-styled as "the oil pipeline crossroads of the world". This is where pipes from north, south, east and west of the country converge - truly the heart of the US oil infrastructure - taking oil in and sending it back out. It's easy here to understand just how entrenched America's oil habit has become.
And easy then to understand the woman we spoke to from one of the companies running a wind farm in south west Oklahoma - Vanessa Kellogg of Horizon Wind Energy. She says America is ready to turn to alternatives, but needs a new infrastructure, new arteries and veins to carry electricity generated on Oklahoma's windy plains out to the towns and cities. It's been done before for oil, then for cars with the highways, and then there was the information superhighway for computing.
What she wants now is a clean-energy highway. There was mention of a "smart grid" early in the run up to the election. That's a national grid that lets customers sell back excess electricity that they generate themselves, and regulate the power they use to times when it's cheap. But that seems lost now in the electoral rhetoric of failing economies and financial crises.
Next stop, Hawaii. Barack Obama's home state. Here, oil and gas prices are the highest in the country, because it's all shipped by tanker. And the desire to be truly energy independent is all the stronger for that. Hawaiians have set themselves the toughest renewable targets of any state in America - and tougher than either presidential candidate is aiming for. It has helped that the political will here has been strong, at all levels. Though there ARE fears that come the end of this year, tax breaks that have lured businesses and individuals to take up carbon-free energy face the axe.
I was struck again by the pragmatic approach of the people we met, and by just how much they really DO want to make more of their energy from non-polluting sources. After all, it's there for the taking on this volcanic island (goddess Pele permitting). Michael Kaleikini, who manages the Puna geo-thermal planet, told me that one in five homes on the Big Island where he was born now runs on geo-thermal electricity. Hawaii could make more of this natural source of energy, he says, and wants the state to help develop that.
Then there was the army family I met at Schofield Barracks. Jaime Trujillo, father of twins and a seven year old, was within days of his fourth tour of duty in Iraq when we met him - more on his mind then than how green his electricity is. Jaime and his family live in one of the new houses on the base that will eventually be part of the largest solar-powered residential community in the world, according to the developers. He wants to be green, but needs help to do that. He told me that with more feedback on how much he's spending each month on electricity in his home, he'll change his habits and cut back.
At the other extreme, we spoke to wealthy holidaymakers from the mainland at the exclusive beach resort where Steve Jobs apparently takes his breaks from the wired world (there's no internet in the huts on the beach). Even here, there's talk at the tables of recession and redundancy. Though there are families who at least SAY they want to cut back on the number of cars they drive and trips they take, and on the power they use at home. Not much talk of climate change, though lots about saving money and being independent of foreign fuel.
Back home and the Government here has just accepted a call to cut emissions by 80 % by 2050. I'll be 88 by then. There's no such target yet in place in America - though there might be come Christmas. Overall, it strikes me that Americans are much like the rest of us. They're ready to make changes if it doesn't cost too much - or even saves them money. Many are driven by a desire to be independent of foreign powers they see as a threat. They'd all like to see more leadership from their politicians.
The phrase climate change barely merited a mention by most of the people we spoke to. Even Steve Ryan, the scientist who has spent the last 30-odd years working at Hawaii's Mauna Loa laboratory, told me that climate change is not something he worries too much about. His is the lab at the top of the world, famous for identifying the upward trend in carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
Steve seemed a naturally optimistic kind of guy. He described himself as an "early adopter", and told me he was one of the first three kids in his school to buy a calculator, at a time when they cost a significant amount of money. Everyone told him he didn't need one, because slide-rules were perfectly adequate, but he thought they were cool. Now he lives "off grid" - that's cool too.
He thinks technology is so relentless and people so adaptable and ingenious that none of us need fear for the future. People will change to low-carbon energy because "it's just the smart thing to do." I like that.
Watch the film:
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Comment number 1.
At 22nd Oct 2008, barriesingleton wrote:WOT NO CONTINUITY?
Did I fail to spot some reference to algae in this piece? Not a week back, Susan flashed Harry Hart* to the bloggers, (although Newsnight did not deem him worthy) and now, here she is on Hawaii, HOME OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL ALGAE/BIO-DIESEL RESEARCH since 2007, and we get no mention.
Susan: as I remember, a camera-person visited Harry, not you. YOU should visit Harry in person and then Greg Peachey of FREdome - even me if you like. Sea, sun and algae, with secondary factors of 'waste' water and CO2-rich emissions, with the sort of inspiration that Harry emanated for decades, are of enormous potential, and should not be just touched on. Algae are about Planet Change with associated CO2 reduction - the greenest shade of green.
*Harry Hart is an unsung hero. He and his colleagues were way ahead of the rest, decades ago. Find him at Global Eco.
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Comment number 2.
At 22nd Oct 2008, NutitanicPassenger wrote:With the exponential growth in world population, I think 'all' efforts to reduce Carbon emissions can at very best do nothing more than slow down how much it is being increased in the first place. Therefore climate change must be 'inevitable'........ and our chances of surviving that change will depend on energy and lots of it....gas, oil, coal, are all completely unreliable and far too expensive.....the way I see it, the most important thing we could be doing right now is putting 'everything' we have into developing all forms of alternatives that will be 'independent' unlimited and cheap enough for all.
I actually believe it should be given the kind of priority that is given to a war effort. We do already have the technology and it can only keep on improving.
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd Oct 2008, JunkkMale wrote:One for you, Barrie:
UK announces world's largest algal biofuel project
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Comment number 4.
At 23rd Oct 2008, kkazza wrote:Hope you offset your carbon emissions.
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Comment number 5.
At 23rd Oct 2008, barriesingleton wrote:TRUST THE CARBON TRUST
Thanks Junkk. How I wish it were some other agency. Pretty sure Harry Hart (and possibly myself) poked the Carbon Trust about algae. They look set to spend a lot of money 'rushing about doing good', duplicating work already done. Usual guff about algal strains yielding different advantage (cue GM) but the bottom line is - unless you have high order bio-security, certainly not achieved in open pools - the local algal 'boys' come round and lean on your nancy strain, and take over your facility. .
I should add that it is pretty obvious that we will shortly arrive, by a known route, or by fringe science, at a plentiful supply of electricity, but Harry et al's 'Plan Plan' was for taking back into productivity, badlands and deserts using sun, sea and elegance.
We need a TV show like 'Now Get Out of That' where a bunch of entrepreneurs are dumped on a desert coast and told to make it bloom. What we DON'T need, is the Carbon Trust, predictably, going the wrong way - before quietly folding due to cuts.
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Comment number 6.
At 23rd Oct 2008, JunkkMale wrote:You are welcome:)
Though, what is it about entities that end in 'Trust' that seem to inspire anything but in those who are exposed to their vision?
Sadly, we share a similar view of quangos, and especially those appointed by, funded via and hence beholden to those who created them.
Vast empires of persons, pay, perks and pensions, whose first aim is to secure budgets and then blow them on comms exercises mainly aimed at self-justification and/or securing more funding than actually applying much to any..DOING, as such.
I anticipate a major round of announcements in this regard soon, as part of looking like something might happen to make my kids' future better, but not really getting round to anything tangible.
Doubtless ably shared in PR support by a quick trip to a snowy place in a helicopter by all the usual suspects and their crews from you know who to tell 'us' what awaits if 'we' don't sort ourselves out.
Trust me.
Yours in hoping we share the right rocket when the world really catches cold...
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Comment number 7.
At 23rd Oct 2008, simonut038 wrote:This article is a classic example of misleading advertising. It was sold as "How the US is planning for a post-oil world".
Living In Canada I thought this is news as I have never noticed a hint of such a plan in North America.
I found the article to be simply anecdotal to the effect indeed that no-one knows or has a plan. It reveals the appalling weak spot that Britons have for Americans to tolerate their foolishness, obsessions and mindless optimism.
They are constantly getting themselves and the rest of the world into one short-sighted mess after another, whether it is mortgage bubbles or an ill-founded war on Iraq. Britons with stars in their eyes only seem too keen to follow and swallow the nonsense, in return for the delusion of a "special relationship ( to the emperor with no clothes)."
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Comment number 8.
At 23rd Oct 2008, Richard Ralph Roehl wrote:Susan Watts' article is rather upbeat... however it too convenient-lie ignores the biggest gorrilla in the room: the DOCTRINE OF PERPETUAL GROWTH of the global economy and the human population on Planet Earth, a host organism of FINITE space and FINITE resources.
So Sue. You don't yet see the big picture facing the very survival of humankind (a.k.a: ewe-man-unkind).
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Comment number 9.
At 23rd Oct 2008, quietattittood wrote:I have just been watching Newsnight and Susan Watts' report on oil in the US. I was particularly struck by the reference to things having to be turned on their head. There is no doubt that cost rather than conscience will be the driving force for change but it will be hard as so much of the country is geared to personal transportation.
On a lighter note it was great to see Susan Watts back on the programme, I thought she had left it. Its good to have a very well researched piece, carefully delivered in an interesting and thought provoking way. Susan is very definitely a delight to watch and brightens up Newsnight no end. I
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Comment number 10.
At 24th Oct 2008, Wiseoldlady wrote:Good blog. Always interesting to hear what Americans think about energy. Something no one seems to talk much about is cutting down energy consumption. It always about more.
Why can´t kids walk to school? or cycle or take the bus or carpool?
One of the reasons is that it is too dangerous with all those cars on the road!
The whole situation is irrational, and so, logically, it is failing.
Evolution, it appears proceeds slowly when conditions are stable. When those environmental conditions change, often suddenly, evolution takes a leap. Those unable to adapt cannot survive. Those that do survive do so because they change in response to changing conditions.
We seem to be at that leaping point, where conditions are changing so quickly, we must make radical responses.
Human evolution is, or should be, driven by intelligence rather than instinctive responses. It is no coincidence that- economics- and -ecology- have the same Greek root- eco-:- Home. (Our small planet)
I agree with Steve Ryan, we should trust our intelligence. And our wisdom.
Sue
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Comment number 11.
At 24th Oct 2008, IvanKalinin wrote:For simonut038,
Now and again in America, there is a person that does "know or has a plan." For example, in the last several months there have been a series of TV ads from T. Boone Pickens promoting alternative energy (primarily wind) as the way for America to remain strong in the long run.
He is a wealthy oil-man who sees the end of oil which can be drilled or otherwise harvested, at about 20-30 years from now. He still promotes drilling -- "I say drill, drill, drill. But that misses the point." The point being, world will run out of oil.
He does not think small. He has started a grass roots movement to try to bring his vision of sustainable energy to the attention of both presidential candidates. According to his web site, www.pickensplan.com more than a million persons have signed an electronic petition asking each Presidential candidate to tell America what their plan is for energy independence.
I, at least, see a bit of hope there.
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Comment number 12.
At 24th Oct 2008, fripro wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 13.
At 24th Oct 2008, JohnBusby wrote:Nuclear power offers no independence for the US at its indigenous mining only produces 9% of its uranium demand. Half of the US nukes are supplied with fuel under the Megatons to Megawatts deal with Russian which terminates in 2013.
Meanwhile primary production in Canada and Australia is declining, 18.5% and 10% respectively in 2 years, putting the US and France in competition for dwindling supplies of natural uranium.
Canadian tarsands offer no relief as the synthetic crude oil output depends on supplies of natural gas which are inadequate to cater for its demands.
Its natural gas supplies depend on imported LNG, leaving only coal as an indigenous but depleting fuel.
Little chance therefore of US independence from foreign fuel supplies.
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Comment number 14.
At 24th Oct 2008, stiophand wrote:The Good news is that venture capital and investors are looking for the magic energy solution and are investing in start-ups to hit pay-dirt. I see the C02 question being taken in earnest after November in the US, Bush does not care now at this stage. All Governments are waiting this change. Even McCain recognises there is a problem (even if he sees Drilling and Nuclear as the easy option).
I see no magic bullet but a selection of energy alternatives. Think what Car makers could do if they knew that every new house built had an outside electric socket, every Gas station would have to install electric pumps, every indoor Car park slot. The European car makers still say wait for fuel cell or Hydrogen but massive investment is needed and I don't see the Fuel companies investing now (just Shells way of using up Gas for car transport).
I fear that the coming recession will drop gas prices to that investment is harder to find. Humans have short memories, we're not good at recalling historical lessons....
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Comment number 15.
At 25th Oct 2008, fripro wrote:for the past 200 hundred years man has filled the atmosphere with the debris from fossil fuels which we now belatedly realize has fouled our own nest. Curiously enough that same toxic stew will now provide the fuel that will warm our homes and provide the electric power to run our vehicles and industries, through its conversion to non nuclear heat radiation,while removing existing pollution. This is not alchemy, but the practical application of plasma physics.How do I know this? Because the commercialization of the prototypes necessary to make this happen is already in the works.
Mr Branson, get out your checkbook for I am ready to claim your prize.
Stu Brooklyn, NY
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Comment number 16.
At 17th Dec 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:Energy challenges are not only for the people of the United States; but are the problems for the people around the world.
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