The Senate energy bill, as devised by Senators Lieberman and Kerry, finally emerged after months of political argument in the shadow of the news developing from the Gulf oil spill, caused by the devastating oil rig fire. All of these events mean that energy efficiency and energy in general are hot topics for conversation and organizations should consider their energy needs and use, to see how they can cut down and become “greener.”
The Senate energy bill is causing people to take action all around the nation, as the American Power Act is put forward as a counterpart to the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which was the House of Representatives version of 2009. The Senate proposes that thousands of power plants and power-hungry industries, including refineries, will have to take part in a “cap and trade” scheme. Over the long term, this will reduce greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions.
Carbon emissions are damaging to the world all around us and cause global warming, as we know. The President stated that he wanted to reduce the emissions that we are responsible for by as much as 80% by the time we get to 2050. Such stringent protections will inevitably require comprehensive legislation and it remains to be seen whether the American Power Act will now be developed into legislation this year or next.
Whether or not your organization is directly affected by the Senate’s activity and will have to take part in a cap and trade scheme, one way or the other a higher cost of utilities can be expected. Individual consumers are likely to receive protection under the Senate proposal, so the worst effect of these increases won’t find its way through to them. However, commercial organizations realize that they will have to look at additional costs and it now makes sense to become as efficient and sustainable, as possible.
An energy plan should be part of every organization’s ongoing activities, as the company works out how much energy it needs to operate. Every asset is responsible for energy and should be analyzed to see how efficient it is. Systems must be doctored to track this energy use and to see how many carbon emissions are attached. Legislation of some kind is almost certain to arise and the smart businessman would be prepared.
According to the Senate energy bill, emissions reduction efforts will commence in 2013 and will be gradually accelerated through 2050. There are three different positions right now — the president’s position, the Senate’s position and the lower House position. These must be reconciled, as society is generally pushing for changes in the world of energy, especially as a result of the BP oil spill.
Many organizations are focusing on sustainability and ensuring that they become energy efficient. Carbon emission reduction may be the focus of some, but others realize that if they saved fuel, then they can save money. A lot of people look in horror at the prospect of additional carbon taxes, especially as we emerge from a recession, but an attention to efficiency can only help every organization’s bottom line, come what may.
The second part of 2010 will tell us whether the Senate energy bill is likely to become law, or not. Business leaders should consider the future, consequently.
Daniel Stouffer has much more information about the Senate energy bill and how a visit to www.verisae.com will benefit you.
categories: carbon emissions,environmental damage,climate change,climate,environment
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.