There are thousands of conventional oil and gas wells in Warren County, many of them in the Allegheny National Forest, and even in winter they are checked weekly. The access roads must be plowed to allow a pickup truck or, more commonly, an ATV to reach the pump jacks. Many of the pumps are on timers powered by electric lines that have been run through the forest-sometimes well buried and sometimes simply hanging from tree branches. The pumps push the oil into large holding tanks scattered throughout the area, and the gas is piped to large transfer stations and then further on to consumers. As I have said in previous posts, I use the access roads to hike and bike into what otherwise would be inaccessible parts of the forest. In all my travels I have never witnessed a major leak of either oil or gas on the surface, although sometimes a passerby can smell the gas leaking near a well.
The main problem exists with the thousands of old wells that companies classify as “active”, despite them not having produced for years. With that classification there are no laws dictating how much methane can be legally released, and the companies that simply abandon the wells have no incentive to maintain any pipes and seals that may be leaking. Lack of enforcement means that some 11% of gas wells are leaking methane at various rates, and many of these leaks are miles from civilization-so it is out of sight out of mind to the general public. The DEP has asked for the private sector to help in plugging old wells leaking oil or gas, although regulations to address the abandoned wells have been opposed by the oil and gas industry.
This issue cannot be solely blamed on the Republicans catering to big business, at least in the sense that most of us still burn oil or gas in our homes and automobiles. Big houses and big SUVs and trucks are as popular as ever in America. Until, if, and when, the United States transitions to renewable energy sources… gas and oil and coal will remain the primary sources of our power. The Biden administration will attempt to move us into the future, but this is how we stand worldwide as of 2020 :
Published on 23/01/2020
Research carried out by scientists at Stanford University has predicted that the world could be run by renewable energy alone in 20-40 years.
There are a number of countries leading the way with this, by generating a significant proportion of the energy they use from renewable sources.
Iceland
Iceland is the world's leader in renewable energy generation and produces more electricity per person than any other country on earth. Nearly 100% of their energy comes from renewable sources because of their unique landscape. Iceland generates hydropower and geothermal energy, which produces around 95% of the country's heating.
Iceland’s current power generation totals approximately 19 TWh annually, which makes Iceland the world’s largest electricity generator per capita with 55,000 kWh per person; in comparison, the EU average is 6,000 kWh.
Norway
Norway produces 98% of its energy from renewable sources. Hydropower has been the primary source of the production for some time, but both wind and thermal energy contribute to Norwegian electricity production.
Kenya
Kenya currently produces 70% of energy from renewable sources and aiming to be 100% powered by green energy by 2020.
Uruguay
In the last ten years, Uruguay managed to significantly reduce its carbon footprint without government subsidies and without an increase in consumer costs. This has been achieved through a positive governmental regulatory environment which encourages the public and private sectors to work together. Power cuts, which were a significant issue in the country, were also reduced as a result.
The growth of renewables also attracted energy investment and now accounts for 15% of the country's annual GDP.
Sweden
In 2015 Sweden decided to challenge the world with the ambitious goal to eliminate its use of fossil fuel by 2050. Sweden has increased its investment in solar power, wind power, energy storage, smart grids and clean transport.
Germany
You might not think Germany has the weather to be a solar energy hotspot, however, they are one of the world's leaders in the sector. Currently, renewable energy in Germany provides more electricity than its coal and nuclear output combined.
China
China is among the most prominent investors in renewable energy. They produce around 25% of their total energy from renewable sources, however, they still use huge volumes of energy from non-renewable sources. This has meant that although China is one of the most prominent investors in renewables an increase in the growth of the country resulted in a surge of CO2 emissions in 2018.
UK
In the UK, wind power is the main contributor to renewable energy production. Currently, Scotland able to produce enough renewable energy to power all its homes and businesses without the need for any fossil fuels. The UK now produces more energy from wind farms than it does from coal.
USA
Just 18% of energy comes from renewable sources, and this could fall further. In the country’s 2020 budget, renewable energy budget fell to $700 million, a significant drop from figures as high as $2.3 billion in previous years.
So Beth and I are conscious of our energy use but still leave the lights on too long sometimes. While the debate over climate change is over, what to do about it is as contentious as ever. Seeing how poorly Americans have cooperated over co-vid- a disease killing us right in front of our eyes and a disease that a man living right down the road from us still claims is a “hoax” –even 441,000 deaths later- makes me think that Americans will be some of the last people at the table. The corporations are taking the lead with electric vehicles and other innovations, but that same man and millions more like him have no interest in facts and insist that electric motors can never replace internal combustion engines. They either ignore or deny the specifications that are rapidly changing in favor of the former. So the potential is there for solar or wind or some other renewable source to power a non polluting future, but the technology and infrastructure is not fully here yet and the resistance among the fossil fuel adherents is deeply ingrained.
Meanwhile I walk and bike the oil and gas and logging roads because they make woods travel much easier. I know the politics and the science and the hypocrisies in all of us and live my life the best I can, however flawed.
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