NYRI is 'Greenwashing':
The Reality Behind the Environmental Charade of 'Stewardship'
by Kurt Reymers, Ph.D.
STOPNYRI web admin
posted 07.03.2007
In recent press releases, New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) has suggested that they are an environmentally sensitive company, "environmental stewards" even. On their website they boast that "reinforcing New York's aging transmission network will allow surplus generation from renewable and other resources to displace old, less efficient power plants. This will result in cleaner air and a healthier environment throughout New York State." They are jumping on a popular cultural bandwagon of "green thinking" or "ecohype," as more and more citizens are becoming aware and savvy about the effect that our industrial culture is having on local and global environments (and acting accordingly in the marketplace - just look at the sudden popularity of hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Yaris). It is certainly to their benefit to "greenwash" themselves and prompt people to believe that NYRI is a boon to the environment rather than a burden.
But is this belief that NYRI is "green" justified?
What is the reality behind NYRI’s claims as an environmentally friendly company? Let's look at this question using some tables and charts.
- From where does our electricity derive?
- The results of electricity production/transmission on the environment
- The direction and source of growth of electricity production in the U.S.
- NYRI: green marks or black marks for environmental stewardship?
- Conclusion: NYRI is "greenwashing"
First, let’s look at the real source of our electricity.
- Coal -- not wind or solar, neither hydro or nuclear, nor even oil or gas -- generates over half of our electricity and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S. (and the world).
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c01.html
- 9 out of 10 tons of coal mined in the United States goes to generate electricity. Steam is produced from burning coal which is pressurized and released to spin turbines from which electric current is generated.
http://www.teachcoal.org/aboutcoal/articles/coalconvert.html
Using transformers, the electric current is gauged up and down in voltage by companies like NYRI, depending on industrial, commercial and residential necessities, and then delivered to the ultimate point of consumption for the going market rate. As I've explained in another article, the production, distribution and transmission of electric power changed over from a government-regulated operation to corporate control as a result of the deregulation legislation of 1996. This is also relevant to the environmental benefits that the privately-owned NYRI claims, given that government regulation is weak in this area of enforcement.
Next, we need to examine the results of coal-produced/transmitted electricity on the environment.
- Coal plants contribute to well over one-third of the world's overall CO2 pollution, which is the leading culprit of global warming. Coal-generated electricity accounts for 36% of global CO2 emissions and electricity generally accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions. http://www.netl.doe.gov/KeyIssues/climate_change2.html
http://thenumbersguru.com/2006/07/25/record-heat-stresses-electrical-grid-us-utilities-betting-on-coal/
- We should also be aware that the U.S. overall contributes many more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than any other country, amounting to over 30% of the world’s GHGs. We produce the equivalent GHGs of all of the countries listed below, in approximately the proportions indicated:
http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/106
- Coal also accounts for 34% of the mercury health hazard in the U.S. Mercury (Hg) is a developmental neurotoxin, which can lead to slow brain development in infants and children. Nearly 1 in 12 women of childbearing age in the U.S. already have unsafe levels of mercury in the body (600,000 children). http://www.iit.edu/~ipro356s05/files/poster_1_mercury_small.gif
Now let's look at the direction of growth of coal-produced electricity in the U.S.
- The mid-Atlantic region (where one NIETC is conscribed by the DOE) is the region of the U.S. where coal consumption for electricity production is growing faster than all other areas - except New England.
Figure ES2. Electric Power Sector Consumption of Coal by Census Division, 2005
(Million Short Tons and Percent Change from 2004)
http://www.fi.edu/guide/hughes/powerplants.html
- While there has been a recent drop off of coal plant construction, many more coal plants are being planned for the U.S. in the coming decades.
http://www.nuclearoil.com/
Will the electricity transmitted by NYRI get more "green" marks or more "black" marks for environmental stewardship?
- The renewable energy growth sector (windmills, solar power, biomass, etc.), within which wind power is being emphasized strongly by NYRI in their press releases, currently accounts for no more than 2% of the U.S. electricity supply, and even generous estimates of future capacity recognize that 25% will be a very difficult goal to reach, due to the lack of a marketable cost/benefit ratio in the technology of renewable resources.
http://www.fi.edu/guide/hughes/powerplants.html
- Will NYRI in fact spur development in such renewable technologies to improve the cost-to-benefit ratio? It is highly unlikely that a single transmission company alone will sufficiently spur the market forces to develop a whole new level of technologies that have been brimming for over half a century. While NYRI's claims that they will enhance renewable energy sources are not outright false, they are certainly stretched and focused far beyond the more likely detrimental environmental concerns involved (it is a lie of omission that they perpetrate).
- In other words, the reality of the situation is contrary to what NYRI would have you believe: they are part of the problem not part of the solution.
NYRI’s position outlined in recent press statements suggesting that they are a “green,” environmentally friendly company is a prime example of “greenwashing” – making themselves appear to be conscious of environmental quality and conservation, when in fact they would be a major contributor to environmental harm and damage. In other words, once again,
NYRI IS LYING.
Is this the kind of company you would put your trust in to manage your energy needs? Is this the kind of company to which you want the federal government to waive your constitutional rights of property ownership? Is this the kind of company that will lead us forward into a 21st century energy future? Is this the kind of company that will respect you and enhance your quality of life? Or is this the old kind of company (unfortunately like many other corporations today) that is SOLELY in it for the money and the power? You decide for yourself. As we have said before, the members of STOPNYRI don't think so.
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