The Case for Nuclear Energy: Promoting Cleaner Coal Practices, Biomass Energy Policies, and Coal Gasification and CO2 Cr

1. 379/384Class Presentations 12/7/06

2. Nuclear Energy The Case for Surging Forward December 7, 2006 Audrea Buckley

3. Historical Overview • 1974- Energy Reorganization Act: founds Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) • Regulate civilian use of nuclear materials • Protect Public and Environment • 1985- Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act: authorized states to dispose of low-level radioactive waste generated within their territory in facilities serving a given group of states • 2001- Price Anderson Act extended to 2025: limits insurance coverage of power plants and protects public from potential plant accidents • 2005- Energy Policy Act: allows continuation of nuclear energy licenses but vows to improve environmental laws while pursuing a “Comprehensive Energy Plan” • THE POINT: Legislation processes are slow, ambiguous, and often contradictory.

4. The Status Quo • Political gridlock regarding expansion of nuclear energy infrastructure • Humanitarian and environmental concerns vastly disproportional to benefits due to • Chernobyl disaster (1986) • Three Mile Island accident (1979) • Technology know-how, including waste disposal options (2006!) • Regulation

5. Technological Advantages of Nuclear Energy • Nominal, if any, environmental pollutant emissions • Safety and operating performance of power plants steadily improves • Waste volumes are small and federally regulated • DOE, NRC, EPA, DOD, DHHS • Energy efficiency output is economically viable in terms of operating costs

6. Political Advantages of Nuclear Energy • Satisfies short- and long-term energy demand • Already have technology • Already have basic infrastructure • Complies with domestic and international norms • Energy Initiative • Kyoto Protocol

7. ATTN: Summary • Considering contemporary and prospective energy needs amid the political demands of society, present U.S. policy ought to compel immediate nuclear energy development in order to provide an energy source that is • sufficient • reliable • economical • secure http://www.fotosearch.com/DGT070/cb028405/

8. Promoting Cleaner Coal Practices for the Generation of ElectricityBen Bayer • Need: Coal Usage to Increase 53% by 2030 • Current Federal Policy is Twofold • DOE sponsorship of “clean coal” technologies • Clean Coal Power Initiative – partners with industry to develop more efficient and lower cost pollution control technologies • FutureGen - prototype “zero emissions” coal gasification plant with integrated CO2 sequestration • EPA regulations force utilities to develop better pollution control equipment to stay in compliance or risk fines • Strong Future Policy Necessary for Environment and Energy Independence • Iraq war currently costs $2 billion/week – this could buy 1 FutureGen plant and 5-500 MW state of the art SO2 scrubbers per week – every week!

9. Biomass Energy Policies Priscilla Ho December 7, 2006 CHE 384

10. Policy Timeline • 2000 – Biomass Research and Development Act • Outlined need for biomass research • Created Technical Advisory Committee • Called for R&D cooperation and coordination between the DOE and USDA • Biomass Initiative • 2002 – Farm Bill • Supported bio-based products • Biorefinery development grants • Provided funds for biomass initiatives • 2003 – Healthy Forest Restoration Act

11. Energy Policy Act of 2005 • First national energy plan in more than a decade • Started in 2001, finished in 2005 • Provide tax incentives and loan guarantees • Promote national security and economic growth • Increasing energy efficient consumer products, homes, and Federal facilities and usage • Extend daylight savings time • Promoting hybrid cars by tax credits

12. Renewable Energy Portfolios

13. Biomass Policy Recommendations • State initiatives • All states participate • Renewable Portfolio Standards (electricity) and Renewable Fuel Standards (ethanol) • Policy – vision, roadmap, task force • Research and Development • Feedstock collection – wide variety • Cost effective conversion technologies • Funding for research • Collaborations between DOE, USDA, etc. and industry (Genencor) to share information • Market Development – lower cost of alternative fuel • Easing biomass to take the place of fossil fuels

14. Questions?

15. References • http://www.awea.org/policy/rpsbrief.html • http://www.ethanol.org/rfs.html • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_basics_faqs.html#incentives

16. Coal Gasification and CO2 CreditsBy David Fenton • Benefit of IGCC lies mainly in CO2 capture and sequestration • COE of IGCC / with capture is 65% higher than that of conventional coal • Currently no national regulations on CO2 emissions • Several state governments have established long-term CO2 caps • Congress considering “cap and trade” type CO2 emission regulation • IGCC technology becomes favorable at CO2 prices above $30/ton • This is in the high range of economic estimates • IGCC does not appear to be an economical choice unless credits are given for sequestered CO2

17. ETHANOL POLICY Recommendations By Eloka Okonkwo & Jayna Bhatt • Redesign the federal ethanol incentive program • Change the ethanol Mandate http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/economy/images/hist.jpg

18. Fischer-Tropsch PoliciesJoe Wendland Historical Montana Federal Executive Legislative Judicial Department of Defense Department of Energy Recommendations

19. Fusion Policy Conclusions Katharine Harrison, 12-7-2006 • Fusion research has had an erratic history of budget inflations and cuts • United States has recently entered the international fusion research agreement: ITER • It is imperative that funding remain more constant so that the U.S. can uphold their international commitments • Currently, DOE and Congress disagree on allocation of fusion funding • DOE wants to focus funding on ITER • Congress wants to fund ITER but also maintain domestic fusion research • Retaining a domestic fusion program is important since there are other technologies that ITER will not examine • It will be difficult to get fusion to work • Thus, the current funding is enough given the risk that fusion energy could never be commercialized

20. Wind Energy Policy SummaryHaley Norris • Federal Production Tax Credit • 1.9 cent per kWh electricity sold • First ten years of project life • Renewable Portfolio Standards • State goal to reach % renewable capacity • Electricity Feed Laws - Europe • Pay fixed price to generators of renewable electricity

21. Michael Metting Hydrogen Fuel Policy Recommendations • Increase Government Funding (Currently Spend 50% Less Than Japan) • Focus On Public Transportation • Develop Small Scale Technology

22. H2ICE Policy RecommendationsScott Owens • Proactive Safety Standards Creation • Market Pressure • CAFE – ramp up, credits for H2ICE • Similar emissions requirements • Existing Infrastructure • Federal support of existing infrastructure • Public Access • Fleet Vehicles (Public Transit, USPS, etc) • Incentives • Tax Deductions • Rebates

23. DRIVING INTO THE FUTURE WITH PLUG-IN HYBRIDS: POLICIES Presented By: ‘Banke Funsho Temi Phillips 11/28/06

24. What are Plug- in Hybrids? • Automobiles which can run on multiple sources of fuel. • Improved technology from regular hybrid; > 100mpg Aim of Policies? Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, foreign dependency on oil, creating more efficient vehicles • What are the Applicable Policies? • Oil-Saving Policy- More efficient cars on the road • Transportation Policy- HOV lane access at all times • Federal Income Tax- By virtue of purchase • State Tax Incentive- Removal of state sales tax • Rebate Incentives- Rebate on license plate registration • Insurance Incentives- Reduced car insurance premium Proposed: Program granting funds to authorities contributing to development of PHEV’s.

25. Policy – Global warming Global dimming – Nick Policy is driven by need Pin the problem to health affects Old policy = coming of ice age New policy = heating up SOLUTION: Kyoto and the U.S. Necessary to combat together Reductions in So2, NOx, CO2, particulates

26. Recommendations: Electric Vehicle Policy • Re-initiate Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate • Offer competitive incentives to producers of EV’s • Initiate legislation to improve battery technology • Introduce new campaigns in Texas to promote EV’s • Ask your congressman/woman to increase spending on EV research and development • Grant larger tax breaks and insurance discounts to consumers Anna Paredez and Amish Dalal

27. Policy on Diesel in AmericaRyan Macaluso & Wayne LaDow Diesel engine efficiency America’s policy towards diesel More geared towards environment Comparisons to European policy Not many can be made Revised policy

28. RecommendationsFelicia and Vanessa • Enact new policies • Pay -as-You-Drive • Powered truck stops • Phase out school/public busses to renewable energy • Follow lead of other states • California Low Emission Vehicle Program • CO2 emissions trading program • Attract companies to promote Global Warming reducing programs in Texas • Legislators • Comprehensive plan • Long term plans for combating effects of Global Warming • Costal areas shrinking • Drought/ floods • Look at alternatives to coal fire plants

29. Recommendations for Biomass Technology in India & TexasAndrea French and Nicole Munguia Texas • Federal subsidies should be shifted from nuclear and fossil power to renewable resources. • Implement more “green pricing” programs across the country. • City governments should join The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and create a ‘Carbon Reduction Strategy’ with finite goals. Encourage Autonomy Within Indian Villages • Involve women • Increase training for use, maintenance, repair, finance • Use existing village groups • Stock materials, tools, accessories, and spare parts in decentralized stores • Maintain regular and open communication • Beneficiary contribution for stake Government Strategies • Streamline funding • Refine alternative feed stocks

30. Federal Policy • Strengthen environmental legislation • Stabilize the Production Tax Credit (PTC) schedule • Keep benefits for public utilities and rural areas • Pass Rural Energy for America Act • State and Local Policy • Increase Direct Investment Incentives • Continue tax incentives (Income, Property, Sales) • Keep updating Renewable Portfolio Standards Wind Power Recommendations http://www.eurotrib.com/files/3/E70_seule.jpg

31. Solar Power Policy SummaryBruce and Robert • Past Policies • Benefited businesses more than residents • Current Policy • California – “California Solar Initiative” • Texas – Exemptions and deductions on franchise tax • Future Policy • – Reduction in fees and tax credit extensions • Recommendations • Modify current tax incentive • Offer low interest loans for solar installations • More Govt. investment into R&D

32. CO2 Capture Policy By: Michael Ng

33. CO2 Capture Policy • United States does not believe global warming is a major concern • President Bush believes carbon intensity can be reduced without slowing the economy • Advocate the use of post-combustion CO2 capture technology (PCT) or integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) for reduction of CO2 levels • Different CO2 capture strategies differ for each regions around the world

34. Solar Photovoltaic PolicyChris Lombardo • Research Funds • $648 million from 2007-2010 to become cost completive by 2015 • Tax Incentives • Income tax credit – 20% - 30% of invoice • Property tax – no added taxable value • Sales tax – makes large difference to consumer but little to government • Rebates • Need to offer over $4/Watt rebate • Tie into technology industry like Austin Energy

35. ConclusionsJorge M. Plaza • Future of world’s energy supply is an intricate problem. • Solution must include economic development and sustainability. • Hydrogen is one of the options • Technical Challenges • Policy conditions that need to be established. • The answer needs to include all possible technologies. • Consistent policies on a local and global scale. • More investment in R&D is needed. • Hydrogen depends on CO2 sequestration + Security Policy • Hydrogen can not depend on market forces • Government involvement (subsidies, taxes, incentives) • Financed by stakeholders

36. SummaryAdam Womack and Patrick Blomberg • Multinational cooperation needed to develop wave energy rapidly • United States policy should include more than political buzzwords • West Coast between 40 and 60 latitude (N&S) could provide 10% of world need • Severn Barrage alone could manage 6% Wales/England need

37. U.S. Nuclear Policy Recommendations • For sustainability… • Proliferation-resistant reprocessing – implement when mature, subsidize if needed • Permanent disposal measures • Additional sites besides Yucca Mountain • To foster growth in the industry… • Change negative public attitude • Outreach programs • Economic incentives • Carbon emissions credit Robert Tsai

38. Hydrogen Policy Matios Yeknian ChE 379

39. President Bush’s 2003 State of the Union address • $1.2 billion Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, describing it as a clean and secure energy future. • In 1999, the California Fuel Cell Partnership was formed • So far this partnership has built 16 hydrogen fueling stations with plans to build an additional 15 and is operating 95 hydrogen powered vehicles. • On July 21, 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a hydrogen highway bill. • Billions of dollars needed to realize a hydrogen future

40. US Hydrogen Policy Matios Yeknian ChE 379

41. Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1990 –R&D program • Hydrogen Future Act of 1996-184 million dollars appropriated to hydrogen research • FreedomCAR – Agreement between DOE and Council of Automotive Research • President’s Hydrogen Initiative-1.2 billion dollar program • Energy Policy Act 2005 – more R&D, Storage, Distribution and Production • MORE MONEY NEEDED!

42. Federal Policy • Strengthen environmental legislation • Stabilize the Production Tax Credit (PTC) schedule • Keep benefits for public utilities and rural areas • Pass Rural Energy for America Act • State and Local Policy • Increase Direct Investment Incentives • Continue tax incentives (Income, Property, Sales) • Keep updating Renewable Portfolio Standards Wind Power Recommendations http://www.eurotrib.com/files/3/E70_seule.jpg

43. Biodiesel Production • Economic Growth • U.S. economic contributions of Biodiesel • Creating Demand for Biodiesel • While Keeping Cost Low • Increasing Economy of Scale • Plants not operating at full capacity • State vs. Federal Incentives