Environment & Energy
In reply to the discussion: Intermittency Of Renewables?… Not So Much [View all]BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)Let me say it one more time, just so people understand the simple truth.
1) Our national electricity demand has been nearly flat for the past half-decade due to conservation. There is no reason to believe demand will suddenly shoot up. Conservation efforts are ongoing.
2) The amount of new electricity we are bringing on to the grid every year is 100 times greater than any possible increase in national electrical demand. Therefore if we leave the existing production in place, we will end up with far more electricity than we need.
SO that means:
a) We NEVER have to build another dirty plant (with dirty meaning coal, natural gas, or nuke). Not this year. Not next year. Not ever.
b) We can start the decades-long process of shutting down the dirtiest and most dangerous plants. And we can start this today.