New DOE study on Green House Gases

DOE is expected to release a new study on greenhouse gases next week. It outlines a scenario for major reductions in CO2 emissions over the mid to long term that may have overall net costs that are at or below zero. The study recognizes that the transition won’t be easy and will require a vigorous national commitment, but indicates that it is feasible and holds many important opportunities for the nation.

Five major national laboratories have been working for over a year to identify and evaluate demand and supply side technologies that are available now or will be in the next decade, and to analyze prospects for their implementation. These technologies taken together with a carbon trading system (at significantly lower prices than earlier analyses have suggested) make a workable combination involving end use and supply-side efficiency improvements, some conversion of coal fired power plants to natural gas, and renewable sources.

(This advance notice is off the record. Please don’t contact DOE until the report is released.)