Politically it gets complex, and the best short article I have found that explains the gas price hike is The Truth About Ukraine, Gas Prices, and U.S. Energy Security in the EarthJustice publication. It bullets answers to the questions: Why are oil/gas prices going up? Would ramping up production help? What can the U.S. do? What can I do? Of course, you can cut down on driving so much, car pool, walk, bicycle, take a train, or trade in your gas guzzler for an electric/hybrid vehicle. I am sure we are already thinking in those directions. I recently invested in an E-Bike (more info to come next month!)
Here is a big answer: Electrification!
“Electrification” means changing over to electrical appliances like an electric stove instead of a gas stove, etc. But when you look at popular articles such as 20 Ways to Break Free From Fossil Fuels, one of the first recommendations is to reduce our consumption of electricity. Why? Of course, it is always better to use less. But look at the amount of fossil fuels used in 2020 by Consumers Power for electricity in Michigan. (See chart below). Consumer’s electricity in 2020 came from 31% natural gas, 19% coal, 8% nuclear, 8% karn oil/gas, 11% energy storage, 12% customer efficiency programs, and 11% renewable energy. By 2025 the amount of natural gas will grow to 40%, and then reduce with a plan to increase renewable sources. But that takes time.
“Electrification” means changing over to electrical appliances like an electric stove instead of a gas stove, etc. But when you look at popular articles such as 20 Ways to Break Free From Fossil Fuels, one of the first recommendations is to reduce our consumption of electricity. Why? Of course, it is always better to use less. But look at the amount of fossil fuels used in 2020 by Consumers Power for electricity in Michigan. (See chart below). Consumer’s electricity in 2020 came from 31% natural gas, 19% coal, 8% nuclear, 8% karn oil/gas, 11% energy storage, 12% customer efficiency programs, and 11% renewable energy. By 2025 the amount of natural gas will grow to 40%, and then reduce with a plan to increase renewable sources. But that takes time.
Electrification works well if our electric company didn’t rely on so much natural gas, coal, nuclear, and karn/oil gas. It works very well if we transition our home electricity to a renewable source, like getting solar panels. The wind turbines in our community are a wonderful step forward. We are blessed. Another excellent plan that we can do in small chunks is to retrofit our homes to be more energy efficient, no matter what energy source we use: natural gas, electric, or propane.
So, what can we do this week that is affordable and anyone can do it? A simple solution is to use a caulk gun. This tip comes right from good old Bob Vila from This Old House, who wrote an excellent article, 9 Ways Your Home Energy Use Combats Climate Change. When my family first decided to look at solar panels, the first advice was to retrofit our home by insulating, and using a caulk gun to get rid of cracks and holes. Here is a simple action you can take this week.
So, what can we do this week that is affordable and anyone can do it? A simple solution is to use a caulk gun. This tip comes right from good old Bob Vila from This Old House, who wrote an excellent article, 9 Ways Your Home Energy Use Combats Climate Change. When my family first decided to look at solar panels, the first advice was to retrofit our home by insulating, and using a caulk gun to get rid of cracks and holes. Here is a simple action you can take this week.
- Weatherstripping and caulking your home. Keep the heat in – or keep the heat out – depending on the season. This will cut down your use of energy no matter what source you use. Be sure to check your windows and doors for tight seals (if you see light shining through the gaps between the window or door and the trim, that’s not good), and caulk and seal them as necessary. I think you may be surprised at what you discover.
- Read resources above to understand the backstory. You may find more ideas!
