Saving Energy by Switching to Nuclear
by Francine Hardaway
Published on August 18th, 2008
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“CSR for Dummies” is an Earth911.com series highlighting the different pledges and commitments made by companies in regards to product stewardship and recycling. Companies and services featured do not pay for placement and are not endorsed by Earth911.com.
Duke Energy is the third largest CO2 emitter in the U.S. By diving into its Corporate Sustainability Report, we discover that Duke has a plan to reduce emissions 50 percent by 2030.
This move will involve changing the entire way it generates power. Right now, 70 percent of its power is generated from coal. Duke plans to change all that by shifting to nuclear power, which is an interesting shift that will involve both time and money. By 2030, Duke hopes to cut its emissions to 50 million tons, still a considerable number, but keep in mind, it is an energy company.
Lets look at where the company has been, and more importantly, where it is going.
It’s a Mixed Bag
- Duke’s global CO2 emissions rose from 105 million tons in 2006 to 111 million tons in 2007
- Its U.S. sulfur dioxide emissions dropped from 812,600 tons in 2006 to 684,000 tons in 2007
- Its U.S. nitrogen oxide emissions dropped from 148,600 tons in 2006 to 131,000 in 2007
What’s the Long Term Plan?
Duke is planning to:
- Retire 25 percent of its coal-fired power plants
- Double its nuclear power generation in the Carolinas
- Reduce the average annual growth rate in peak demand by 15 to 20 percent
- Reduce the average annual growth rate in energy consumption by 20 to 25 percent
This is not going to be a bargain for customers, whose rates will go up 70-120 percent or more, if Duke still has to purchase CO2 allowances. Sustainability is no easy feat for an energy company, and interestingly enough, Duke doesn’t look like it’s going to depend on alternative energy for a great deal of its generation.
What’s Around the Corner?
Short range goals include:
- Reducing the nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emission rates of its coal-fired power plants
- This reduction will be 10 percent and 35 percent, respectively, by 2008 compared to 2006
- This emission reduction, will in turn, cut the nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compound (VOC), particulate matter and carbon monoxide output from its on-road and non-road vehicle fleet by an average of 35 percent by 2012 compared to 2006
- Reducing energy consumption at its largest commercial buildings 10 percent by 2012 compared to its 2005-2007 average
