a larger share of the existing power
demand, but it will also have to
satisfy more traditional increases
in demand that organically occur
over time as both populations
and standards of living increase.
Introduce these massive influxes of
electricity demand from projected
policies favoring electric vehicles,
and we enter problematic territory.
The EIA projects that world energy
consumption will grow by nearly
50% between 2018–2050. Growth
in end-use consumption will result
in electricity generation increasing
79% between 2018–2050. Essentially,
what is 17% renewable
energy generation in the U.S. in
2019 would be approximately 9.5%
in 2050.
Advocacy
We know it’s unrealistic to transition
an entire economy to electrification
in a matter of a few decades,
but legislation is targeting the path
of least resistance. If we don’t stand
up and make ourselves heard, then
that will be on us.
While upstream petroleum
companies have powerful lobbyists
in the halls of Congress and State
legislatures across the country,
who’s arguing on your behalf? By
the looks of future-focused regulatory
policy—no one. Sure, we have
a multitude of trade associations
doing great work and representing
us as best they can, but we need to
tackle this “existential threat,” to
use the parlance of these climatechange
times, with a unified voice.
While we may not be able or want
to do much to slow the transition
to electrification in light-duty
vehicles, we can—and we must—do
something about electrification of
home heating.
Enter Project Carbon Freedom.
This is a new effort to provide
you with the education, advocacy
and support you need to get your
voices heard by decision-makers
who hold your future in their
hands. We frame up the situation,
we offer a solution and we detail
the strategy to get this done.
We know you are busy running
day-to-day operations and keeping
customers happy and warm, so
Project Carbon Freedom makes it
easy for you to effectively advocate
well-reasoned positions to your legislators.
These include the low-cost
benefits our industry will continue
to provide to fight climate change,
improve air and water quality, create
and retain jobs, support local
communities and much more.
Project Carbon Freedom also
provides letter templates for you
to quickly and easily tailor the
message to your needs—whether
you are a fuel dealer, equipment
manufacturer or employee—and
submit them to policymakers and
regulators to ensure we, and the
many benefits we offer, are not left
out in the cold. Visit projectcarbonfreedom.
com for more information.
Not long ago, I wrote about being
a lone voice in this fight, but
with your help—and with Project
Carbon Freedom’s assistance offered
to you—I will be a lone voice
no more. ICM
6 ICM/March/April 2021