Think Beyond Petroleum

July's Sustainable Living Tip

Help our country go "beyond petroleum." Most people think we need to drill for offshore gas and oil to meet our energy needs. Show them otherwise by choosing cleaner energy sources now.

Facts about Going "Beyond Petroleum"

1. According to Reuters, 56 percent of Americans polled in June 2010 believe offshore drilling is necessary for the United States to produce its own energy and not rely on other countries for oil.
2. Deep water drill rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are used to extract both oil and natural gas from rock formations under the ocean.
3. Oil and gas are global commodities, so it's hard to predict how lowering demand in the United States will affect any particular drill site. But lowering demand for fossil fuel anywhere in the world reduces the need to drill offshore for oil and gas everywhere in the world.
4. In the short term, you can help our country become more energy secure by reducing the amount of oil and gas you burn.
5. You will have the most impact on your consumption of oil and gas by focusing on three areas: 1) hot water, 2) transportation, and 3) home heating.
6. Installing low-flow shower heads and washing your clothes in cold water are two easy and effective ways to reduce your energy demand for hot water.
   
7. You can heat most of your domestic hot water (for showers, dish washing, laundry, etc.) this year and every year in the future with a solar hot water system.
8. Unless you carefully size your solar hot water system or can manage your demand, you will probably need a backup heat source to guarantee hot water is available all the time.
9. You can minimize your consumption of fossil fuel by choosing electricity or wood, rather than propane or natural gas, as the back up heat source for your solar hot water system.
   
10. Combining trips, carpooling, walking and bicycling more, and ensuring your tires are properly inflated are all ways you can reduce the amount of gas you burn for transportation.
11. Improving fuel efficiency will slightly reduce our country's need for oil. Switching to fully electric cars, trolleys and buses will dramatically reduce it.
12. Electric cars will be available in the United States starting in 2011, with mass market availability expected by 2012. Nissan estimates that by 2020 electric cars will account for 10% of the global market.
13. Batteries in electric cars may act as buffers to allow intermittent electricity sources like wind turbines to power a larger percentage of the grid without the need for natural gas turbines. If cars are plugged in to the grid while parked, their batteries can be charging when wind turbines are spinning, and discharging when wind turbines stop and the grid needs more power. Currently, stand by sources like hydro and natural gas need to be available to complement wind turbines and other intermittent renewable energy sources.
14. Weatherizing your home by sealing air leaks and improving insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy consumption. Efficiency Maine is running a summer special, giving up to $5,500 in state incentives to complete projects by August 31.
    
15. Installing zones and setting back your thermostat are also extremely effective energy conservation measures.
    
16. Replacing an old, inefficient heating system with a more efficient model is another way to reduce your energy consumption. But if you decide to replace your heating system you may want to consider switching energy sources as well.
17. In the long term, you can help our country achieve energy independence by choosing other energy sources instead of oil or gas.
18. According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are no natural gas or oil reserves in Maine.
19. Solar is the most significant energy source available to most Mainers. It is delivered daily throughout the state and can be harnessed with systems that are extremely durable and easy to maintain.
20. Wood is another energy source widely available. Systems that burn wood require more maintenance than systems that harness solar energy directly.
21. Wind is available to few Mainers. The best wind resources are along ridge lines, the coast, and offshore. Systems that harness wind energy tend to be difficult to maintain.
    
22. Electricity is a good choice for lowering your consumption of fossil fuel. Even though some natural gas is burned to generate electricity in Maine, you will still reduce your fossil fuel footprint by substituting electricity for heating oil, propane or natural gas. This is because much of the electricity in Maine is generated by hydro and biomass power plants, and an increasing amount is being generated by wind and solar.
23. If your house is currently connected to the public power grid, you can help clean up how electricity is generated in Maine by installing solar electric panels on your roof. Not only will you begin to supply your own power, but any excess power you produce will be used by your neighbors.