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5 comments on Nuclear New York?

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LevinK on July 18, 2006 - 4:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
The numbers you provide there are for electricity power generation. To find out state of NY consumption you need to account for net exports/imports from other states and from Canada. The correct data is this one.

Total retail sales of electricity in the state of NY (mln.MWh):

  1. 129
  2. 129
  3. 128
  4. 130
  5. 131
  6. 130
  7. 132
  8. 132
  9. 134
  10. 139
  11. 142
  12. 144
  13. 147
  14. 144
  15. 145

Thus from 1990 to 2004 the state of NY increased its consumption to from 129 to 145 mln.MWh or at the good pace of 0.8% per year.

Your data goes to show that during that period NY  turned from a net exporter (+6 mln.MWh in 1990) to a net importer of electricity (-18 mln.MWh in 2004) and is getting worse over time.

IMO this trend should be rather worrying for the long term availability of electricity supply in NY. The good news is that you have diverse energy sources, and a relatively proactive local government that looks more favorable to building new capacity than other states. Unfortunately there is no sign of real efficiency gains in sight.

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Glenn on July 18, 2006 - 4:36pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Sorry about that - you are absolutely right. I had the wrong data set on demand. From the sub-level data it seems that Residential and Commercial have increased even more rapidly than industrial, probably reflecting the decline in manufacturing jobs upstate and the continuing sprawl of commerical and residential sectors despite minimal population changes...
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LevinK on July 18, 2006 - 5:10pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Intuitively I agree with you - there is an overwhelming amount of pure waste within the system. The problem is I don't see how to eliminate it effectively within our current arrangement.

Essentially it is that same old "tragedy of the commons" problem that has lead us to this stage altogether. From the point of view of the mass consumer conservation and energy issues are problems of the society, not their personal problems. Within our current set of values nothing forces anyone to change his/her ways until the whole train hits its natural limits, after which the individuals will be forced to change either because of limited affordability (read much higher prices than today) or by rationing.

Therefore I admire your efforts for promoting energy awareness. This is the thing we need to start changing first - ourselves. I just don't believe in the ability of society to change that fast beacause of the dreamworld most people live and because of the so much vested interests to keep the status quo. On the other hand if power down turns to be too painful or too fast, I expect people to go on the other extreme - trashing every bit of environment we have left. Clearly we have to approach the problem at both sides. Renewables of course will help, but the elephant in the room is nuclear - I know that technically we can make it right but I'm worried by that same stupidity that brought us here to start working the other way if we wait too long.

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