Let's Get Serious About Energy Independence
The current unrest in Libya and the rise in prices we are seeing at the gas pump highlight the precarious situation we find ourselves in because of our heavy dependence on foreign oil. Some lawmakers are urging President Obama to tap our oil reserves in an attempt to stabilize prices. But there are those who doubt that this will be done; they argue that the White House is only saying that it will consider tapping the reserves as a ploy to stabilize prices.
I seem to remember that we were in a similar situation back in early 1991, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. What we need to do is to get busy fixing the problem once and for all. That brings me to a current law called the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007). Section 433 of this law requires that for new federal buildings and major renovations, they shall be designed so that the fossil fuel-generated energy consumption will be reduced in accordance with the following: 55% reduction by year 2010; 65 % reduction by year 2015; 80 percent reduction by year 2020; 90% by 2025; and 100% by 2030.
The targeted reductions are based on comparisons with the fossil fuel-generated energy consumption of similar buildings in fiscal year 2003, as measured by Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey data (CEBCS 2003) or by Residential Energy Consumption Survey data, according to the type of building under consideration. What this energy conservation requirement means is that the federal buildings built in 2030 are to result in NET ZERO fossil fuel consumption. This in effect requires that the buildings be powered, heated, and cooled via solar technology, photovoltaic, wind power, biofuels, etc.
We are far behind on compliance with this energy conservation mandate. For instance, most federal buildings constructed in 2010 did not meet the 55% energy reduction of fossil fuel use, relative to the CBECS 2003 baseline. Our country is not alone in this endeavor. Six weeks ago, I and about 400 other engineers, researchers, and program managers from 12 countries attended an Energy Conference in Las Vegas, NV, to share information as to what our respective countries were doing to meet this serious energy conservation challenge. Of course, one of the challenges will be the first cost associated with incorporating the required new technologies into new and renovated buildings. But we must find a way to get it done. Our energy independence and national security depend on it.
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