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For the gas cars, did they also take account of the emmissions/polution from the oil rigs/refineries/gas stations etc? For the coal plants, did they take accoun

For the gas cars, did they also take account of the emmissions/polution from the oil rigs/refineries/gas stations etc? For the coal plants, did they take account of extraction of the coal? Because if we're bringing infrastructure into the equation, where do we draw the line? I note that in the UK, its very easy for consumers to specify that their house be supplied with renewable energy. Looks like it doesn't work that way in the US.

dwiel 11y ago
It does in some places. In St. Louis it was as easy as checking a box on your bill one time, and then for a slight additional cost your house was supplied by renewable energy indefinitely. I don't have that option now in NC.
- kevin_thibedeau 11y ago
  You mean you were suckered into paying a higher rate for the benefit of the energy trading market.
  - schiffern 11y ago
    I'm confused. Are you suggesting the provider didn't actually generate renewable energy? Or are you saying that it's not the exact same electrons (which I think we both realize doesn't matter)?
drabiega 11y ago
I had the same question. Looks like they just compared electricity generation pollution to combustion engine pollution. Very apples and oranges.
- heydenberk 11y ago
  It says in the article that they did not: > The study’s biggest caveat, acknowledged by the researchers, is that they don’t consider a full “lifecycle” analysis of emissions—so things like making the car, drilling for oil, or transporting coal aren’t included in the environmental costs.
Beltiras 11y ago
Iceland is driven by hydro and geothermal. You see a Nissan Leaf at almost every traffic light. While both hydro and geothermal are NOT 100% eco-neutral, they are far better than burning dinos. When my electricity bill comes thou, I get informed that several percent of my electricity is nuclear powered (there are no nuclear power plants in Iceland). It's due to my utility selling credits so some polluter can have a little cleaner conscience. I hate that. So does everyone else in Iceland. The UK might be buying the credits, I don't really know who buys them.

dwiel 11y ago

It does in some places. In St. Louis it was as easy as checking a box on your bill one time, and then for a slight additional cost your house was supplied by renewable energy indefinitely. I don't have that option now in NC.

kevin_thibedeau 11y ago
You mean you were suckered into paying a higher rate for the benefit of the energy trading market.
- schiffern 11y ago
  I'm confused. Are you suggesting the provider didn't actually generate renewable energy? Or are you saying that it's not the exact same electrons (which I think we both realize doesn't matter)?

drabiega 11y ago

I had the same question. Looks like they just compared electricity generation pollution to combustion engine pollution. Very apples and oranges.

heydenberk 11y ago
It says in the article that they did not: > The study’s biggest caveat, acknowledged by the researchers, is that they don’t consider a full “lifecycle” analysis of emissions—so things like making the car, drilling for oil, or transporting coal aren’t included in the environmental costs.

Beltiras 11y ago

Iceland is driven by hydro and geothermal. You see a Nissan Leaf at almost every traffic light. While both hydro and geothermal are NOT 100% eco-neutral, they are far better than burning dinos. When my electricity bill comes thou, I get informed that several percent of my electricity is nuclear powered (there are no nuclear power plants in Iceland). It's due to my utility selling credits so some polluter can have a little cleaner conscience. I hate that. So does everyone else in Iceland. The UK might be buying the credits, I don't really know who buys them.