PG&E Transformed Me
As one of 1450 college campuses across the United States to hold events informing students about global warming, Cal Poly is taking a step in the right direction. ÒFocus the NationÓ is a rewarding project that has inspired me to take responsibility for the bad habits which affect the environment. I chose to attend the event that would give me options for how to reduce my Òcarbon footprintÓ on the world. Two credible employees of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Hal LaFlash and Eric Linkugel, educated the audience about the current CO2 emissions and what we can do to lower that number.
Hal LaFlash, Director of Emerging Clean Technology Policy for PG&E, emphasized the prevalence of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and what people can do to lower their individual CO2 emissions. In California the majority of these emissions come from automobiles, whereas the north and southeastern states produce most CO2 from coal usage. While industrial machines cause a large portion of the excess gasses, 20.5%, transportation emissions make up most of CaliforniaÕs greenhouse gasses, at 40.7% of the total. LaFlash and Linkugel went on to describe an Òenergy action planÓ California residents can follow to decrease these emissions.
The first step to emission reduction is what LaFlash called customer energy efficiency. By using a certain type of equipment in your home or business, you can limit the amount of energy used. For example, by replacing incandescent lights with fluorescent lights you can save about $30 in electricity costs over each bulbÕs lifetime. Also, certain types of new refrigerators and heaters are more energy efficient than older models. By upgrading to a newer product, I can eventually save money and energy. To make this idea more attractive to customers, PG&E offers rebates for certain appliances and electronics. This suggestion may be possible for those who can afford purchasing better quality appliances, but relatively impossible for those on a tight budget. This plan would be difficult for many PG&E customers to implement, therefore may not have been the best thing for LaFlash to advocate.
The next step is demand response. When called upon by PG&E to turn off their lights, home and business owners can prevent power outages on hot summer days and limit the waste of electricity. Similarly, Òtime of use managementÓ can also make a large difference in the amount of electricity used at a certain hour of the day. The middle of the day, especially during warmer seasons is a peak time when electricity is being used overtime because of air conditioners and business operation hours. Therefore, it is more efficient to do laundry or use air conditioners at night, not during the peak hours of the day. As opposed to buying new appliances, this proposition is more realistic for the majority of the population by allowing everyone to use their current appliances in a more efficient manner.
The last part in the plan is to use more renewable energy sources to power the nation. Twelve percent of CaliforniaÕs energy sources are now renewable, but soon the number will increase to 19%. Renewable energy can be conceived three ways in California, through solar energy, biogas, and ocean power. Solar energy is a way to capture power through the light stored by parabolic troughs and dish engines. These two differently shaped mechanisms are both successful in saving electricity by storing energy that can be used at a later time. Biogas is a second form of renewable energy. Since there is a population of 1.7 million cows in California, there is a possibility the methane and carbon dioxide gasses released from the fermentation of manure and sewage can be used as energy by converting the natural gasses into pipeline-ready gas. Another way to use the environmentÕs gifts as modes of electricity is through ocean power. LaFlash explained that the most powerful waves on the west coast are in northern California. By implementing oscillating water columns in locations such as Eureka, Fort Bragg and San Francisco, California can benefit from another form of renewable energy obtained without destroying the environment. An oscillating water column compresses the ocean wave to create an electric current which can be stored for later use. The water used to power the oscillator can also be taken to a desalination plant and be converted into drinking water. The environment gives humanity the tools to give back to the world and reverse the damage.
As a result of their professional appearance and delivery, Hal LaFlash and Eric Linkugel were convincing. Before they began lecturing about energy efficiency, the two men were quick to share their qualifications. Both are college graduates and have high positions at PG&E, creating credible personas. Also dressed in well-fitted suits, LaFlash and Linkugel began their beautifully made power point presentation adorned with pictures and easy to read text. They spoke clearly and confidently, down to the memorized statistics, evidence that the speech was practiced. With these qualities as presenters, displaying the rhetorical strategies of ethos and logos, LaFlash and Linkugel left a positive impression and led me to believe their informational commentary.
Instead of being preached at like most articles and videos I have read and watched regarding global warming, with LaFlash and LinkugelÕs presentation I was given options to make a difference. I was empowered to take a step towards improving the environment by doing simple things like changing light bulbs and not using appliances at peak hours to be more energy efficient. Because energy efficiency programs began in the 1970Õs, allowing California to be a leader among the United StatesÕ power resourcefulness, I plan to continue the role my beautiful state has begun.