Spring Break
Energy expert says RI should focus on current energy source efficiency
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Campus
Farley said Rhode Island has energy prices higher than the national average, a lack of natural resources and a difficulty building new energy infrastructure in the state.
At the same time, Rhode Island is at the head of the nation in terms of energy efficiency, Farley said.
"When you look at total energy use per capita, little Rhody is at the head of the class."
Farley said he does not see the limitations facing the state as curses but as potential sources of motivation, using the example of Japan to illustrate his point.
The Japanese have had to deal with low natural resources and a fragile fuel supply chain, he said.
"As a result, the Japanese developed the proven ability to weather oil price increases and shortages and they did it by dramatically increasing fuel and energy efficiency," Farley said.
Farley equated Japan to Rhode Island in terms of limitations and said he sees the potential for similar improvement.
"Japan is to the world as Rhode Island is to America," he said.
"If we're going to look at energy in the economy and try to figure out how we chart a course to make ourselves a leader in the competitive economic market ,we have to look at our relative strengths," he said.
Farley also advocated "buying American" as a means of protecting the environment.
"If you want to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation the best thing you can do is take economic activity away from China and give it to the United States."
Chinese power plants produce 59 percent more carbon emissions than U.S. plants, Farley said.
The lecture series, held in the Coastal Institute's Weaver Auditorium, is free and open to the public. Previous topics have included the ethics of energy consumption and a discussion of the energy challenges faced by the state. The next Energy Series lecture will take place on April 16 at 5 p.m. in the Coastal Institute's Weaver Auditorium.
At the same time, Rhode Island is at the head of the nation in terms of energy efficiency, Farley said.
"When you look at total energy use per capita, little Rhody is at the head of the class."
Farley said he does not see the limitations facing the state as curses but as potential sources of motivation, using the example of Japan to illustrate his point.
The Japanese have had to deal with low natural resources and a fragile fuel supply chain, he said.
"As a result, the Japanese developed the proven ability to weather oil price increases and shortages and they did it by dramatically increasing fuel and energy efficiency," Farley said.
Farley equated Japan to Rhode Island in terms of limitations and said he sees the potential for similar improvement.
"Japan is to the world as Rhode Island is to America," he said.
"If we're going to look at energy in the economy and try to figure out how we chart a course to make ourselves a leader in the competitive economic market ,we have to look at our relative strengths," he said.
Farley also advocated "buying American" as a means of protecting the environment.
"If you want to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation the best thing you can do is take economic activity away from China and give it to the United States."
Chinese power plants produce 59 percent more carbon emissions than U.S. plants, Farley said.
The lecture series, held in the Coastal Institute's Weaver Auditorium, is free and open to the public. Previous topics have included the ethics of energy consumption and a discussion of the energy challenges faced by the state. The next Energy Series lecture will take place on April 16 at 5 p.m. in the Coastal Institute's Weaver Auditorium.
