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Sustainability and the High Price of Fuel

06/13/2022 11:38:45 AM

Jun13

by Richard Peidelstein

With gasoline prices at record highs, the fossil fuel industry is front and center in many of our minds. As the world begins its transition away from an energy sector dominated by fossil fuels, many of us wonder what we can do in the meantime. Here are a few ideas both immediate and long-term.

First, consider your modes of transportation. Obviously the least energy-intensive method is walking. Although I am now retired, when I was working I walked the 2.2 miles to work on most days and drew the line at severe weather. Aside from the effects on the climate, I found my walk gave me valuable time for thinking and easing into my day.

Carpooling is a great way to get to work and share the cost of fuel. Even coworkers who do not live near each other can meet at a midway point and share part of the journey.

Another way that many people consider is cycling. Many areas are improving their cycling infrastructure to make this easier. Aside from the carbon reduction and economic gains, biking has good physical benefits. Electric bikes also are increasingly popular as an alternative to cars for shorter distances. Obviously it’s best if you charge your electric bike from electricity generated by renewable energy if possible. 

Second, consider investing in alternative sources of energy. How do you know if the electricity is from renewable sources? There are two main methods. 

  1. Join a renewable power offset program through your utility. MG&E, Alliant Energy, and We Energies all have programs that will meet a certain percentage of your usage from their renewable sources. Be aware that these programs do have a surcharge added to help the utility in its transition to renewables. 
  2. Install a small stand-alone solar panel with a battery and inverter and charge your electric bike from this. There is an initial cost for the equipment, but it has the added benefit of giving you an independent source of power for your transportation. 

As time goes on, many utilities are shifting away from fossil fuels and generating energy from carbon-free sources. In general, moving toward electrical energy is the best avenue to decarbonize.

At our home, we have been participating in Alliant Energy’s Second Nature program and have offset all of our electricity to renewable sources. Rather than purchasing an electric bike, I added a front wheel with a hub motor and a battery to my existing bike. This gives me the options of pedaling, using the motor, or a combination of the two.

One of the logistical benefits of renewables is the ability to have them locally based. The pricing structure of the global fossil fuel industry is subject to controls and pressures that often come from outside our region. Renewables such as solar, wind, and groundwater systems are more immediate and can be subject to local controls. Also, the ability to self-generate electricity is a benefit that cannot be duplicated with fossil fuel. 

The future appears more and more to be an electric one. Through a return to biology-based transportation such as biking and walking, and through greater use of electric bikes, cars, and mass transit, we are moving toward a carbon-neutral future. The more of us who participate in this change, the faster the industry will move in that direction. 
 

April 30, 2025 2 Iyar 5785