One of the puzzling aspects of the evolving energy picture in the US is transmission.  Many interests are pushing a huge transmission line building program to move electrons from the Dakotas eastward towards the Chicago area and on the to the East Coast. Part of this “plan” is to take away the ability of states and local communities to “stop the lines.”

But when one looks beneath the surface, two trends emerge: (1) most of the proposed lines seem to really be about moving coal and nuclear power around for “market” purposes, and (2) they are based on the assumption that “renewable” power will be in addition to, rather than in place of, coal and nuke power.  In other words, transmission and generation interests are counting on being able to defeat effective energy efficiency programs that would reduce our present consumption of  electricity. Continue reading →