POWER LINES
Carbon-free by 2035? O
ver the last few months, Ohio Cooperative Living has taken a look at why we still need coal — an analysis of cost and reliability factors of different generation resources; a review of the sources of electricity used to power Ohio’s co-op member homes and businesses; an explanation of the significant investments the co-ops have made that have resulted in the Cardinal Plant becoming one of the cleanest coal-burning plants in the world; and a preview of a coming program to introduce more renewable generation into the electricity mix. President Joe Biden has announced a goal for the United States to decarbonize its electricity grid by 2035. Unless there are major technology breakthroughs, however, it would mean eliminating the use of coal and natural gas to produce electricity within the next 15 years — a tall order, considering fossil fuels currently produce more than 60% of the nation’s electricity, and even more than that here in Ohio. This month, we take a brief look at some of the challenges that must be overcome in order to decarbonize the grid.
4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2021
