EVs and heat pumps use electricity. It has to come from somewhere. As they proliferate, their demand will create the need for more power plants. What will fuel those power plants? Solar and hydro are small contributors; 4% and 6%, respectively, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).

Wind is a little better at 9% and is a big contributor in some states, including Maine at 23%. Natural gas, coal and nuclear account for 78% of the total capacity nationwide. Coal is being phased out. Nuclear is a political no-go. Gas is growing the fastest. Where will the gas come from if we build more plants? More fracking?

There is a solution that doesn’t make the evening news. We’re throwing away gas at almost three times the rate of our total energy consumption. Look up “oil wells” and “flaring.’

Jim Hart

China