Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons^™

How Eppley Airfield Could Be Reducing Your Power Bill (But They’Re Not), Cherry Pham

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Eppley Airfield in Nebraska is spending $950 million on their renovation and services are still running, even during construction. Part of the airport’s renovation budget could be allotted to installing solar canopies. In the long run, airports with solar canopies reduces their own electricity expenses.

Carbon Markets: A New Opportunity For Farmers, Emma Wrede

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Farmers have always known that healthy soil is their greatest asset to their success. Carbon markets are simply finding a new way to identify, measure, and compensate that value in a new way. In a time where every dollar counts, carbon credit markets can strengthen farmers’ margins and enhance their land health which they depend on. With continued research, improved regulation, and clearer guidelines, this system will work for both farmers and the environment.

Nebraska's Hidden Goldmine: Wind Power On Farms, Adelaide Witte

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Nebraska’s been hesitant to go all in on wind energy. People often worry about things like noise, how turbines look, or even potential impacts on human health. Community concerns are valid and should always be acknowledged. However, addressing them doesn’t require putting all development on hold.

“The Good Life” Of Ai, Lauren Smith

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is powered by data centers, sprawling warehouses of servers that require massive amounts of electricity and water to operate. The United Statesalready has more than 1,000 data centers, with nearly 400 more on the way.

Nebraska is next. Google is building a major new data center in North Lincoln, adding to the 18 operating across the state.

Our collective use of tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot has fueled a boom in generative AI, and with it a surge in energy and water consumption.

The need for AI regulation isn’t a future concern. It’s …

The Land Competition Between Crops And Solar: Why Nebraska Farmers May Not Have To Choose, Jada Vogel

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

There are significant benefits that can come from implementing agrivoltaics on farms in Nebraska. The economic gains from the use of agrivoltaics alone may be sufficient to get individuals to pursue their use.

The Myth Of Clean Manufacturing, Andrea Phan

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

We must act now and reform renewable energy credits to reflect real progress. This means tightening Scope 2 rules so that renewable claims are tied to additional, time and location matched, clean power. It means rewarding measurable integration, so that real emissions are avoided, not waived by retroactive certificates. RECs can still play a role, but only in a system that demands we use the tools we already have.

Nebraska’S Best Option: Carbon Capture, Leah Bates

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Some may argue that carbon capture technologies are not optimal due to their high costs or how they take focus away from implementing renewable energy sources. However, carbon capture and storage technologies are currently the best options in reducing carbon emission and Nebraska is leading the way.

Nuclear Energy Is Clean And Safe Energy, Katie Morland

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

From the grappling fear of horrific meltdowns to the promise of new innovative advancements, nuclear energy has been surrounded by misunderstandings and myths for decades. A non-partisan approach from media outlets is essential for having a well-balanced understanding of how nuclear energy works and why it is good for our consumption.

Despite bias concerns that are leading to misunderstanding, nuclear energy offers a wide range of reliable cleaner types of energy. Moving forward we need to ask ourselves are we going to keep letting misinformation and misconceptions stop us from developing better advancements in nuclear energy for cleaner energy use …

The Case For E15: A Cheaper, Cleaner Fuel, Cassidy Skillett

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

In its name, “E” indicates that the fuel contains ethanol and “15” communicates that 15% of the gasoline blend is ethanol. When Nebraskan drivers pull up to the gas station, they can buy cheaper and cleaner E15. In 43 states - drivers are not so lucky. A new bill would end fuel discrimination of E15 at refueling stations nationwide.

This change is long overdue and would allow E15 to be available year-round in all states rather than just during the winter.

Zoning Regulations Are Harming Nebraska’S Wind Energy Future, Carter Probst

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Nebraska is a prime location for renewable energy sources, such as wind. According to Climate Central, a policy-neutral non-profit, “While Nebraska ranks fourth among U.S States for potential wind energy generation, it ranks 15th in installed capacity.” What is the number one reason Nebraska has not fully tapped into its potential, which would have numerous economic and climate benefits? Harsh zoning regulations at the county level, fueled by misinformation, have made installation of wind turbines nearly impossible across multiple counties in Nebraska.

Greet Vs. Corsia: The Future Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Christian Curtis

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

With the country buzzing from the shocking result of the presidential election, not much ink is being spilled about the upcoming conclusion of a months-long showdown between agriculture-state lawmakers and environmentalists. The bone of contention? What modeling system will be used to calculate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) emissions. President Biden’s IRA provides for a $1.25/gallon tax credit for any fuel qualifying as SAF; would it surprise you that environmentalists and big industry don’t see eye to eye on what counts as “sustainable”?

Why We Should Have More Walkable Cities, Alexander Huddleston

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The walkable city is something that is seen all over Europe but is a rarity in the United States. The rise of cheap oil in the first half of the 20th century led to the expansion of the suburbs and a car culture that we just can’t get away from. Our cities are now so spread out, causing more and more pollution and damage done to our environment. There is a lot that we know about this issue and the solutions that we can get done to fix it. America is stuck in a car culture that is so hard …

The Essential Role Of Fossil Fuels In Combating Climate Change, Ivye Meyer

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The Essential Role of Fossil Fuels in Combating Climate Change

Eminent Domain: Unconstitutional, Unjust, And Unnecessary, Ashley Norris

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Perhaps the most important undertaking of our time is the ubiquity of sustainable energy vital for the continuation and improvement of living conditions worldwide. The utmost care must be taken with the means used to achieve this feat. The fossil fuel industry has used and abused eminent domain since its inception. Ironically, environmental advocates now propose the same means to a cleaner, greener end. The taking of private land for private development, regardless of intent, is unconstitutional, unjust, and unnecessary. The Fifth Amendment states: “…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

As stated by the …

Navigating The Green Skies: Why Saf Is The Wrong Path To Take, Cameron Cannon

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

With its promise of a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, have been hailed as an environmentally friendly substitute for conventional aviation fuels. SAFs are made from sustainable resources such as plant biomass, waste oils, or agricultural wastes and are intended to mitigate environmental issues. On closer examination, though, this solution's intricacy becomes clear. Grab your mental compass and journey with me as we discover why SAFs would lead us the wrong way.

Sound Energy Could Change The World, Tyler Bugiel

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The energy crisis is a problem that has been growing more concerning for many years, and yet there has not seemed to be a good solution to the problem. That being said, I think that there is a solution that has not been explored thoroughly enough, that solution being sound energy. Solar and wind are both energy systems that use natural resources and things that occur on a day to day basis to convert those things into energy, but sound has not been explored as much.

Why Energy Efficiency Is Needed In Rwanda, Jean Ishinzibigwi

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Perspective on the benefits of energy efficiency and cost savings on energy was changed by the experience of working with the Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center. Visiting various industrial locations in Nebraska to see how different energy-saving techniques are employed to save money on energy costs and reduce energy waste. Rwanda can put several ideas into action to lessen the energy loss, which is too much now.

The government's Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and other departments are crucial to Rwanda's energy sector. The primary ministry in charge of developing renewable energy is MININFRA (methane, peat, geothermal, solar and wind energy). The …

Stop Methane Emissions, Jacob Anderson

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

We all know of the worldly issue called global warming. A huge cause of global warming is the emission and buildup of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the leading contributor to global emissions at 74.4% and methane is second at 17.3% (Our World in Data 2019). On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

which includes a charge that starts in 2024 at $900 per metric ton of methane emitted and will raise to $1500 by 2028 (CRS). This should introduce an incentive for facilities to update their plant, machinery, and equipment …

Bridgeport Poised To Be Site Of Nebraska’S Next Environmental Catastrophe, Kjersten Hyberger

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Bridgeport Ethanol LLC is Nebraska’s first ethanol plant to be under contract for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the state. Despite ongoing safety concerns by federal regulators and organized opposition from affected landowners, Carbon America is pushing forward with their plans to have the Bridgeport CCS facility operational by 2024. At a time when Nebraska has barely begun cleanup of the AltEn disaster in Mead, and the agrochemical contamination levels in our soil and groundwater are at historic levels, we cannot carelessly add one more pollutant to the mix.

In May of this year the Legislature passed the Nebraska …

Puerto Rico Left In The Dark, Again, Eulices Garcia

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Puerto Rico, the United States third largest island, often gets overlooked when hurricane season comes and goes. Where most of the attention goes to the Florida peninsula or East coast, Puerto Rico is still one of America’s closest territories. As part of America’s extended family, Puerto Rico should not be overlooked when natural disasters occur. When these disasters happen, they can have a tremendous impact on the island itself and the people in it. One major concern that has not been truly fixed yet is the energy crisis in Puerto Rico. Whenever storms hit, there is always a possibility of …

Carbon Capture Is Not Climate Action, Bella Devney

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

A new technology is being brought to Western Nebraska in the form of Carbon Capture and Storage in the name of climate action, but the health of Nebraska’s environment and people are being ignored. Bridgeport Ethanol Plant announced this fall that they plan to begin building technology that will capture and store “175,000 tons/yr” which is a small percentage of the 4,577 million tons emitted by the US in 2020.

Carbon can be captured from the atmosphere itself or in the Ethanol Plant’s case from the point of the CO2 production. After carbon is captured from the plant’s smokestack, it …

Nuclear Energy, Evan Detina

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The use of nuclear power as a primary energy source is a controversial discussion. However, if reversing or stopping the effects of climate change is our main goal, then this is a top contender. Fossil fuels account for 34 billion tons of emissions annually according to Ritchie, Hannah, et al. (2020). Instead, we can create energy through nuclear fission. I believe nuclear energy should become a much larger player in the energy game.

The first practical use of nuclear power became apparent on December 2, 1942 when a physicist, Enrico Fermi, develOp-ed a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction at the University …

Big Blue Wind Project: Why Solar May Be A Better Solution For Nebraska's Energy Future Than Wind, Page Nippert

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

With nonrenewable resources such as coal and oil causing greenhouse gas emissions, a shift to renewable resources is needed not only to reduce CO₂ emissions, but also to allow energy independence. The switch to renewable resources is vital, and in Nebraska, these resources are being introduced commonly as solar and wind farms depending on the area.

NextEra Energy is proposing The Big Blue Wind project in Jefferson County. I’m opposing this project for reasons similar to why it’s being proposed – for the environment and the community.

The project aims to benefit the community economically by creating jobs, county …

New Natural Gas Pipeline Benefits Europe And Africa, Victor Moreno Lozano

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

European countries have agreed to start filling up their natural gas gap, with the new natural gas pipeline from Africa. Nigeria and Morocco agreed to develop this pipeline in 2016, but after the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia war, things have speeded up.

After the economical punishments Europe imposed on Russia, Russia decided to increase the price of the natural gas exported to Europe and decrease the amount of gas. Most European countries have a big dependency on Russia's natural gas, countries like Germany import 50% of their natural gas from Russia.

Since winter is coming up, European countries are dealing …

Are Electric Cars A Solution In Rwanda?, Elysee Ndayishimiye

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Numerous studies have been conducted that demonstrate how environmentally friendly electric vehicles are. They produce fewer greenhouse gases, which makes them an effective way to reduce both air pollution and greenhouse emissions. In order to combat rising air pollution and support a green city initiative, Rwanda considered introducing more electric vehicles. The Global Electric Mobility Program, run by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), aims to assist low- and middle-income nations in switching from conventional (gas) to electric vehicles. Rwanda has joined this program. Due to the high cost of switching to electric vehicles in poor nations like Rwanda and …

Rwanda To Phase Out Polluting Vehicles By 2040, An Efficient Strategy To Mitigate Global Warming Effects?, Josue Kwizera

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Passenger vehicles are major pollutants because on average a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. I highly support the idea that Rwanda joined on November 11, 2021, a group of countries at the COP26 United Nations climate talks that have made an agreement to end polluting vehicles by 2040. Rwanda is a landlocked country with a 12.95 million population as of 2020 (World Bank). Rwanda currently has over 221,000 registered vehicles; 83,980 are passenger vehicles, 114,900 vehicles (52 percent of those vehicles) are motorcycles and the rest include public transports (buses and minibuses) …

The Eicda: What Is It, And Why Is It Right For Nebraska?, Samantha Markus

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

For decades, humans have been pumping greenhouses gases into the atmosphere, and we are finally starting to see some of the damages. Global temperature has risen 1.76°F when compared to the twentieth century. Within Nebraska, we are seeing an increase in heavy rain events and extreme hot days, both of which negatively impact agriculture. These changes are becoming more devastating as each year passes with no action.

“Developing Nations Should Not Rush To Renewable Energies”, Alisson Ntwali

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The Conference of Parties 26 (COP26)’s purpose was to bring countries together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

Biden’S “Blue” Hydrogen Plan Is Not The Answer, Ryan Martz

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

The excitement about hydrogen as a fuel and energy source is similar to buying an electric vehicle (EV) thinking it will reduce your personal CO₂ emissions. On the surface, it seems great! No greenhouse gas emissions while driving is certainly better than the greenhouse gasses released from a normal combustion engine car, but when you consider other effects, it’s no longer as great. What if the grid that you plug your EV into is powered primarily by coal? What about the environmental and human rights impacts of mining the materials to make the batteries? What about the lack of …

Loss And Damage: The $100 Billion Promise ‘The Leaders’ Failed To Keep, Abbie Williams

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

100 billion dollars, the amount develOp-ed nations were supposed to pay less develOp-ed nations by 2020, the promise they failed to keep. The promise that was revisited at COP26 in Glasgow. The climate finance fund is funds from more develOp-ed nations to less develOp-ed nations to help with transitioning to a green economy so there is no need for reliance on fossil fuels. This fund consists of both loans and grants.