Ukrainian-American Environmental Association: News Release

2007-10-25 13:25
News Release

MEMBERS OF NEW UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT URGED TO PURSUE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TO PROTECT NATIONAL SECURITY AND ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

For Release:
Thursday, October 25, 2007

Contact:
Taras Lychuk (in Ukraine) +38 068 569-5137
Ken Bossong (in U.S.A.) +1 (301) 588-4741; 301-270-6477

Rivne, Ukraine/Washington DC—In a letter delivered today to the
leaders of the five political parties expected to constitute the next
Ukrainian Parliament, the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association
(UAEA) urged that “energy security and sustainable energy development
[be made] top priorities.”

UAEA suggested that “it is technically and economically feasible for
Ukraine to achieve independence from energy imports within a timeframe
far shorter than that envisioned by [Ukraine’s] National Energy
Strategy. [In fact,] if Ukraine brought its levels of energy
consumption per unit of GDP just down to the world average, it could
eliminate most and possibly all of its energy imports.”

The letter further noted that “Ukraine could be meeting a significant
share of its supply needs in the relatively near future from the mix of
renewable energy technologies. Ukraine may have the best biomass
resources in all of Europe as well as one of the best offshore wind
regimes on the continent. It also has significant, but largely
untapped, geothermal and small hydropower resources as well as modest
solar energy potential.”

The letter concluded that “a national energy strategy based on vastly
improved energy efficiency, substantial increases in renewable energy
development, and a shift to domestic supplies of fossil fuels could
make Ukraine energy self-sufficient in a relatively short time.
Moreover, such an approach would enable Ukraine to re-evaluate its
current emphasis on nuclear power expansion, which we believe to be an
unnecessarily expensive and environmentally dangerous course of
action.”

The complete text of the letter follows.

=======
=======

October 25, 2007

BYUT Leader
Yuliya Tymoshenko
26, Lesi Ukrainky Blvd.,
Office 916, Kyiv

Our Ukraine/People’s
Self Defence Bloc Leader
Yuriy Lutsenko
P.O. Box 57, Kyiv 03150

Party of Regions Leader
Victor Yanukovich
31/33 MOskovska Str.,
Kyiv, 01010

Lytvyn Block Leader
Volodimyr Lytvyn
6-a, Reitarska Str.,
Kyiv, 01034

Communist Party Leader
Petro Symonenko
7, Borisoglibska Str.,
Kyiv, 04070

Dear Sirs/Madam:

As you prepare to convene the newly-reconstituted Rada and government, we are writing to urge that you stress energy security and sustainable energy development as top priorities. The importance of these issues was once again made apparent by Gazprom’s threat to reduce natural gas supplies the day after Ukraine’s elections.

We believe that it is technically and economically feasible for Ukraine to achieve independence from energy imports within a timeframe far shorter than that envisioned by the National Energy Strategy. And we believe that a national energy program that emphasizes improved energy efficiency and renewable energy development could yield major economic as well as national security benefits for Ukraine.

Inasmuch as the Ukrainian economy is among the most energy-intensive – but also the most energy wasteful – in the world, we believe that a far more aggressive campaign to improve energy efficiency in industry, transportation, agriculture, buildings, and government should be the top priority. In theory, at least, if Ukraine brought its levels of energy consumption per unit of GDP just down to the world average, it could eliminate most and possibly all of its energy imports. If Ukraine further improved its energy efficiency to the levels of either the United States or the European Union, it could actually become a net energy producer.

We also believe that Ukraine could be meeting a significant share of its supply needs in the relatively near future from the mix of renewable energy technologies. Ukraine may have the best biomass resources in all of Europe as well as one of the best offshore wind regimes on the continent. It also has significant, but largely untapped, geothermal and small hydropower resources as well as modest solar energy potential. The European Union is striving to meet 20 percent of its energy needs from renewables by 2020; there is no reason why Ukraine could not be striving for a comparable goal rather than be satisfied with the 2-3 percent it now derives from these sources.

Finally, we believe that supply needs that cannot be offset by energy efficiency improvements or met with renewable energy sources can be largely satisfied by increased domestic production of natural gas, oil, and coal. While concerns about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels suggest that total energy consumption from these sources should be reduced from current levels, it is possible to displace natural gas and oil imports with domestic sources to meet legitimate needs.

In total, a national energy strategy based on vastly improved energy efficiency, substantial increases in renewable energy development, and a shift to domestic supplies of fossil fuels could make Ukraine energy self-sufficient in a relatively short time. Moreover, such an approach would enable Ukraine to re-evaluate its current emphasis on nuclear power expansion, which we believe to be an unnecessarily expensive and environmentally dangerous course of action.

During the coming year, the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association is planning to issue a series of a dozen or more short studies (perhaps one per month beginning in early 2008) that will assess the status and potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy options in Ukraine. The papers will also draw upon the experience of the United States and the European Union for particularly effective policy strategies that may be transferrable to Ukraine.

We will be happy to share these materials with you and work with you to develop effecive policies to promote a sustainable energy future for Ukraine and to meet its energy, environmental, economic, and national security needs.

Sincerely,

Taras Lychuk
Co-director
Ken Bossong
Co-director
Ukrainian-American
Environmental Association





	2007-10-25 13:25 News Release MEMBERS OF NEW UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT URGED TO PURSUE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TO PROTECT NATIONAL SECURITY AND ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE For Release: Thursday, October 25, 2007 Contact: Taras Lychuk (in Ukraine) +38 068 569-5137 Ken Bossong (in U.S.A.) +1 (301) 588-4741; 301-270-6477 Rivne, Ukraine/Washington DC—In a letter delivered today to the leaders of the five political parties expected to constitute the next Ukrainian Parliament, the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association (UAEA) urged that “energy security and sustainable energy development [be made] top priorities.” UAEA suggested that “it is technically and economically feasible for Ukraine to achieve independence from energy imports within a timeframe far shorter than that envisioned by [Ukraine’s] National Energy Strategy. [In fact,] if Ukraine brought its levels of energy consumption per unit of GDP just down to the world average, it could eliminate most and possibly all of its energy imports.” The letter further noted that “Ukraine could be meeting a significant share of its supply needs in the relatively near future from the mix of renewable energy technologies. Ukraine may have the best biomass resources in all of Europe as well as one of the best offshore wind regimes on the continent. It also has significant, but largely untapped, geothermal and small hydropower resources as well as modest solar energy potential.” The letter concluded that “a national energy strategy based on vastly improved energy efficiency, substantial increases in renewable energy development, and a shift to domestic supplies of fossil fuels could make Ukraine energy self-sufficient in a relatively short time. Moreover, such an approach would enable Ukraine to re-evaluate its current emphasis on nuclear power expansion, which we believe to be an unnecessarily expensive and environmentally dangerous course of action.” The complete text of the letter follows. ======= ======= October 25, 2007 BYUT Leader Yuliya Tymoshenko 26, Lesi Ukrainky Blvd., Office 916, Kyiv Our Ukraine/People’s Self Defence Bloc Leader Yuriy Lutsenko P.O. Box 57, Kyiv 03150 Party of Regions Leader Victor Yanukovich 31/33 MOskovska Str., Kyiv, 01010 Lytvyn Block Leader Volodimyr Lytvyn 6-a, Reitarska Str., Kyiv, 01034 Communist Party Leader Petro Symonenko 7, Borisoglibska Str., Kyiv, 04070 Dear Sirs/Madam: As you prepare to convene the newly-reconstituted Rada and government, we are writing to urge that you stress energy security and sustainable energy development as top priorities. The importance of these issues was once again made apparent by Gazprom’s threat to reduce natural gas supplies the day after Ukraine’s elections. We believe that it is technically and economically feasible for Ukraine to achieve independence from energy imports within a timeframe far shorter than that envisioned by the National Energy Strategy. And we believe that a national energy program that emphasizes improved energy efficiency and renewable energy development could yield major economic as well as national security benefits for Ukraine. Inasmuch as the Ukrainian economy is among the most energy-intensive – but also the most energy wasteful – in the world, we believe that a far more aggressive campaign to improve energy efficiency in industry, transportation, agriculture, buildings, and government should be the top priority. In theory, at least, if Ukraine brought its levels of energy consumption per unit of GDP just down to the world average, it could eliminate most and possibly all of its energy imports. If Ukraine further improved its energy efficiency to the levels of either the United States or the European Union, it could actually become a net energy producer. We also believe that Ukraine could be meeting a significant share of its supply needs in the relatively near future from the mix of renewable energy technologies. Ukraine may have the best biomass resources in all of Europe as well as one of the best offshore wind regimes on the continent. It also has significant, but largely untapped, geothermal and small hydropower resources as well as modest solar energy potential. The European Union is striving to meet 20 percent of its energy needs from renewables by 2020; there is no reason why Ukraine could not be striving for a comparable goal rather than be satisfied with the 2-3 percent it now derives from these sources. Finally, we believe that supply needs that cannot be offset by energy efficiency improvements or met with renewable energy sources can be largely satisfied by increased domestic production of natural gas, oil, and coal. While concerns about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels suggest that total energy consumption from these sources should be reduced from current levels, it is possible to displace natural gas and oil imports with domestic sources to meet legitimate needs. In total, a national energy strategy based on vastly improved energy efficiency, substantial increases in renewable energy development, and a shift to domestic supplies of fossil fuels could make Ukraine energy self-sufficient in a relatively short time. Moreover, such an approach would enable Ukraine to re-evaluate its current emphasis on nuclear power expansion, which we believe to be an unnecessarily expensive and environmentally dangerous course of action. During the coming year, the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association is planning to issue a series of a dozen or more short studies (perhaps one per month beginning in early 2008) that will assess the status and potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy options in Ukraine. The papers will also draw upon the experience of the United States and the European Union for particularly effective policy strategies that may be transferrable to Ukraine. We will be happy to share these materials with you and work with you to develop effecive policies to promote a sustainable energy future for Ukraine and to meet its energy, environmental, economic, and national security needs. Sincerely, Taras Lychuk Co-director Ken Bossong Co-director Ukrainian-American Environmental Association