Adaptive Mitigation in the Electric Power Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 2116 II. Mitigation and Adaptation 2117 A. The Disjuncture Between Mitigation and Adaptation .2118 B. Integrating Mitigation and Adaptation 2120 III. ADAPTIVE MITIGATION: EXAMPLES FROM THE ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR 2123 A. Electric Power and Climate Change 2125 B. Mitigation that Reduces Vulnerability and Enhances Resilience 2128 1. Conservation of water resources 2129 2. Resistance to extreme events 2134 3. Low environmental impact 2138 IV. POLICY FOR ADAPTIVE MITIGATION 2143 A. Information Dissemination 2144 B. Project Review 2146 C. Planning 2149 V. CONCLUSION 2154 I. INTRODUCTION The electric power sector and other sectors that are the primary producers of greenhouse gases are in a unique position with respect to climate change. Over the next several decades, these sectors are likely to face increasing pressure to adopt mitigation measures that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.1 In this process of transformation, an opportunity exists to adopt technologies and practices that not only further climate change mitigation but also climate change adaptation. Climate change policy has given little attention to potential interactions between mitigation and adaptation. Both are now recognized as important types of responses to climate change, but discussions of mitigation and adaptation policy almost always occur separately. This Article suggests that, as a result, we are at risk of failing to adaptively mitigate. Adaptive mitigation involves evaluating mitigation options according to how they serve the needs of adaptation and adopting policy instruments that promote mitigation options that have adaptation benefits. The electric power sector has been a primary focus of attention in discussions of climate change mitigation but not in discussions of climate change adaptation.2 The sector is responsible for approximately one-third of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, and a wide variety of mitigation alternatives exist.3 These mitigation alternatives vary widely in terms of attributes that are relevant to adaptation, namely, their reliance on water resources that are likely to become scarcer with climate change, their vulnerability to climatechange related disasters, and their environmental impacts aside from climate change. Part II explains the disjuncture between mitigation and adaptation policy and the need for greater integration. Part III analyzes the possibilities for synergies between mitigation and adaptation in the electric power sector. The analysis shows that several mitigation options, particularly energy efficiency and some renewable energy technologies, have a wide variety of adaptation benefits. Part IV recommends policies to promote adaptive mitigation. Such policies would ensure that information about climate change impacts is disseminated, that project review considers adaptation, and that planning integrates mitigation and adaptation. II. MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION Mitigation and adaptation are both types of responses to climate change. Mitigation focuses on how to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases and lower their concentrations in the atmosphere. …