What Price Are We Willing to Pay For Clean Energy?

David Slump, ’96, and dean Edward Snyder turned the questions on the audience as a March 9 Distinguished Speaker Series event at the Hyde Park Center tackled global energy issues in a provocative discussion of environmental and economic considerations in the industry.

After prompting Slump to discuss his responsibilities as chief marketing officer for General Electric’s energy division as well as the company’s efforts and the international energy market, Snyder asked for a show of hands gauging how many of the students and faculty in attendance perceived the threat of global warming as an immediate one. The majority affirmed it was a genuine concern. Slump said, “If you fundamentally believe the science, it’s going to cost a lot to fix.”

Yet while the math is simple, the issue itself is a very complicated one. Slump again turned to the audience, asking them to weigh in on the cleanliness of nuclear power or indicate whether they’d be willing to sacrifice 20 to 30 percent of their own energy consumption. When a slim minority raised their hands in support of self-sacrifice, Slump said he was not surprised. “Sacrifice around energy is not something that’s been built into our DNA,” he said.

At least the average American voter now sees energy use and global warming as serious issues, Slump said. Still, he didn’t expect any immediate shifts in domestic energy policy. “Every energy bill has taken 10 years to get passed,” he said. But no matter how many people agree it’s time to act, Slump said, questions persist about how and at what cost.

— Jenn Q. Goddu