Module 3: Energy Conservation

• Overview
• Program Planning
• Identifying Options
• Program Implementation
• Resources

Overview

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Environmental Implications

Coal-based Electricity

Coal is the main source of electricity in Georgia (about 66% of electricity generated). The Union of Concerned Scientists offers some valuable insights into the impacts of coal-based electricity generation:

Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming and air toxics (including mercury, arsenic and lead). (ref http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02c.html) Burning coal also creates significant waste ash and sludge. Burning coal requires large amounts of cooling water, which is typically withdrawn from lakes and rivers, cycled through the plant, and returned to the body of water, with a significant temperature increase. This is known as thermal pollution, and can affect the aquatic ecosystems of the water bodies since the temperature can increase 20 degrees F or more. Thermal pollution can be decreased by recycling the cooling water, but this requires the consumption of cooling water by cooling towers. In either case, the withdrawn surface water can contain significant amounts of aquatic life, including fish eggs and juveniles. (refs http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02d.html; http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02b.html)

Coal comes from both surface and underground mines, which are massive operations that impact the landscape. The most dramatic and controversial of the mining practices is mountain top removal (practiced in the Appalachians), in which the tops of mountains are literally blown and ground away to reach the coal that lies beneath. The waste is often dumped into the surrounding valleys, impacting the waters flowing there and obviously altering the landscape permanently. (ref http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02a.html)

For more information, please visit the website of The Union of Concerned Scientists. Two specific areas are pertinent to this discussion:

1. “Hidden costs of Fossil Fuels:” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/fossil_fuels/the-hidden-cost-of-fossil-fuels.html

2. “The Costs of Coal:” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/fossil_fuels/costs_of_coal.html

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative also has some detailed information on several related topics:

1. Emissions: http://www.masstech.org/cleanenergy/important/envemissions.htm
2. Climate Change: http://www.masstech.org/cleanenergy/important/envclimate.htm Also see EPA’s Climate Change Information: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
3. Health: http://www.masstech.org/cleanenergy/important/envhealth.htm
4. Other Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuels: http://www.masstech.org/cleanenergy/important/envother.htm

Nuclear Electricity

Nuclear generating plants make up 29% of Georgia’s electrical production. Like coal-fired plants, nuclear facilities require large amounts of water for cooling. Additionally, one of the most obvious and controversial aspects of nuclear electricity generation is the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Currently, spent fuel is stored in over 100 sites around the country, and the U.S. Department of Energy has been studying a site in Yucca Mountain, Nevada for a consolidated storage facility. The site has been under study since 1978, and the lack of agreement on a solution indicates the controversy over safe storage of nuclear waste. Another salient issue surrounding nuclear generation facilities is the potential safety hazard represented by a potential malfunction. On the other hand, nuclear facilities create no greenhouse gas emissions or other air emissions.

For more information, see:

1. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative: http://www.masstech.org/cleanenergy/energy/sources.htm
2. US Department of Energy’s information on Energy and the Environment: http://www.energy.gov/environment/index.htm

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