energy diversity

[dotnmarty]

just came upon this interesting chart from the
Edison Institute.
Frankly, I wouldn't have guessed the mix is what it is.

http://www.getenergyactive.org/fuel/mix.htm

 

[thataway]

Much of the East, and central US are coal fired--Not sure what the surprise was, but my father was in the power game, and this was not surprising to me.

 

[Casey]

That's an interesting chart - and yes, I was rather surprised as well. We probably need to applaud the hard working coal miners.

Oh I know that'll aggravate some of the greenies (hell, I was a Nat'l Park Ranger for 20+ years; so I can say that...) but maybe we need to give serious thought to how we intend to keep the lights-on, or we'll be doing our thinking in the Dark.

I don't tend to think favorably about France too often, but the fact that they get 60-70% of their electricity from Nuc energy impresses me. Sure, there are problems (waste storage is near the top of the list), but the safety record of western nuclear plants over the past decades has been Most impressive (not to mention the use of nuc energy aboard sub's and aircraft carriers, etc.).

Just some thoughts. Do I have to turn-in my environmentalist status now?

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
Lake Montezuma, AZ

 

[dotnmarty]

Much of the East, and central US are coal fired--Not sure what the surprise was .

Click on the 'fuel mix where I live' link at the bottom right of the page. I was most surprised that here in Washington State 75% of the electricity is 'hydro' generated.

 

[thataway]

I believe that Grand Coolie Dam is one of the largest hydro generators in the US.

Not sure where hydro power is going, but there are environmental and other problems with the aging hydro systems. Probably there are folks on the list who know far more about the current state of hydro power. Most of Calif. hydro stations are quite aged, and the lakes have their own problems, along with the influence on fish populations.

I personally feel that we have to increase our nuculear power generation--and that currently that is the "best" fix. There are certainly other "solutions"--I have a distant cousin who has been living off the grid in Montana since 1973, so it can be done--but even solar is not entirely environmentally friendly, with the production of the solar cells etc...

 

[oldgrowth]

Marty – thanks for posting the link. Nothing I was not already aware of there.

Just as a side note. Hydropower is considered a renewable resource everywhere except here in Washington State. A few years ago we had a chance to vote on mandating energy companies here in Washington purchase 15% of their energy from renewable resources. Hydropower was not a viable option (hydropower is not considered a renewable resource in Washington state). California had a similar referendum and hydro power was considered a renewable resource. They now buy the 15% of our hydro power that we can not use at our cost and we pay a premium for wind power to supplement the 15% that California buys.

I could say much more but then I would be getting political so will end it here.
________
Dave