Energy

Show Only ...
Maps - Photos - Videos

Water for Coal

|

How it Works: Water for Coal

"Coal-fired power plants, which produce almost half of the country’s electricity, have significant impacts on water quantity and quality in the United States. Water is used to extract, wash, and sometimes transport the coal; to cool the steam used to make electricity in the power plant; and to control pollution from the plant. The acts of mining and burning coal, as well as dealing with the waste, also can have major effects on water quality."

Unplug Your Unused Appliances

|

An alarm clock or cellphone charger might consume 10 watts on average plugged into the outlet. If that 10 watt device is left in the outlet 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, it will consume approximately 87.5 kWh year.

For the sake of this analysis, let’s assume that we use 100% coal fired electricity, sold a residential home for 15 cents per kWh:

  • $0.15 per kWh (Hudson Valley price)
  • 1.04 lb of coal consumed per kWh (modern coal plant with NOx and SOx controls)
  • 0.35 lb of coal ash produced per kWh (modern coal plant with NOx and SOx controls)
  • 0.7 gallons of water consumed per kWh (modern recirculating water coal plant, water discarded as vapor in cooling tower)

In one year that 10 watt device will use:

  • $13.13 in electricity
  • 91 lb of coal burned
  • 30.6 lb of coal ash landfilled
  • 61.25 gallons of water

Percentage Of Energy Comes From Fossil Fuels

|

This Google World Map looks at the percentage of each country's energy that comes from fossil fuels. Generally more developed economies rely more on fossil fuels then less developed countries.

Data Source: World Bank, World Development Index. Chart 3.6 Energy Production and Use. http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/3.6

Energy data are compiled by the International Energy Agency (IEA). IEA data for economies that are not members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are based on national energy data adjusted to conform to annual questionnaires completed by OECD member governments. Data for combustible renewables and waste are often based on small surveys or other incomplete information and thus give only a broad impression of developments and are not strictly comparable across countries. The IEA reports include country notes that explain some of these differences. All forms of energy - primary energy and primary electricity - are converted into oil equivalents. A notional thermal efficiency of 33 percent is assumed for converting nuclear electricity into oil equivalents and 100 percent efficiency for converting hydroelectric power.

New London School explosion

|

New London School explosion

"The New London School explosion occurred on March 18, 1937, when a natural gas leak caused an explosion, destroying the London School of New London, Texas,[1] a community in Rusk County previously known as "London". The disaster killed more than 295 students and teachers, making it the deadliest school disaster in American history. As of 2014, the event is the third deadliest disaster in the history of Texas, after the 1900 Galveston hurricane, and the 1947 Texas City disaster."

Trump’s Proposed Budget Would Cut Conservation Right Where It’s Needed Most

|

Trump’s Proposed Budget Would Cut Conservation Right Where It’s Needed Most

"A broad coalition committed to safeguarding the future of our country’s fish and wildlife populations, outdoor recreation opportunities, and national heritage is dismayed at the deep level of cuts recommended by President Trump in an official budget request released today."

"If enacted, Trump’s budget proposal would offset a $54-billion boost to defense spending by cutting foreign aid and domestic programs. This includes a proposed 12-percent decrease to the Department of the Interior budget, which is likely to slash resources needed to manage public and private lands, support state management of fish and wildlife, and enact conservation across the country. This would have devastating impacts on the ground for natural resources, historic sites, and the rural American communities that thrive off outdoor recreation and tourism spending."