Conserve Water through Local Action

Energy Conservation = Water Conservation

In the United States an average of 1/2 Gallon of water is used for every kW of electricity generated. This is because 90% of US energy is produced by thermoelectric power plants which use enormous amounts of water for cooling. 

Some proposed renewable energies such as wind and PV solar do not use water or emit CO2. However, there are other 'carbon neutral' technologies that use two to three times more water than than coal fired power plants:  including types of concentrated solar power (CSP), nuclear, and geothermal energy.  In addition Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) greatly increases the amount of water used by a power plant.

With this in mind we are advocating that decisions about the types of alternative energies implemented should take into account the impact on local water resources when prior to deciding on which 'carbon neutral' energy solutions are implemented.  To learn more, check out our data slides, the power point presentation given in Copenhagen, and our published article - 'Evaluating Water Resouce Mangement in the Face of a Carbon Market'.