Being an environmental advocate in Texas may seem like an uphill battle, and I make no bones about the fact it most certainly is.
From time-to-time I write on topics that are related to water and wastewater as a "backgrounder" so that those involved in the field can gain a wider perspective and have available to them a cogent explanation minus jargon on various topics. By Dr. J.H. Wakefield
It’s no secret that Texas is currently in the midst of a multi-year drought – yet the vast majority of our electricity comes from sources that contribute to this prolonged drought, namely coal, nuclear, and natural gas. All of these energy sources require copious amounts of water to produce electricity.
This Hamilton Project memo presents nine economic facts that provide relevant background context to the water crisis in the United States.
We’ve almost made it to the midway point of the 84th Session of the Texas Legislature. As many already know, the Texas Legislature only meets from January to May every other year, so a lot has to get done in these few months.
Since EPA released its proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) in June of this year, the plan has been a hot topic in every state.
It’s no wonder that the word "radioactive" scares people. I remember Chernobyl. I was raised on The Simpsons, with its bumbling plant operators and three-eyed fish. I've followed the Fukushima tragedy closely. But, scary or not, nuclear power isn't going anywhere soon.
As water is stretched and regulations around it tightened, the energy industry feels the burden. This can result in everything from reduced operations and higher costs for consumers to,in extreme cases, blackouts and gas and electricity shortages.
The EPA has proposed a regulation that, if passed, would set the first federal limits on the levels of toxic metals in wastewater discharged from power plants in over three decades.
Resources being a scarce commodity, it’s incumbent upon us to optimize the use of water and energy as best we can. While conservation is the prime course of action for the public, the best solution for utilities may be to work smarter — by having the water-energy nexus work for us instead of against us.
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