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In order to address the environmental concerns of our generation we must maintain a firm understanding of our energy needs, policies, and vulnerabilities. Never has there been a more important time for the public to have access to factual information.

Envirocons goal is to gather and present the needed information while also discussing the weaknesses in the current model of communication between the relevant agencies and the American people. In this piece we will attempt to accomplish the following;

• Clarification of some background information
• Breakdown of energy production in Nevada and Nationally
• Reconcile state-by-state power generation to nuclear consumption 
• Reconcile power availability within each state to the cost of power in each state

Background info  ___________________________________________ 

Electricity is created in a variety of ways and distributed across the country on a "grid" (See Western U.S. Power Distribution Grid - Right) consisting of power generating plants, distribution stations / substations, and the power lines that connect these components to one another and to our homes, businesses, and all other places where electricity is used.

A surprisingly high number of Americans are not aware that the electricity they are using is actually being produced just a fraction of a second before it is consumed and that there is no giant battery bank or storage facility for electricity. In other words, ALL electricity is live power and the demand for that power must be met minute by minute, hour by hour, and day in and day out.

Fueling our energy supply  ____________________________________ 

The most common component in each type of power generating system is a turbine that when turned acts as a generator. To turn the turbine different types of fuel are used such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Hydroelectric turbines used with dams and steam turbines used in nuclear power plants are two additional types of generators. Fig 1-1 is an illustration of how electric power is produced in the State of Nevada just as one example.

The two statistics that jump off of this page are;  1) Nationally nuclear power makes up approximately 20% of the electricity produced nationwide. 2) Nationally coal is used to produce approximately 60% of our nation's electricity. While we will spend some time talking about #2, we are going to concentrate on the nuclear aspect right now. 

The obvious question about nuclear power speaks to consumption state-by-state. Nationally we produce nearly 20% of our nation's power using nuclear technology, yet no state claims that high of energy consumption from nuclear sources. Where does the 20% go? (To be continued . . .)

Differentiated Responsibility  _________________________________

The second thing to consider where nuclear power and coal are concerned is something referred to as differentiated responsibility. The states burning more coal and producing more nuclear waste are expected to bear the lion's share of the burden for the bi-products produced from these energy processes. The problem with this philosophy is that power distribution is not structured by state boundaries. The power produced in California is used in Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon just to name a few states. Another example is that the Hoover Dam produces power from the far side of the Nevada / Arizona border yet there are entire cities in Southern California who purchase most of their power from the dam.

Furthermore, there are three nuclear plants and the Hoover Dam in California, Arizona, and Nevada yet these three states enjoy a higher per kilowatthour price than neighboring states such as Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Idaho. So, Californians and her two Southern neighbors bear the entire burden of the nuclear and hydro facilities, but the citizens of these states pay a premium on top of that burden.

Nevada, on the other hand enjoys an incredibly high per capita consumption rate from a grid that is supplied by nuclear power, yet Nevadans claim to bear no responsibility for nuclear waste (i.e.; opposition to Yucca Mountain storage facility). Now, as you see, questions abound.

Truth, Energy, and Politics  ____________________________________

Perhaps then we can get to the bottom of our planet's needs in a responsible and cooperative manner through informed, but apolitical strategies. For more on "Envirocons" and what you can do to help our nation and our planet, please read on.

Perhaps then we can get to the bottom of our planet's needs in a responsible and cooperative manner through informed, but apolitical strategies. For more on "Envirocons" and what you can do to help our nation and our planet, please read on.

Perhaps then we can get to the bottom of our planet's needs in a responsible and cooperative manner through informed, but apolitical strategies. For more on "Envirocons" and what you can do to help our nation and our planet, please read on.