What about the Water Footprint?
With climate change on everyone’s radar screen this month the discussion is focused on “carbon footprint”. But last month’s GOA study on the use of water in biofuel production reminds us that there is a water-energy nexus. By some counts half of all water consumed in the U.S. is used to produce energy. Coal fired generation consumes a gallon of water for every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced (and emits two pounds of carbon dioxide).
When GHG reporting kicks in next year should there also be reporting on “water footprint”? Some alternative energy technologies are already touting zero water usage. It is a current issue, not one for 2050—Georgia (where electric utilities use 68 percent of all surface water) came close to losing electric supply when recent drought conditions reduced cooling water availability. Are “water offsets” in our future? Of course there is already a law that may cover this — the Law of Conservation of Matter.
Tags: alternative energy, biofuels, GHG, greenhouse gas reporting, Michigan alternative energy, Michigan energy, water
Energy | Bruce Goodman | 18 December 2009 |
