Do you know where your power comes from?

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

1. By aBadReid

   3/30/09 at 5:33 a.m.

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   Sure Nevada has an increasing dependence on natural gas, Reid canceled permits for any new future coal fired plants!

   Not that this is a bad thing for the future BUT he also killed NUCLEAR POWER!

   Note the very small percentages of geothermal and solar (non existent)! How can they all of a sudden provide the MAJORITY of our power needs in the near future?

   Look at the United States entire usage. Nuclear Power is second to coal fired generation of power. How can we afford to kill nuclear power when a) It has a large use currently and b) It is the only viable alternative for providing clean power for the masses?

   Oh, don't worry, I'm sure Harry Reid has a master plan up his sleeve as he was the main person responsible for killing the future of nuclear power now that we have no place to store the spent fuel (aka Yucca Mountain).

   I know I'm sleeping sound knowing my energy need's future is in his hands!! YIKES!!

   Bad Reid
   Bad Senator
   http://aBadReid.com

2. By KeepNVStrong

   4/2/09 at 12:36 p.m.

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   Great story, excellent graphic! Thanks, it makes clear how big the shift has been.

   Nuclear is a turkey. New construction nuclear power plants in Finland and Turkey prove it -- they're coming in at prices well above wind or solar. New coal is also a turkey: projected plant cost for the Ely projects roughly doubled from initial projections, just like planned coal plants across the country -- that's why so many are being cancelled. States that have coal power will be the least attractive new places for businesses to locate, because they'll have the most price volatility under carbon regimes. Nevada's looking good.

   The sleeping giant in Nevada is Big Solar. Huge power projects are planned that would create jobs and tax revenues, and stabilize Nevada power prices. They'd sell power both locally and across the border into the giant California energy market. http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/2008/j... from last year has a sketch of where projects are planned.

   Senator Reid has done some amazing things for Nevada, maybe none bigger than his achievement getting the long-term solar tax policies in place. Last year he introduced legislation 10 times that would speed construction of planned solar power plants in Nevada; finally it passed when he made it part of the "bank bailout" bill.

   As the solar plant construction gets rolling, and you have a job because of it, remember who to thank.

3. By jfnance32

   4/2/09 at 12:52 p.m.

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   Solar and Wind can not provide 24/7 reliable energy.

   And they are also expensive sources of energy.

   We should not be based on 24/7 reliable energy just on natural gas. Natural gas prices go up and down too much.

   I think we are screwing ourselves over.

   I am sure that in 10 to 20 years will this is one big mess that the Sun and Democrats will say, "Who me? I dunno nothing."

4. By airweare

   4/2/09 at 1:35 p.m.

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   JFNance is the dumbest person to ever contribute to this web site. He can't spell, punctuate, write a sentence or think clearly. He is an excellent example of what a knee-jerk reactionary is: selfish, ignorant and mouthy. Unlike fossil fuels, wind and sun can provide sustainable energy in the future. Nothing else can. Not coal, gas, oil, nuclear or hydro. They are temporary and known as destructive to life on the planet. Solar and wind do no harm.

5. By KeepNVStrong

   4/2/09 at 4:24 p.m.

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   Have a look at www.aps.com/solana -- just next door in Arizona a solar power plant is being with energy storage so that it's as reliable as a gas-fired power plant for energy supply. Power when you want it 24/7. The technology is economical and proven.

   Every time a solar power plant like Solana gets built, it delivers 10 times the jobs and 10 times the in-state revenues of a gas-fired power plant the same size, according to a 2006 study carried out by the Black & Veatch, one of the world's largest builders of conventional power plants.

   We could use a few more plants like Solana and Nevada Solar One giving us stable electricity prices, making our state a more attractive place for businesses to come, and creating jobs right now. Let's get building.

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