Power & Water at Risk

Webinar PRESENTATION August 2011

About Us
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) has been a leading advocate for clean, responsible energy choices that better our communities, our region and our world for over 25 years. Since its formal inception in 1985, SACE has grown from a small group of individuals into a dynamic organization, with five offices across the Southeast and initiatives at federal, state and local levels. As we look towards the future, SACEs commitment to preserve, restore and protect our environment through the use of innovative technology, community outreach, education, and pioneer policy work remains steadfast.

For more information on Southern Alliance for Clean Energy please visit www.cleanenergy.org

Water Use by the Electricity Sector in Georgia

Largest water use sector, followed by agriculture Thermoelectric plants in Georgia used more than half, 2737 million gallons per day (mgd), of the total surface water used in the state (2005) Some is consumed, primarily as evaporative loss during cooling 187 mgd consumed; 7% of total water withdrawals
Source: http://www.georgiawaterplanning.org/pages/forecasting/energy_water_use.php

New Power Plant Proposals

Continued Reliance on Water Intensive Energy Choices 3 new coal plants proposed in Georgia LS Power plant in Early County, 1200 MW Plant Washington, 850 MW Ben Hill, 850 MW 2 new nuclear reactors proposed in Georgia at existing Plant Vogtle, additional ~2200 MW ~53-83 mgd additional withdrawals from Savannah River 50-75% consumptive loss

Statewide Water Planning

Georgias regional water planning process, mandated by state law in 2008, is nearing the close of its first planning phase Plan established a Regional Planning Process and 11 planning regions throughout the state Plan is to help guide Georgia in managing water resources in a sustainable manner to support the states economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens Key element of this planning process is the assessment of current water use and forecasted needs

Energy Forecasting
Serious flaws with energy forecasting exist
Only presents high growth, high water use scenarios Business-as-usual approach 1000MW of additional capacity added every year from 2021-2050 Overlooks less water intensive energy supply options and water-conserving energy efficiency measures Electric utilities are laying claim to Georgias water resources, positioning themselves to be the first, highest and best use of the water Several power plant scenarios are overlooked/ignored
http://www.georgiawaterplanning.org/pages/forecasting/ energy_water_use.php

Energy Forecasting Recommendations

EPD should directly address shortcomings, including: Significant overestimation of the amount of water the state needs to set aside for electricity generation Failure to provide a low-water consuming energy scenario Essential Next Step: Develop a Water Conserving Scenario to more realistically predict future electrical generation and show a water conserving path forward for the electric sector (see SACE June 2011 comments and expert report)
Links: http://www.cleanenergy.org/images/files/ F_CommentsontheTechnicalEnergyForecastingMemo_v110622.pdf and http://www.cleanenergy.org/images/testimony/ F_SACE_WaterEnergySectorComment062311.pdf

Get Involved with Statewide Water Planning

Regional water councils submitted their plans in May to GA EPD Public comment period ended 6/23/11 visit the water planning website www.georgiawaterplanning.org to view comments, submitted plans, etc. Water councils may revise their plans based on public comments and EPD feedback Councils must submit final plans to EPD by 9/30/11 attend council meetings; talk to council members Contact Sara Barczak, sara@cleanenergy.org, or the Georgia Water Coalition, www.georgiawater.org, to get involved

Energy and Water in a Warming World Ini1a1ve Union of Concerned Scien3sts

Erika Spanger-Siegfried

Photo credit: J. Wes Bobbit

Photo source: EPA

Power plants need water

Source: EPA

Power Plant Cooling Technologies

Once-through systems Recircula3ng systems Dry-cooling systems

Water quan3ty is at risk

U.S. water withdrawal

Photo source: SACE

Water quality is at risk

Water troubles can force plants to dial back power produc3on or shut down altogether

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Risks Across Regions

Hydropower reliance: NORTHEAST MIDWEST Historic LAINS Risky business GREAT Pburdens and near-term choices Water-intensive power: l ma9er of 1me Groundwater overdraM: Aooming decits

NORTHWEST

Spotlight on the Southwest

Spotlight on the Southwest

Spotlight on the Southeast

Photo source: SACE

Spotlight on the Southeast

Thank you!
Erika Spanger-Siegfried esiegfried@ucsusa.org John Rogers jrogers@ucsusa.org Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org/energy-water

THE ENERGY-WATER COLLISION

Power and Water at Risk

Erika Spanger-Siegfried Energy and Water in a Warming World Ini1a1ve Union of Concerned Scien3sts