A Drought's Impact On Our Energy Grid

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-07-31/droughts-impact-our-energy-grid
A Drought's Impact On Our Energy Grid

Record-setting droughts in the Midwest and South are threatening more than crops: half of the nation's water goes to cooling power plants.

Most people don't think about the connection between energy and water, but about half of the nation's water use is related to cooling power plants. Oil and gas productions also account for millions of gallons a day. This means that record-setting droughts in the Midwest and South are threatening power plants during the peak usage periods in summer months.

Guests

Michael Webber

Co-Director, Clean Energy Incubator; Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Associate Director, Center for International Energy & Environmental Policy

Steven LeVine

Fellow, New America Foundation; contributing editor, Foreign Policy magazine

Related Links

The New York Times: "Will Drought Cause the Next Blackout?"

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