Depleting freshwater supplies and unpredictable weather patterns that could bring rain to an area are causing much concern over future water supplies. Places like California have seen, in recent years, severe drought to the point where once gushing rivers are now trickling streams. Water rationing has become a normal way of life for many Californians…
Category: Renewables
An example of a clear cut site in Roanoke, North Carolina.
If trees are replanted after harvesting, woody biomass is proven to give lower carbon emissions than coal and it makes sense to phase in a few more plants. Wood currently is not as efficient as coal and co-firing is still being explored with 15% co-firing showing promise. Waste wood biomass groups talk about branches, bent trees…
South Carolina is known for its beaches and nice weather but recently has been getting attention for the abundance of forested land. The state has so much wood that the timber industry is comparable in profit to the booming tourist industry. Timber brings in 18.6 billion dollars with tourism bringing in slight more at $19.1…
Currently, residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as batteries and energy storage on a residential scale, are not affordable for the average person. Batteries and solar PV will become more affordable (as shown above) over time with ever-improving technology and decreases cost as the market for energy storage and residential solar PV installation matures becoming…
Quick Facts on Solar Affordability: The cost of a solar panel lease is about $700 a year The Federal government reimburses up to 30% of installation costs South Carolina has tax incentives up to 25% $18k in “profit” for SC residents in 15 years by adding tax credits and electricity savings over this period Costs…
According to The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification (LEED), “In the US, buildings account for 38 percent of all CO2 emissions.” LEED works to reduce environmental and societal impact of current buildings by reducing energy use, water use, and improving air quality through proper planning. Certification is aimed at new and innovative…
The Clean Power Plan (CPP) is designed to limit future carbon pollution from power plants. It emphasizes the relationship between the federal government and state governments in sharing the responsibilities and authority of implementing and enforcing changes. It showcases the various perspectives and lessons states have used to lessening carbon emissions and presents facts to…
The carbon cycle is the rotating of carbon between the earth’s oceans, atmosphere, ecosystem, geosphere, and everything in between. Carbon makes up everything from the sugars we eat to the skin on our bodies to the sun itself. The cycle happens when a herbivore eats a plant and transforms the plant material into amino acids…
On November 10th, 2014, the city of Pawleys Island passed an ordinance that would formally oppose the “placement of any wind turbines in any location where the turbines, or any part of the turbines, are visible, day or night, from thirty feet above mean high water at any point within the town of Pawleys Island.” This…