Energia En Nevada

The State of Nevada in the lower Southwest of the United States currently relies heavily on nonrenewable energy sources including fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. As we strive to reduce the negative impacts from the use of nonrenewable resources and from our growing population, local and state governments are exploring new, renewable forms of energy, as well as how to increase demand through conservation. Not all energy alternatives are suited for all locations, so the advantages and disadvantages of current and possible future resources should be considered.

With winter quickly approaching, people in Nevada are beginning to start up their furnaces or heaters to warm their homes for the winter. There are several choices when it comes to choosing a fuel for heating homes, but electricity and natural gas are the two principal fuels. Another fuel source for heating homes that is regaining popularity in recent years is wood for home heating, especially in my area of living on the mountains. The recent increase in usage may be used to the increased cost of traditional fuels (State of Nevada, 2011). The more traditional fuel sources are nonrenewable energy sources while the use of wood is renewable. Though wood from trees is renewable, the burning of wood still releases carbon dioxide into atmosphere.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (2012), in 2011, Nevada used coal for approximately 54% of electricity production. The electricity produced is then used to heat homes and power our homes. Natural gas is also an important nonrenewable fuel that is actually produced in Nevada. In terms of environmental impacts, the combustion of coal results in the emission of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide (EPA, 2012). Natural gas, though it is still considered a fossil fuel, produces much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides that coal (EPA, 2012).

There are concerns with the use of radioactive material to generate electricity in Nevada, however the nuclear power industry is heavily regulated. There is an issue of where to store the used up radioactive material or waste, but in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power is much cleaner than any of the fossil fuels (EPA, 2012).

Nevada is already making great strides in terms of identifying and utilizing renewable energy sources. Solar power may be a reliable or efficient energy source in Nevada. A current estimate based on contracts in progress, estimates that 1% of Nevada’s renewable energy came from solar power by the end of 2012 (State of Nevada, 2011).

By the end of 2012, there was a significant shift in Nevada’s renewable energy ‘portfolio’. The majority of renewable energy generation in the state came from wind (93%) (State of Nevada, 2011). Though wind power has many positive environmental impacts including no emission of greenhouse gases, the land required to build the wind farms is often detrimental. In addition to being a potential ‘eye-sore’, the land cleared for the turbines could be disruptive to critical habitats. Working with the communities where the wind farms are located could ensure that the turbines are located in areas such as agricultural land where there could be dual-use of the land.

Looking over the alternatives, it is clear that I personally can do my part to reduce my negative impact on the environment. Conservation would play an important role in how I can contribute. For this winter, I can reduce the amount of electricity I use to heat my home by using a programmable thermostat so that the heat is not running all day when I am not at home. Currently, the purchase of a new hybrid car is not economically feasible, but I can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by carpooling when possible and riding my bike for short trips when the weather is nice. The third thing I can do to reduce my environmental impact

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