Energy and Pollution Prevention
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definitions
- Links for the Energy & Environment Connection
- Current Projects OPP is Involved With
- Energy-Related Newsletters
- Ohio EPA Pollution Prevention Fact Sheets
- Energy Information outside of Ohio EPA
Introduction
Using energy, (e.g. turning on a light) seems harmless enough. However, producing that energy requires resources and contributes to air and water pollultion. Each day your local power plant will comonly burn coal oil or natural gas in order to generate electricity for your energy needs. While burning these fossil fuels produces a readily available and instantaneous supply of electricity, it also generates air pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), Sulfur Dioxide and Trioxide (SOx) and Nitrogen Oxides(NOx).
In addition to these major air pollutants, burning fossil fuels for electicity generation also releases "trace metals" such as beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, murcury, nickel, and silver into the environment every day.
Strip mining, acid mine drainage, natural gas leaks, oil spills, boiler ash, and nuclear fuel waste are all also by-products of electricity generation. What about those expensive scrubbers that electric companys install on their plants to reduce air emissions? Scrubber equipment produces trainloads of scrubber waste every that must be disposed of on land where it threatens water resources, simply moving the problem from one place in the environment to another.
Should you feel guilty everytime you turn on your lights? The answer is No. There are many ways to reduce pollution from energy generation, the first and most important being energy efficiency. Whether you are a large buisness or a residential customer, you can take simple steps to reduce electrical consumption lower your costs as well.
There are also many clean, non-polluting, and renewable ways to produce energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal to name a few.
The Ohio EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention (OPP) actively supports energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Definitions
Renewable Energy - Sources of energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass that provide long-term sustainable solutions for the world's energy needs with minimal impacts on the environment.
Energy Efficiency - Making existing applications that use enrgy (from any source - coal, natural gas, renewable, etc.) more efficient.
Links for the Energy & Environment Connection
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- The Energy-Environment Connection
- Ohio Guide to Energy and Energy Efficiency
- Pollution Prevention Benefits from Renewable energy
- Energy Technologies and Clean Solutions
- Energy Savings at Home
- Your Green guide to Cleaner electricity, by REPP - (renewable energy policy project)
Current Projects OPP is involved with
- Consumer Energy P2 Information
- Solar Schools
- Pollution Prevention and Global Warming
- Ohio Renewable Energy Organization (OREO)
Energy Related Newsletters
Ohio EPA Pollution Prevention Fact Sheets
- Fact Sheet 32: Green Lights: A Bright Investment In the Future
- The Management of Fluorescent Lamps and PCB Ballasts in Ohio
Energy Information Outside of Ohio EPA
- City of Toledo Municipl Energy Management Project
- Ohio Energy Project
- Ohio Office of Energy Services
- Ohio's Energy Efficiency Stories (from Power Boosters)
- Ohio Motor Challenge
- Municipal Energy Success Stories
- U.S. EPA Green Lights / Energy Efficient Buildings Program
- U.S. EPA Energy Star Program
- American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
- Renewable Energy Wholesale Suppliers in Ohio
- TARP2 Energy Links
- Solar Cell Animation - how it works