Green Energy Movement

August Biondi

Who President Nixon created The NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) in 1970 which established:

● United States Environmental Protection Agency- created to protect human health and the environment

● Council on Environmental Quality- coordinates federal environmental efforts with the white house to develop energy policies and initiatives

Nixon also passed the ● Clean Air Act- combated air pollution● Endangered Species Act- protected endangered species

Rachel Carson wrote the book Silent Spring:- Her book sparked much controversy and helped start an environmental revolution- It was about the abuse of dangerous chemicals in agriculture

Many of the goals of this movement are highlighted in these acts

WhatThe Green Energy Movement acts to advance to use and finding of renewable, clean, and sustainable energy sourcesDifferent types of green energy were developed to make renewable energy:● Nuclear Energy● Solar Energy● Wind Energy● Hydropower Energy● Geothermal Energy● Biomass

These new sources of energy are an alternate to fossil fuels. They create a limitless supply of fuel which is readily available. These new sources of energy provided clean electricity to millions in the U.S. This helped further the movement which helped to achieve its goals.

WhyFossil fuels were being overused.People began to be concerned for the future of the world and energy.By 1950, petroleum was the most used fuel in the U.S.Radioactive fallout from the war left people concerned for the environment.Events such as Love Canal* opened many eyes to how bad the environment wasEnvironmentalists began protesting for a cleaner environment

Renewable energy was considered a safe alternative.

*Love Canal was a contaminated area in Ohio where hazardous toxic waste was dumped. Many people who lived in this area developed cancer and had birth defects.

WhenMost green movement events, such as development of new power plants, new environmental acts, and incidents took place between the 60s and 80s.Some of these events included:1978: U.S. passes PURPA- which encourages the construction of alternative energy sources1979: Three Mile Island*- a malfunction in the cooling system of a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania caused a partial nuclear meltdown. Radiation was leaked into the cooling water.1981: Denmark begins wind power production1986: Chernobyl*- a surge of power released large amounts of radiation from a nuclear power plant in the Ukraine in 5 million people were contaminated and many died as a result.

*Accidents such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl are some of the worst nuclear accidents in history. These incidents, as well as many others, led people to question the safety of Nuclear Energy. In fear of possible disasters, Americans opposed Nuclear Energy.

Where

Many plants are stationed throughout the U.S.Different types of plants have to be in specific locations:

● Hydropower has to be located on water. - Such as Niagara Falls in New York● Solar power can be located anywhere where there is direct sunlight.- Many homes throughout the U.S. have solar panels on their roofs● Wind power has to be located in windy regions, usually offshore- Such as San Gorgonio Wind Farm in California

How?

During the cold war, there was much radioactive fallout. Many environmentalists acted to combat radiation to save the environment. Many protests occurred. People in support of this movement coined the name “tree-huggers” and “hippies”This created a shift in culture. These hippies opposed the cold war and stimulated a Vietnam anti-war movement. They stood for peace.Hippies were mainly young people. On the first Earth day students protested against harmful chemicals in the environment.The movement has had a very significant legacy. Green Energy spread across the globe. Despite setbacks, green energy has continued to push forward and will continue to be used in place of fossil fuels.

Solar Energy● In the 1970s, Dr. Elliot Berman designed a significantly less costly solar cell. The

price went from $100 to $20.● Solar cells were now available to a wider class of people● They could be used for people who need electricity in areas that aren’t close to

power lines● Between the 60s and 80s solar power grew in rural areas● This energy helped many people in remote areas get electricity● Solar energy also began to be used in space in the 1960s

Solar energy provides clean energy without polluting the environment.However, there are some setbacks of this source, as there are with all the sources.

Hydropower● Water mills have been in use since the Romans● Its purpose is to convert power of moving water into electrical power● By 20th century, hydroelectric power became more practical● It was needed to meet the growing demand for electricity● By the 1920s, 40% of electrical needs were met with hydroelectric power

Niagara Falls:-19th Century-Provided power to Buffalo-Financial Success-Paved the way for future hydroelectric plants

Wind/Turbine Energy● Windmills have been used since the

1600s for agricultural needs● Windturbines were developed to

capture the energy of wind in 1888● The federal government has been

trying to create a wind-energy sector since the 1970s

● Today it costs 1/10 as much as it did in the 1970s

● A setback of wind is that it is unpredictable and is therefore is hard to use efficiently

● Therefore, it can only be used in specific regions The graph shows which areas produce

the most amount of wind

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy has been the most controversial form of energy.It is a powerful and efficient source of energy. It is more reliable and produces a greater supply than solar and wind energy.However, history has proven how harmful it can be.The first Nuclear incident happened at Chalk River in 1952 where large amounts of radioactive waste leaked into the facility. Many of these events have harmed people, animals, and the environment. It produces radioactive wastes from uranium mining.All of these events were as a result of human error. Human error is unavoidable therefore,“Even Nuclear power plants that provide the strictest of safety measures cannot be considered one hundred percent foolproof.”

Advantages DisadvantagesAll:

● No pollution● Renewable (except nuclear)● Saves money ● Reduces dependency on fossil fuels

Nuclear:● Powerful and efficient● Reliable supply

Solar:● Can power remote locations● No noise● Little maintenance

Wind:● Creates jobs

Water:● Predictable● Constant and controllable source of energy

Nuclear:● Health risks from radiation● Radioactive waste● Non-renewable

Solar:● Initially is costly● Low power output● Can’t be produced in the dark and cloudy

conditions (low efficiency)Wind:

● Suited to particular regions● Noisy● Unpredictable

Water:● Costly● Effects on agriculture● Disturbance of surrounding environment● Limited use

Bibliography

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"Renewable & Non-Renewable Energy Sources." ConserveEnergyFuture. CEF, 2015. Web. 25 May 2015. <http://www.conserve-

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