TRADITIONAL ENERGY SOURCES
All methods of producing usable energy have some impact on our environment, but the traditional methods of energy production, the burning of fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) and nuclear, have far more negative impact than most. Fossil fuels release carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur compounds into our atmosphere that cause climate changes potentially detrimental to human habitation. The two most serious threats are global warming and acid rain.
Nuclear energy has its own set of problems. The first concern is the safety of nuclear plants. Power plants by necessity must be located reasonably close to the region they serve. In most cases this means a highly populated area. To have highly radioactive material so close to populated areas is a safety concern, plus the fuel rods must be transported to and from the power plant through these populated areas. The second concern is the disposal of the spent fuel rods. These rods remain extremely hazardous for thousands of years, and we have yet to determine a fool proof method for their disposal. These first two concerns lead to a third---cost. Regulations due to safety concerns make the building of new nuclear plants cost prohibitive.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy technologies are Green Power sources. Renewable energy is any source of energy that is constantly being replaced, or at least, a source of energy that will not be depleted in any reasonable time frame. By convention, renewable energy sources are also environmentally friendly; it is Green Power. For example solar energy is a renewable energy, but in a few billion years the sun will consume all of its fuel. However, for all practical purposes, the energy supply from the sun will always be available to us.
The major types of renewable energy are: wind, photovoltaic (solar), solar thermal, geothermal, oceanic, biomass, and hydroelectric.
Hydroelectric power is the kind of green power produced by Bowersock Mills and Power Company. It produces no toxic emmisions, nor does it contribute to global warming or acid rain. In fact, by using hydropower instead of fossil fuels, Bowersock substantially reduces the amount of pollutants in our air.
The pool above the Bowersock dam provides the City of Lawrence with a reliable source of drinking water, even during periods of drought. The area around the Bowersock dam has also become a favorite hunting and nesting area for our national symbol, the bald eagle, during the winter months. This is green power at its best! If your house were powered by hydro power rather than coal you would prevent 7.2 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. How “green” is Bowersock? While there is some debate over the environmental impacts of hydroelectric power, Bowersock has been designated as a “low-impact” hydropower facility. This means that in comparison to other hydroelectric power plants, Bowersock’s environmental impacts are limited. Read more about Bowersock’s LIHI certification.
WHY DO WE NEED GREEN POWER?
It's the economy! Modern economies are built on energy. The strongest economies are the ones that produce the most goods and services for the lowest cost. These are also the ecomomies that are the most mechanized and technically advanced and, therefore, the ones that use the most energy!
If we are to continue to expand our economy and improve our standard of living, increased energy supplies will be necessary. If we rely on the traditional sources of energy (fossil fuels), we will continue to pollute the air we breathe and endanger our environment. In addition, there is only a finite reserve of oil, gas and coal. In fact, our supplies of oil are anticipated to last only for 100 more years. The only logical alternative to fossil fuels is green power. Currently, Bowersock Mills and Power is the largest (and oldest) producer of green power in Kansas. You can buy Bowersock’s green attributes by buying Zephyr Energy.