Feb 26 2009

You Don't Miss Your Water...

Posted by: Jennifer Zerwer

A report issued today by Ceres and the Pacific Institute warns that water scarcity, made worse by climate change and growing demand, will increasingly threaten the global economy. Water is crucial for the economy, driving such industry sectors as electric power, high-tech, beverage, agriculture, apparel, biotechnology/pharmaceutical, forest products and metals/mining firms. In fact, the power industry is responsible for 39 percent of all freshwater withdrawals in the U.S. alone.

As PG&E adds conventional sources of power generation to back up its growing renewable energy portfolio and energy efficiency efforts, the company is doing its part to reduce the environmental impact of these plants. PG&E's new Gateway Generating Station incorporates the latest fuel-efficient and environmentally sensitive technologies. Situated along a river in Antioch, Calif., the 530 megawatt natural gas plant features "dry cooling" technology and combined cycle technology.

The results? Gateway requires 97 percent less water and produces 96 percent less discharge than a plant with a conventional water cooling system, all of which helps to protect the Delta Smelt. Compared to older plants, Gateway also yields 35 percent less carbon dioxide for every megawatt hour of power produced.

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