| Let's start first by talking about 2 different | | | | time. Nine years later the Grand Coulee dam was |
| categories of alternative energy. | | | | completed. Although bigger than Hoover Dam it now |
| The first is Renewable Energy. Renewable can be | | | | ranks 38th in the world. The current largest dam in |
| defined as energy that does not deplete natural | | | | the world is the Three Gorges Dam in china. |
| resources. You may have heard the "cradle to cradle" | | | | Nuclear energy is probably the most debated source |
| analogy. Simply put it is reusable. Solar Power, Wind | | | | of alternative energy.One side points out that it is a |
| Power, Geothermal and Biomass are all forms of | | | | highly efficient means of generating electricity.It's |
| renewable energy, and they are alternatives. | | | | emits Carbon Dioxide which is good for plant life. The |
| The sun comes up most every day. The wind blows | | | | other side sites the accidents at Chernobyl and Three |
| a good portion of the time. More in some places than | | | | Mile Island as being good reason to stay away from |
| others. Geothermal is right below our feet, and | | | | nuclear. Also the radioactive waste that can stay in |
| biomass is usable trash that otherwise clogs up our | | | | the ground if buried for over a thousand years. In it's |
| landfills. | | | | defense safety issues are in place and nuclear plants |
| These are the most talked about renewable energy | | | | still in operation appear to be safer than ever. |
| forms. Solar has been used by the US government | | | | It is up to us to make wise decisions going forward |
| to operate satellites since the 1960s. Wind power has | | | | so that our children can pass along a clean |
| been used in the Midwest US farms since the | | | | environment to their children. The buck stops here |
| 1920s.A geothermal system was first patented in | | | | with us. Knowledge is power and what we do with |
| 1912. Biomass is gaining in popularity. So it is not like | | | | this power will determine the quality of life for future |
| these are secret technologies being pioneered in our | | | | generations. We can not stand blindly by and watch |
| time. | | | | our world natural resources being depleted at record |
| They are being perfected though and that is the | | | | rates. There are Alternative Energy Resources. |
| thing to be aware of. The efficiency of these | | | | Some of us are already working in these fields. Green |
| systems improve while the costs to buy them are | | | | Jobs are on the rise. Solar and Wind power installers. |
| coming down. | | | | You can get online training for all sorts of things. Are |
| Now let's talk about the other Alternative Energy | | | | you thinking of a career? |
| Sources. First is Hydro Power. The US has about | | | | How about becoming a Certified Energy Auditor? This |
| 2,000 operating plants. Boulder Dam was built back in | | | | course takes home inspection to a new level. You |
| 1936 and the name was changed to Hoover Dam in | | | | can get training online. You can become a certified |
| honor of Herbert Hoover. It was the largest at the | | | | solar installer as well. Remember Knowledge is Power! |