An article in The Wall Street Journal ("Water worries shape local energy decisions," March 26, 2009, page A3) says, "Advocates for alternative energy are discovering that water issues may prove to be as important a selling point for the industry as reducing carbon dioxide emissions."
The story called attention to a recent U.S. Energy Department report that indicated a megawatt of energy generated by a gas-fired plant requires between 200 and 600 gallons of water. A megawatt generated by a wind turbine? Zero.
Putting this issue in a national perspective is the observation by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) that the relationship between energy generation and water has become more important "in [power plant] permitting decisions across the country."
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