Utah State Energy Initiative Webquest
Governor's 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan
On June 8, 2010, Governor Herbert launched the formal planning process for the Utah Energy Initiative, including the 10-year strategic energy plan. He said:
"I have assembled an astute and diverse working group to provide oversight and general recommendations, and to facilitate input from all interested parties and stakeholders.
"In my State of the State address, I announced my intent to create the Utah Energy Initiative—a 10-year strategic energy plan that combines Utah's rich abundance of diverse natural resources with our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to ensure that Utah is at the forefront of solving the world's energy challenges.
"Initiatives and Objectives
June 8, 2010
Source: Utah's Office of Energy Development
"I have assembled an astute and diverse working group to provide oversight and general recommendations, and to facilitate input from all interested parties and stakeholders.
"In my State of the State address, I announced my intent to create the Utah Energy Initiative—a 10-year strategic energy plan that combines Utah's rich abundance of diverse natural resources with our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to ensure that Utah is at the forefront of solving the world's energy challenges.
"Initiatives and Objectives
- Ensure Utah's continued access to our own clean and low-cost energy resources.
- Develop and deploy new cutting-edge technologies that combine Utah's traditional fuels with future opportunities for renewables.
- Create new energy-related manufacturing opportunities and jobs in Utah.
- Address future transmission, generation, and other infrastructure needs, largely through regulatory reform.
- Promote energy efficiency and conservation.
- Expand and facilitate responsible development of Utah's energy resources, including traditional fuels, alternative fuels, and renewable fuels.
- Expand opportunities for Utah to both market and export fuels, electricity and technologies to regional and global markets.
- Enhance and further integrate partnerships between industry, universities, state government and local communities—especially those in energy-rich rural communities—to address future energy challenges and opportunities.
- Collaborate with other Western states to present a strong and unified voice to federal regulatory agencies on energy and public land issues"
June 8, 2010
Source: Utah's Office of Energy Development
Overview
You and your Energy Consulting Company have been asked by the State of Utah's Office of Energy Development task force to assist in the development of the Governor's 10 year Strategic Energy Plan. Your company's focus is on section 1, 4, 5 & 6 of the plans initiatives to promote energy efficiency and conservation, and expand and facilitate responsible development of Utah's energy resources with a focus on alternative and renewable fuels.
As a part of your plan development, you must be able to address the concerns of many stakeholders who will be at the discussion table. You must be able to appeal to the Businessman / Entrepreneur, who is looking to possibly invest in your project, the land owners that your project may be built on, government officials from other local, state and federal governmental agencies, the homeowners who pay the electric bill and property taxes, and the environmentalist / conservationist who want to minimize human impact on the environment, and others who have a vested interest in your project.
Be prepared to present your energy plan to the public in a town hall meeting where you will meet all of these people and more.
As a part of your plan development, you must be able to address the concerns of many stakeholders who will be at the discussion table. You must be able to appeal to the Businessman / Entrepreneur, who is looking to possibly invest in your project, the land owners that your project may be built on, government officials from other local, state and federal governmental agencies, the homeowners who pay the electric bill and property taxes, and the environmentalist / conservationist who want to minimize human impact on the environment, and others who have a vested interest in your project.
Be prepared to present your energy plan to the public in a town hall meeting where you will meet all of these people and more.
Task
As an energy consulting company, you will need to be specialists in at least 6 of the alternative forms of renewable energy. Research the basic 6 energy sources and formulate an energy plan that would work for the State and Geographical setting of Utah. You will be presenting your proposal in a town hall meeting at the state capital. Be prepared to meet the public, governmental officials, and other special interest groups.
Alternative Fuels & Renewable Energy Sources
Below are some basic sources of suggested forms of alternative energy.
To find out more about these sources of alternative energy - click on the picture below.
To find out more about these sources of alternative energy - click on the picture below.
* Please note that you are not limited to these basic 6 forms of alternative energy sources. If you have another idea, please feel free to include them as a viable alternative.
Additional Resources
Nuclear Sources
Resource What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – where would you build the power plant(s)? Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit A good source: Commodity.com Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? |
Hydro-electric
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Solar Power
Resource What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant(s)? Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How can it work for individual homes? Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? |
Biomass Energy
Resource What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant(s)? Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? |
Wind Energy
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Wind Energy Map of Utah
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Informational Maps
Process
Download the Energy Assessment paper.
Day 1: Introduction to the webquest & basic forms of alternative sources of energy
Day 2 & 3: Further research & Plan Development
Day 4 & 5: Presentation
- Research all six sources of energy
- Obtain 6 copies of the Energy Assessment hand outs.
- At the top of the page, make a brief summary of what the energy source is and how each energy option works.
- Fill in the next table with the pro’s and con’s of each energy source.
- In the conclusion section, write a paragraph description as to why you did or did not choose that source of energy as the option for Utah (Be specific when defending your position).
- Discuss as a group what direction you want to take your research and energy plan.
Day 2 & 3: Further research & Plan Development
- Make a final evaluation of all your energy resources and create an energy plan that would best fit the Geography of Utah – be prepared to defend it.
- Be sure to address the questions found in the "Plan Development" section.
Day 4 & 5: Presentation
- As a group, creatively present your energy solutions to the class in either a PowerPoint presentation, poster, website or other media related avenue, and describe your energy plan. Be prepared to answer questions from the populous.
Plan Development
Your plan should include and address the following:
Energy Use/Need:
–What are the current energy consumption rates? (how much energy do people use already for home, work, travel?
–How much energy does coal produce?
–How are you going to replace the energy loss if we stop using coal/oil?
–Will your plan produce enough energy for Utah?
Alternative Energy Sources:
–How do they work?
–How reliable are they? (does the energy source run out often?)
–What are you going to do if one fails/ runs out? (what is your back-up idea(s)?)
Resources:
–Where would you build it? (Ex: You need moving water for a dam, wind for windmills etc…)
–How are you going to transport the energy to the city where its needed?
–Where can you best find the resources in the state?
–Does it have waste products?
–Where would you put or handle the waste? (Can we recycle it?)
»“Waste products” are substances you can’t use for energy or that pollute.
Economics:
–How will this impact the economy? (is it practical or will it change life as we know it?)
–How expensive will it be? – is it cost effective?
–How will we pay for this and recoup the costs?
–Public (taxes/grants) v. Private Funding from investors – who’s going fund it?
–Will we be able to replace the lost jobs from Fossil Fuel production?
-How many jobs will this create?
-Who owns the land that you plan on building your facility on?
-What approach will you take to make it appealing to the land owner to make it a win/win proposition?
Environmental:
–How will the surrounding habitats be affected?
»Can it be minimized?
–How are you going to address the environmental concerns and issues (cons)?
Energy Use/Need:
–What are the current energy consumption rates? (how much energy do people use already for home, work, travel?
–How much energy does coal produce?
–How are you going to replace the energy loss if we stop using coal/oil?
–Will your plan produce enough energy for Utah?
Alternative Energy Sources:
–How do they work?
–How reliable are they? (does the energy source run out often?)
–What are you going to do if one fails/ runs out? (what is your back-up idea(s)?)
Resources:
–Where would you build it? (Ex: You need moving water for a dam, wind for windmills etc…)
–How are you going to transport the energy to the city where its needed?
–Where can you best find the resources in the state?
–Does it have waste products?
–Where would you put or handle the waste? (Can we recycle it?)
»“Waste products” are substances you can’t use for energy or that pollute.
Economics:
–How will this impact the economy? (is it practical or will it change life as we know it?)
–How expensive will it be? – is it cost effective?
–How will we pay for this and recoup the costs?
–Public (taxes/grants) v. Private Funding from investors – who’s going fund it?
–Will we be able to replace the lost jobs from Fossil Fuel production?
-How many jobs will this create?
-Who owns the land that you plan on building your facility on?
-What approach will you take to make it appealing to the land owner to make it a win/win proposition?
Environmental:
–How will the surrounding habitats be affected?
»Can it be minimized?
–How are you going to address the environmental concerns and issues (cons)?
Stakeholder Roles
The following are stakeholders who have a vested interest in your project. Each want to make sure that their concerns are addressed - otherwise, your project may be hampered and not move forward. Be sure that your plan addresses their concerns.
Businessman / Entrepreneur / Investor:
The businessman / entrepreneur / investor is a person who is one looking to invest his/her money into a plan that looks feasible and profitable; one that benefits the masses. They have a solid understanding of the economy and how money flows through a business, the government and other various pockets throughout society. They look for opportunities and ideas that require little money down and large returns, and are generally interested in job creation.
This group may ask questions such as:
· If you are going to use private funding from investors – why should I invest in your energy project/plan?
· How much will a facility cost?
· How much energy will your energy produce?
· How much will this cost to produce the energy / kWh?
· How will you recoup the costs of production?
· How much will you charge the customers per kWh?
· How can you minimize production costs to make it profitable - so that we can fund maintenance etc?
Taxpayer / Homeowner:
Homeowners are responsible for paying to heat the air in their homes and the water that they use. Currently, coal and fossil fuels provide low cost heating for the state of Utah. Many home owners may be struggling financially, some are on fixed incomes, while others may have enough income to handle any increases.
A homeowner/taxpayer may ask the following in their concerns:
· Will the proposed energy plan cost more than what I am currently paying?
· If you are using tax revenue from the public funds - how much will my taxes go up?
· If the Power Plant is built in my neighborhood will that decrease the value of my home?
· Are there going to be waste products produced that will be too dangerous to have near my family and neighborhood?
Environmentalist:
The environmentalist is concerned about the natural habitats of plants and animals, and in maintaining a healthy environment.
An environmentalist may ask the following questions:
· Where will the new power plant (or plants) be built? What plants and animals live in the area, and will they be forced to find new homes?
· What are the waste products that are produced by the new power plant?
· Where will the waste products be stored?
· Will structures be built that will interrupt the migration of fish, birds, or other animals?
Outdoor Enthusiast
Many people enjoy the outdoors—hikers, cyclists, fishermen, campers, boaters, Scouting groups, families, and skiers are just a few of the kinds of people who enjoy spending their time away from big cities.
The Outdoor Enthusiast may ask:
· How will hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping grounds be affected by the building of a new power plant? (Will dams be created that will change the fish population? Will the migration of elk be affected? etc)
· What waste products will be produced by the new power plant(s)?
· How will the waste products of the new power plant(s) affect areas where people camp, fish, hike, bike, or visit?
· What type of land will the new power plant(s) be built upon (private land, public land)?
Land Owner / Bureau of Land Management / Forest Service
Land owners may be farmers or simply owners of land. The Bureau of Land Management is a Federal Government agency under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that oversees the vast stretches of Federal public lands. The U.S. Forest Service maintains forests for future generations. Both the BLM and Forest Service are interested in energy production for the whole U.S. with the minimum impact on the environment. They do NOT run any facilities, nor invest in the facilities, but they do collect revenues for other functions.
The private land owner may ask:
· Why should I give up my land for your project?
· What’s in this for me - how do you plan on compensating me for the use of my land?
· How will this affect the value of my land?
· How will this affect the ability to run my farm?
· How will this impact my crops, farm or family?
The BLM & the Forest Service may ask:
· How will the habitats be minimally affected?
· How will the American People benefit from this venture?
· How much will we expect to make from this venture so that we can maintain the public lands.
Work Force
This is the total number of people who are employed in an area. (Anyone who has a job, or who is able to have a job, is part of the work force).
The work force may ask the following questions:
· Will the new power plant employ more people or less people than the current coal power plants?
· How many jobs will the new power plant(s) create?
· What kinds of jobs will the new power plant(s) create? (Truck drivers, engineers, miners, etc.)
· How much will new employees be paid?
Rocky Mountain Power Company
The “Power Company” owns and maintains the power lines and helps deliver electricity from the power plant to residents and businesses.
Rocky Mountain Power Company ask the following in their concerns:
· How will the new power plant(s) deliver electricity? Will they be using our power lines?
· If they are using our power lines, what is in it for us? What is our compensation for maintaining the power lines? How will we benefit from this venture?
· Will the new power plant(s) produce more energy or less energy than the current coal power plants?
· How will the new power plant(s) affect the jobs at the power company? (Will current Rocky Mountain Power Co. employees still have jobs?)
Governor’s Energy Board
A group of state legislators who have been asked to give political input on the topic of alternative energy.
This group may ask the following questions:
· Will there be enough tax revenue or funds to help pay for the new power plant(s)?
· How much more will each household in Utah be expected to pay in order to fund the new power plant(s)?
· Will the government have to buy existing houses in an area where the plant will be built?
· How many jobs will be gained/lost by the construction of the new power plant(s)?
Businessman / Entrepreneur / Investor:
The businessman / entrepreneur / investor is a person who is one looking to invest his/her money into a plan that looks feasible and profitable; one that benefits the masses. They have a solid understanding of the economy and how money flows through a business, the government and other various pockets throughout society. They look for opportunities and ideas that require little money down and large returns, and are generally interested in job creation.
This group may ask questions such as:
· If you are going to use private funding from investors – why should I invest in your energy project/plan?
· How much will a facility cost?
· How much energy will your energy produce?
· How much will this cost to produce the energy / kWh?
· How will you recoup the costs of production?
· How much will you charge the customers per kWh?
· How can you minimize production costs to make it profitable - so that we can fund maintenance etc?
Taxpayer / Homeowner:
Homeowners are responsible for paying to heat the air in their homes and the water that they use. Currently, coal and fossil fuels provide low cost heating for the state of Utah. Many home owners may be struggling financially, some are on fixed incomes, while others may have enough income to handle any increases.
A homeowner/taxpayer may ask the following in their concerns:
· Will the proposed energy plan cost more than what I am currently paying?
· If you are using tax revenue from the public funds - how much will my taxes go up?
· If the Power Plant is built in my neighborhood will that decrease the value of my home?
· Are there going to be waste products produced that will be too dangerous to have near my family and neighborhood?
Environmentalist:
The environmentalist is concerned about the natural habitats of plants and animals, and in maintaining a healthy environment.
An environmentalist may ask the following questions:
· Where will the new power plant (or plants) be built? What plants and animals live in the area, and will they be forced to find new homes?
· What are the waste products that are produced by the new power plant?
· Where will the waste products be stored?
· Will structures be built that will interrupt the migration of fish, birds, or other animals?
Outdoor Enthusiast
Many people enjoy the outdoors—hikers, cyclists, fishermen, campers, boaters, Scouting groups, families, and skiers are just a few of the kinds of people who enjoy spending their time away from big cities.
The Outdoor Enthusiast may ask:
· How will hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping grounds be affected by the building of a new power plant? (Will dams be created that will change the fish population? Will the migration of elk be affected? etc)
· What waste products will be produced by the new power plant(s)?
· How will the waste products of the new power plant(s) affect areas where people camp, fish, hike, bike, or visit?
· What type of land will the new power plant(s) be built upon (private land, public land)?
Land Owner / Bureau of Land Management / Forest Service
Land owners may be farmers or simply owners of land. The Bureau of Land Management is a Federal Government agency under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that oversees the vast stretches of Federal public lands. The U.S. Forest Service maintains forests for future generations. Both the BLM and Forest Service are interested in energy production for the whole U.S. with the minimum impact on the environment. They do NOT run any facilities, nor invest in the facilities, but they do collect revenues for other functions.
The private land owner may ask:
· Why should I give up my land for your project?
· What’s in this for me - how do you plan on compensating me for the use of my land?
· How will this affect the value of my land?
· How will this affect the ability to run my farm?
· How will this impact my crops, farm or family?
The BLM & the Forest Service may ask:
· How will the habitats be minimally affected?
· How will the American People benefit from this venture?
· How much will we expect to make from this venture so that we can maintain the public lands.
Work Force
This is the total number of people who are employed in an area. (Anyone who has a job, or who is able to have a job, is part of the work force).
The work force may ask the following questions:
· Will the new power plant employ more people or less people than the current coal power plants?
· How many jobs will the new power plant(s) create?
· What kinds of jobs will the new power plant(s) create? (Truck drivers, engineers, miners, etc.)
· How much will new employees be paid?
Rocky Mountain Power Company
The “Power Company” owns and maintains the power lines and helps deliver electricity from the power plant to residents and businesses.
Rocky Mountain Power Company ask the following in their concerns:
· How will the new power plant(s) deliver electricity? Will they be using our power lines?
· If they are using our power lines, what is in it for us? What is our compensation for maintaining the power lines? How will we benefit from this venture?
· Will the new power plant(s) produce more energy or less energy than the current coal power plants?
· How will the new power plant(s) affect the jobs at the power company? (Will current Rocky Mountain Power Co. employees still have jobs?)
Governor’s Energy Board
A group of state legislators who have been asked to give political input on the topic of alternative energy.
This group may ask the following questions:
· Will there be enough tax revenue or funds to help pay for the new power plant(s)?
· How much more will each household in Utah be expected to pay in order to fund the new power plant(s)?
· Will the government have to buy existing houses in an area where the plant will be built?
· How many jobs will be gained/lost by the construction of the new power plant(s)?
Evaluation
Your group evaluation will be based on the following criteria in your proposed energy plan: Research, Energy Plan & Presentation.
Please see the rubrics below for more details.
Please see the rubrics below for more details.
There is one last component to your grade and that is your groups evaluation of each other. Assume that your group has been given $100 for your presentation - how would you personally like to see it divided up?
Here is a sample gradesheet of a group eval.
Here is a sample gradesheet of a group eval.
Conclusion
Energy development is a controversial topic with ties to a healthy economy and environment. It is our hope that upon completion of this project you will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the ethical considerations that engineers, government officials and citizens of any state consider before making an informed decision.