Today's Energy Issues -Mrs. DiSalvo's 6th Grade Science

Today's Energy Issues -Mrs. DiSalvo's 6th Grade Science
An Internet Hotlist on Today's Energy Issues

created by Susan DiSalvo
Blacksburg Middle School

Introduction | Approval of new nuclear plants | Building a Clean-Coal plant in Wise County | Building wind turbine farms in Highland County and Roanoke County | Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

Introduction
Energy production is in the news almost every day, whether it is the lack of energy, cost of energy, or side effects of the fuels used to produce the energy we need. As future decision makers you need to look at issues from both sides. Each of you have been assigned a position - pro (in favor of) or con (opposed to)- for energy issue that are affecting us today. You will research your position and develop your 'talking points' in an effort to persuade others to your point of view. Remember that many of the sites linked here have a bias - in other words - they have a specific point of view. Make sure when you read or research that you are aware of the bias of the writer.

The Internet Resources

Approval of new nuclear plants

Advantages of Nuclear Energy - A site focused on the advantages of nuclear energy as a fuel.
How Stuff Works 'Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power' - Information site.
More Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power -
Nuclear Power: Not the energy of the future - a site opposed to increasing the use of nuclear power.
Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power - Answers geared toward kids.
The Case For and Against Nuclear Power - Article from the Wall Street Journal

Building a Clean-Coal plant in Wise County

Clean Coal? - Chesapeake Climate Action Network - a group opposed to coal as a fuel.
Coalition Opposes Power Station - Article about a coalition of environmental groups opposing the Wise County plant.
Energy Justice Fact Sheet - Site opposed to clean coal plants.
Fossil Energy: DOE's Clean Coal Technology Program - US Department of Energy Information - neutral.
How Stuff Works 'What is Clean Coal' - Information about what it means for a plant to be called 'clean coal'.
Southern Environmental Law center - News release from group opposed to Wise County plant
Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center - A site by the parent company promoting clean coal.

Building wind turbine farms in Highland County and Roanoke County

HealthLink Wind Pros and Cons - Fairly well balanced site.
Opposing Winds - A discussion about the proposal to build a wind farm in Roanoke County.
Orion Magazine 'Whither Wind' - A fairly even balanced discussion of wind energy.
The pros and cons of wind power are making news - Article from the Christian Science Monitor
Wind Energy in Virginia - A site in favor of wind farming.
Wind Farm Construction Resumes in Highland County - Report in Roanoke Times.
Wind Farm gets OK from SCC - Article from the Roanoke Times.
Wind Farms Draw Mixed Response in Applachia - Transcript of an NPR report on wind farming.
Wind Turbine Information - A site opposed to building a wind turbine farm in Highland County Virginia.
Wind Watch - A site promoting industrial uses of wind power.

Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

ANWR Oil Drilling (Pros and Cons, Arguments For and Against) - A great site that is neither for or against oil exploration.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Defenders of Wildlife - A website opposed to oil exploration in ANWR
Artic Power - A website favoring oil exploration in ANWR.
Audubon Magazine: The Last Great Wilderness - Site opposed to drilling in ANWR.
Critical Thinking on Energy - Town Hall - a site favoring oil exploration.
Fox News: Myths About Drilling in ANWR - This site promotes drilling in ANWR.
Time Magazine 'Some Shaky Figures on ANWR' - Article from a newsmagazine.

Content by Susan DiSalvo, sdisalvo@mcps.org
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listenergyisd.html
Last revised Wed Feb 22 13:34:45 US/Pacific 2012