Archive for September, 2012

Don’t Forgot About Water When Discussing Power Production

Via CleanBreak, an article on the oft forgotten watergy nexus: It’s often forgotten when talking about energy production that environmental impacts stretch far beyond air pollution and emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Less discussed, particularly in the context of electricity generation, is the dependence and impact on fresh water resources that are vital to other […]

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Energy-Water Collisions Hit Washington’s Radar

Via The Union of Concerned Scientists, a report that Washington D.C. may be paying renewed attention to watergy issues: This summer’s power plant water troubles have folks in Washington looking for answers on energy-water issues. Thank goodness. Over the past few months, the risks that come along with power plants’ water dependencies have been clearer […]

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Can Using Water Wisely Trump Better Lighting?

Via the Environmental Research Web, an interesting analysis of the watergy nexus: Almost 13% of US energy (12.3 quadrillion BTU) goes towards collecting and preparing water for its intended end use. That makes water one of the largest energy consumers in the nation, according to Kelly Twomey Sanders and Michael Webber from the University of Texas […]

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As the U.S. Warms, Power Plants Face New Water Limits

Via Climate Central, a look at the impact that a warming climate may have upon power generation: The power sector is responsible for a large share — about 40 percent — of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., particularly thermoelectric-generating stations, such as coal-fired power plants. And so it is not without a hint of […]

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Water: Key To California’s Energy Goals

Via Maven’s Notebook, an interesting article on a new California report that details the substantial role California’s water sector can play in achieving the state’s ambitious energy goals: By shifting its timing and use of electricity, California’s water sector can help avoid the need to build new power plants, a new white paper, California’s Water-Energy […]

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Power Thirsty: Asian Water Scarcity Risked As Coal-Fired Power Embraced

Via Bloomberg, a report on the impact of coal fired power on Asia’s water supplies: Inner Mongolia’s rivers are feeding China’s coal industry, turning grasslands into desert. In India, thousands of farmers have protested diverting water to coal- fired power plants, some committing suicide. The struggle to control the world’s water is intensifying around energy […]

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About This Blog And Its Author
As the scarcity of water and energy continues to grow, the linkage between these two critical resources will become more defined and even more acute in the months ahead.  This blog is committed to analyzing and referencing articles, reports, and interviews that can help unlock the nascent, complex and expanding linkages between water and energy -- The Watergy Nexus -- and will endeavor to provide a central clearinghouse for insightful articles and comments for all to consider.

Educated at Yale University (Bachelor of Arts - History) and Harvard (Master in Public Policy - International Development), Monty Simus has held a lifelong interest in environmental and conservation issues, primarily as they relate to freshwater scarcity, renewable energy, and national park policy.  Working from a water-scarce base in Las Vegas with his wife and son, he is the founder of Water Politics, an organization dedicated to the identification and analysis of geopolitical water issues arising from the world’s growing and vast water deficits, and is also a co-founder of SmartMarkets, an eco-preneurial venture that applies web 2.0 technology and online social networking innovations to motivate energy & water conservation.  He previously worked for an independent power producer in Central Asia; co-authored an article appearing in the Summer 2010 issue of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal, titled: “The Water Ethic: The Inexorable Birth Of A Certain Alienable Right”; and authored an article appearing in the inaugural issue of Johns Hopkins University's Global Water Magazine in July 2010 titled: “H2Own: The Water Ethic and an Equitable Market for the Exchange of Individual Water Efficiency Credits.”