Energy in the U.S. and California Introduction to GIS Vicky Hsu Fall 2012 Midterm

Policy Questions How does the energy mix differ in the United States vs. California? What role do California state policies have in energy generation? What are the health and environmental implications? Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

Types of Energy Sources Non-Renewable Power Plants ▫Coal ▫Oil ▫Natural Gas Renewable Power Plants ▫Hydroelectric ▫Solar ▫Wind ▫Nuclear ▫Geothermal Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

Coal Oil/Natural Gas Non-Renewable Energy Sources -Nationwide Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

Hydroelectric Nuclear Solar Wind Geothermal Renewable Energy Sources -Nationwide Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

CA State Policies California is more progressive than rest of the country ▫2007  SB 1368 prevents utilities from signing long-term contracts with or investing in dirty coal plants ▫2011  AB 32 mandates 1/3 electrical power from renewables by 2020 Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

California Power Plants Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012 Power Plants in California Summary Table Total # of PlantsTotal Capacity (MW) Coal8 439 Oil Gas223 40,432 Hydroelectric240 13,312 Solar Wind72 2,110 Nuclear2 4,554 Geothermal20 2,490 Total588 64,175

Sources and Sinks in California Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012 Electricity Consumption Total: 272,645 GWh Total Power Plant Capacities: 64,175 MW These plants generated about 200,000 GWh. Assumption: Plants are running at 30-40% capacity full time. < MW GWh Terminology Watt: unit of power, energy per time Watt-hour: unit of energy

Where is California getting its electricity? “In 2011, California produced 70% of the electricity it uses; the rest was imported from the Pacific Northwest (10%) and the U.S. Southwest (20%). Natural gas is the main source for electricity generation at 45% of the total in-state electric generation system power.” Source: CA Energy Almanac Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012

Air Quality Effects Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012 Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller = PM2.5 PM hr Standard (2006) = 35 micrograms/cubic meter averaged over 24-hr Is the EPA PM hr Standard achieved in each county? Do the counties near National Parks achieve the EPA PM2.5 Standard?

List of Skills Used 1.KML to Layer 2.Join 3.Clip 4.Graduated symbols 5.Aggregate attribute field 6.Merge 7.Inset Map Sources: EPA website CA Energy Commission website Thanks! Any questions? Vicky Hsu - Fall 2012