by Jessica Lewis, Garrison Forest School
Investigate alternative methods of generating electricity such as solar, wind, and geothermal. Develop a 5 minute presentation to be delivered before the Maryland State Assembly (the class) to lobby for money to be allocated to fund these alternate energy sources.
Introduction
Most of the electrical power used in the United States comes from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal. Coal is a non-renewable resource. Once we mine and burn it all, there will not be any left. Power plants that burn coal put enormous amounts of pollutants in the air that contribute to acid rain and global warming. However, coal is cheap, and using it allows electric supply companies to keep the cost of electricity down. Many people believe that we need to find alternative, renewable, clean sources of fuel to create the electricity on which we rely.
You learned how a coal
power plant works in class. Now it is your turn to research
a different kind of power plant. See what you think. Are
the alternatives worth the money?