Solar
The Alabama Rivers Alliance supports the transition of energy systems away from fossil fuels and towards renewable and restorative forms of energy generation.
All energy generation sources have impacts, positive or negative, on water resources and the people and biodiversity that depend on Alabama’s rivers and streams. Today, approximately 80% of the water withdrawn from Alabama’s rivers is used to cool thermo-electric power plants (coal, gas, and nuclear) that dominate Alabama’s current electricity generation mix.
Since Alabama does not have a comprehensive water use and allocation policy, there is no regulatory limitation on the quantity of water these thirsty energy sources can consume or any framework in place to consider the water impacts of energy sources in future energy planning.
Click the image below to read ARA’s position paper, “Protecting Alabama’s Waters During the Energy Transition”
Click the image below to read SELC’s “Solar Siting in the South: Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Impacts to Drive Smart, Sustainable Solar Development”
OTHER RESOURCES
Click here to learn more about Alabama A&M’s solar electric initiative.
Click here to learn more about Ireland Farms.
Click here to learn more about Darnell Dugger and his sheep farm.
Click here to read The Nature Conservancy’s Clean Energy Compass, the first-stop tool for clean energy planning. Their interactive map helps decision-makers identify potential conservation and community considerations early in the clean energy planning process.
Click here to learn more about Energy Alabama.
Watch the NEW Southern Exposure Film directed by Callie Mejia