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Energy sources are used as fuels. Fuel is burned in machinery to create motion (such as in a car) or heat (such as in a home heating system). When fuels are used for producing electricity, heat or motion causes a generator to rotate, creating electricity for everyday use in homes and businesses.

Our energy choices have direct implications for our health, our environment, and our climate-and right now we are dangerously dependent on coal and other fossil fuels for most of our electricity needs. Power generation is a leading cause of air pollution and the single largest source of U.S. global warming emissions.

Statistics on energy sources in PA

There are many renewable energy sources out there right now, continuing to develop in their technology and production. All of these resources have very high capital cost inputs that are hard to compete with cheap natural gas. However, these new resources are abundant, some even limitless, and unlike natural gas, fuels and oil, they will be around for a long time.

Careers in various alternative energy sources are examined in detail in English and Spanish.

Wind Pros and Cons, Myths and Misconceptions Myths and Misconceptions Myths about birds: Turbines kill: Today, turbines are built larger and more efficiently, and as a consequence, they rotate much more slowly than earlier versions (see them spin! Link to video). Even Audubon supports the development and use of wind power.

Alternative energy career postings and articles.

The U.S. Department of Labor details careers in alternative energy, including energy overview, career descriptions, definitions, and what "green" means

Variety of specific alternative forms of energy discussed including listing of careers associated with each source. Good source to find careers in field, not much info on actual career, though.

Waymart Wind Energy Center is the largest wind generation facility in Pennsylvania. Information on careers and job prospective.

This site list the sites and information on the active wind farms in the state of Pennsylvania.

When comparing LECs for alternative systems, it is very important to define the boundaries of the 'system' and the costs that are included in it. For example, should transmissions lines and distribution systems be included in the cost? Typically only the costs of connecting the generating source into the transmission system is included as a cost of the generator.

College majors and costs are reviewed on this site. May be used to gather information about specific alternative energy career preparation.

Information about the wind farm in Somerset, PA. This wind farm consists of 6 wind turbines.

While size and other aspects help decide the costs of putting up a wind turbine, general ideas apply to understand the cost.

While nuclear power plants were being thought of and used, the costs of constructing one became way too much. This has led to many abandoned sites.