To the editor: The Nov. 7 Lawrence Journal-World editorial,
regarding the new Bowersock hydropower plant in Lawrence, asks
if it is reasonable, should drought conditions persist, for the
Bowersock plant to release “900 million gallons of water
ultimately” from the Kansas River system upon which people
depend, to drive the turbines to produce clean, renewable
energy, when the same electricity “could be generated easily by
coal-fired or nuclear plants.” From the Union of Concerned
Scientists website: “A typical 500-megawatt coal-fired power
plant draws about 2.2 billion gallons of water each year from
nearby water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, or oceans, to create
steam for turning its turbines. This is enough water to support
a city of approximately 250,000 people.” From an Aug. 27, 2012,
Journal-World article: “Wolf Creek (Nuclear Power Plant)
officials said the dwindling water levels at nearby John Redmond
Reservoir … could make it difficult for the plant to operate if
the drought continues for many months.