Renewables
One of the oldest forms of this type of renewables, one example includes a water wheel for grinding grain
What is Hydroelectric!
These are the full names of the lighting abbreviations LED and CFL
What is a light emitting diode and a compact fluorescent lamp.
This type of charge on an electric utility bill is from the highest period of electric usage in the month.
Demand charge. For most utilities this is the highest 15-minute interval of electric use on the month. For industrial rate structures this can be anywhere from 1/3-2/3+ of the bill by cost
The presence (or lack) of this element is what determines if a microbe digestion is aerobic or anaerobic.
What is oxygen. Aerobic digestion is faster, less smelly & common in water treatment facilities. Anaerobic is more common in landfills and produces methane (biogas)
This president proposed the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Who is Richard Nixon
As of 2023, this source of renewable energy makes up the largest share of all renewables generated in the U.S.
What is Wind!
This measurement used in lighting represents one lumen of lighting output illuminating one square foot of surface. Its metric counterpart would be a lux - one lumen over a square meter
What is a foot-candle
This three-word term is the common name for a type of service, typically for larger commercial and industrial customers, that charges different demand rates depending on when they are hit.
Time of Use (TOU) or Time of Day (TOD). Picture 3.2
This is the alternative term for the "thermal treatment" of landfill diversion. Approximately 16% of waste in the U.S. is "treated" this way annually
What is incineration
This partial nuclear meltdown occurred on the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1979 - releasing radioactive gases & iodine into the environment. The incident heightened anti-nuclear safety concerns that still impact the way we think about the energy today.
What is the Three Mile Island Incident
This state is the uncontested leader in US wind power with turbines generating ~120 GWh of electricity in 2023, more than the next three highest generating states combined.
What is Texas (yeehaw). Next three are Iowa, Oklahoma & Kansas
This is a common rating to show on a motor's nameplate, representing the maximum current an electrical motor is designed to draw.
What is Full Load Amps (FLA)
A common penalty on industrial electric accounts when low, this term is the ratio of true power to apparent power in an electrical system, ranging from 0 to 1.
What is power factor. The more real power and less reactive (lost) power in a system, the closer to 1 this will be. Caused by inductive loads like motors.
In a 2023 assessment, this state had the highest rate of recycling for common packaging materials across residential and commercial (cardboard, bottles, paper, fibers and flexible plastics, etc.)
What is Maine - 65% recycled material! West Virginia is the lowest at 2%
Published by Rachel Carson in 1962, this book documented the environmental harm caused by the indiscriminate use of DDT
What is Silent Spring
This potent hydrocarbon can be captured from decaying sanitary landfills.
What is methane. This RNG after treatment can be used alongside gas captured from food waste, livestock and municipal solid waste
This measurement ( __ / __ ) is used to measure the heat energy of an arc flash, and is used to rate PPEs ability to withstand said energy
What is calories per square centimenter (cal/cm^2)
On some utility bills, the ____ clause is typically a percentage of the maximum demand of the previous rolling twelve months. In months when the peak demand is lower than that value, the ____ amount will be used for billing instead
What is a ratchet clause. Roper Bill
When precipitation falls on an open landfill, water percolates through the garbage and becomes contaminated, becoming this. If this is not contained properly it can contaminate groundwater.
What is Leachate
Formed in 1892, this 'club' was one of the first environmental organization with chapters now in all U.S. states and territories. It's stated mission starts "To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of earth..."
What is The Sierra Club. Alongside environmental goals, they are also known for their outdoor recreation activities like mountaineering and rock climbing.
PICTURE
This type of solar power utilizes large arrays of mirrors that concentrate the sun's energy into a receiver creating high thermal energy. Can be used to generate electricity, water desalination, oil recovery or food processing
What is concentrated solar thermal (CST) or concentrated solar power (CSP). Can be used to generate electricity, water desalination, oil recovery or food processing
An important trait of refrigerants- this is the term for the amount of energy required to change a substance from liquid to gas.
What is the latent heat of vaporization
This is a state-level government agency that regulates the rates and services of public utilities like electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications. Some of these utilities are not regulated in some states.
What is a Public Service Commission (PSC)
Started in 1988, this identification standard (three words) appears on plastic products that identify the plastic resin it was made with.
What is Resin Identification Codes (RIC) picture
This is the most visited National Park in the country, by a long shot - about as much as the next three parks combined
What is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with 13.3 million visitors in 2023. Followed by the Grand Canyon (4.7M), Zion (4.6M) and Yellowstone (4.5M)