Utah's Power Pivot | A Limited Digital Series
Utah has a long history of fossil fuel use and extraction that pre-dates statehood itself. Now, with concerns about climate change pushing a transition to more renewable energy sources, Utah is at the forefront of energy innovation. Join Raeann Christensen in exploring the feasibility of new geothermal, nuclear, solar, and battery storage technologies in Utah.
episode five
History of Coal in Utah
Learn how coal played a vital role in shaping the Utah we know today. The coal mining industry has been the backbone of rural parts of Utah for over a century. From extraction to refining, Utahns who worked with coal built thriving communities that are now facing a shift in demand to more renewable resources. From new energy innovations to “disassembly lines” to create product from coal waste, how are these rural communities shifting after this power pivot?
episode four
Geothermal Energy in Utah
Beaver County has some of the most accessible geothermal resources in the world. Some of the powerlines over your head have roots deep in the earth, where geothermal energy is harnessed to create electricity. Beaver County’s FORGE Lab is paving the way for new energy uses, working to keep geothermal generator costs down and return on investments high.
episode three
TerraPower Nuclear Technology in Wyoming
Could cutting-edge nuclear technology push this rural community into the future? Kemmerer, Wyoming has depended on a coal-fired power plant for electricity and employment for over 60 years. Now that the plant is scheduled to close in 2025, Kemmerer’s residents are looking to a new nuclear energy reactor to replace it. Could pulling the plug on coal power mean boosting the economy and reliable jobs for generations to come?
episode two
Calvary Baptist Church Green Energy Upgrades
Calvary Baptist Church is leading the way on sustainability, installing solar panels and upgrading their lighting to more energy efficient LEDs. Not only has this saved them on their electricity bill, but also slashes their carbon emissions. Now, they’re bringing their congregation members along for the ride, helping constituents find rebates and incentives to help upgrade their homes.
episode one
Solar in Carbon & Emery Counties
As demand for more renewable energy production grows, some rural communities are adapting with a shift from coal to solar power. High elevation and 340 sunny days a year make Carbon County the perfect place to harvest the sun’s rays, paired with new battery technology being introduced in Emery County. Can solar energy provide the same stability as fossil fuels, and keep jobs for the community?
