ENERGY PROJECT

If the state of Georgia were to build several new power plants, what type of energy should they use and why?
You should consider the sustainability of the energy types you choose. You also must construct a sustainability
plan for continued use of your chosen energy types.

Georgia is considering the following energy sources: biomass (municipal solid waste), biomass (wood
residue/waste), coal, geothermal, hydroelectric, natural gas, nuclear, oil, solar, and wind. Choose two types of
energy you believe will be most ideal for long-term use in Georgia and explain your reasoning. Support your
choice with climate and ecological data and other information from sources you come across during your
research. For the purposes of this project, the budget of the power plant projects is of no concern, so do not
take costs into account. For each energy source, give details on the following:
a) where it comes from (for instance, coal is mined)
b) If it is renewable or nonrenewable
c) The current consumption rate of the energy source in Georgia
d) how it works (for instance, light energy is turned into electrical energy)
e) its potential effects on abiotic factors in Georgia
f) its potential effects on biotic factors in Georgia
g) at least 3 benefits

After identifying and analyzing the previous information, construct an argument using C-E-R format giving
evidence for why the sources you chose would be ideal for use in Georgia. You will need to conduct some
research for this, and a works cited page will be required.

Finally, you will use the information you collected to design an overall sustainable energy plan for Georgia.
Think about how Georgia can continue to meet our energy demands while reducing our impact to the
environment. Some questions to consider for your plan . . .
● What resources should we use?
● How could we reduce the environmental impact of those chosen resources?
● Are they affordable?
● Will we be able to obtain enough energy from them to meet the growing needs of our state?
Steps or goals that should be implemented or met in order to successfully achieve long-term use of these
energy sources should be included in your plan along with the current energy demands and the sustainability
potential (meaning are we going to be able to use these resources for a long time without doing too much
damage to our environment) of your chosen energy sources for Georgia.

Below are some possible sources of information.

https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=GA
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/GA_Energy%20Sector%20Risk%20Profile.pdf
https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/reports/2009/state_briefs/pdf/GA.pdf
https://powersuite.aee.net/portal/states/GA/energy_data
https://www.georgia.org/sites/default/files/wp-uploads/2013/09/Energy-Industry-in-Georgia.pdf
 Energy Project Rubric
Criteria Distinguished Proficient Developing Beginning
SEV3a Basic Info: ● All 4 pieces of basic ● 3 pieces of basic ● 2 pieces of basic ● Only 1 piece of basic
1. Origin information are given. information are information are given. information is given. (7
15 points 2. Type (17 pts) given. (15 pts) (11 pts) pts)
3. Consumption
rate
4. How it works

___/15
SEV3b Potential ● At least 3 potential ● At least 2 potential ● At least 1 potential ● 1 potential effect is listed
Effects/Abiotic effects are listed and effects are listed and effect is listed and but not described. (5 pts)
50 pts Factors described. (11 pts) described. (10 pts) described. (8 pts)

___/10
Potential ● At least 3 potential ● At least 2 potential ● At least 1 potential ● 1 potential effect is listed
Effects/Biotic effects are listed and effects are listed and effect is listed and but not described. (5 pts)
Factors described. (11 pts) described. (10 pts) described. (8 pts)

___/10
Benefits ● At least 3 benefits are ● At least 2 benefits ● At least 1 benefit is ● 1 benefit is stated but not
stated and described are stated and stated and described described. (5 pts)
___/15 clearly (11 pts) described clearly (10 clearly. (8 pts)
pts)
Construct an ● Claim is stated clearly. ● Claim is stated ● Claim is stated with ● Claim is confusing. Few
Argument Each section shows clearly. Most some clarity. Some sections show planning &
planning & research sections show sections show research were done.
___/15 were done. planning & research planning & research ● Evidence and reasoning
● Evidence clearly were done. were done. do not clearly support
supports claim ● Evidence mostly ● Evidence provides claim. (7 pts)
● Reasoning is clear. supports claim and some support for
(17 pts) reasoning is clear. claim. Reasoning is
(15 pts) confusing. (11 pts)
SEV3c Sustainability ● Description of ● Description is given. ● Description is ● Sustainability impact is
SEV3d Potential sustainability potential ● Reasons are stated somewhat clear. stated but not described.
is thorough. clearly. ● At least 1 reason is ● Reason for choosing
55 ___/10 ● Reasons are stated ● Specifics of the stated. impact is missing.
pts clearly. location are ● A few specifics of ● Specifics of location are
● Thorough specifics of considered in stated location are not considered. (5 pts)
location are potential . (10 pts) considered. (8 pts)
considered (Georgia).
(11 pts)
Energy Demands● Energy demands for ● Energy demands are ● Energy demands are
Georgia are clearly clearly identified. identified but not clearly.
___/10 identified and ● Little explanation is No explanation is given.
explained. (11 pts) given. (8 pts) (5 pts.)
Sustainable ● Steps to implement ● Steps to implement ● At least 2 steps are ● More than one step is not
Energy Plan plan are well-defined, are listed and listed and may or may given. Implementation
in logical order, & somewhat easy to not be easy to follow. plan is confusing. (10 pts)
___/25 easy to follow. (27 follow. (25 pts) (15 pts)
pts)
Sources & ● At least 3 sources are ● 1 to 2 sources are ● No sources are listed (5
Works Cited listed & are credible listed & are credible pts)
sources. (11 pts) sources. (7 pts)
___/10
Total ___/120