Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus (GLEW) Initiative

Overview

Phase I of the Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus (GLEW) Initiative developed new metrics to measure aquatic resource impacts from water used for power generation and conducted analyses to inform potential changes in environmental impacts from different energy futures. GLEW also examined policies that govern electric energy markets, utilities, and power plant siting, to identify opportunities for better integrating environmental resource impacts into future energy policy and regulatory efforts. With support from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, this 21-month effort was led by the Great Lakes Commission under guidance of a diverse Project Advisory Team. Principal project partners included: Cornell University, Sandia National Laboratories, the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Products from the GLEW project can be found below.

Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus:
Final Results Webinar – April 12, 2012

• Examining Future Energy Alternatives and Potential Water Resource Impacts in the Great Lakes Basin (PDF)
   
• Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus Interactive Mapping Tool

News Release

• New study evaluates impacts of power plants on Great Lakes water resources
  November 1, 2011

GLEW Phase I Synthesis Report

• Integrating Energy and Water Resources Decision Making in the Great Lakes Basin: An Examination of Future Power Generation Scenarios and Water Resource Impacts
  Great Lakes Commission, October 2011

Maps

The following maps display hydrologically sensitive HUC-8 watersheds within the Great Lakes basin.

• Low-Flow Vulnerability
• Coldwater Resource Threat
• Water Quality Threat
• Groundwater Withdrawal Stress
• Great Lakes HUC-8 watersheds with multiple vulnerabilities

** Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus Interactive Mapping Tool

Background Documents

• Energy and Water in the Great Lakes (V. Tidwell and B. Moreland, Sandia National Laboratories)
• Environmental Rules to Classify Basins for Sensitivity from Future Energy Development (M. Bain, Cornell University)
• The Confluence of Power and Water: How Regulation of the Electric Power Grid Affects Water and Other Natural Resources (J. Moore, Environmental Law and Policy Center)
• Great Lakes Energy Facility Siting (N. Schroeck, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center)

Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus Briefing/Webinar – September 7-8, 2011, Racine, WI

Briefing Presentations:

• Measuring Watershed Vulnerabilities and Vulnerable Watersheds, Cassie Bradley, Great Lakes Commission
• Great Lakes Basin Future Power Generation Scenarios, Vince Tidwell, Sandia National Laboratories
• Power Facility Siting and Water Resources, Nick Schroeck, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center
• Electric Power Planning, Regulations and Water Resources, John Moore, Environmental Law and Policy Center
• Briefing Wrap-up, Victoria Pebbles, Great Lakes Commission