My main concern with power plants and the environment has been emissions and industrial waste. I hadn't thought of water temperature and marine life only polluted water and marine life.
An article about the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant that appeared in the WSJ this week suggested another problem with power plants. (nuclear and coal fired)
The problem is the use of water from natural sources, i.e. bodies of water near the plants and the return of that water to the natural source at a temperature about ten degrees warmer than it had been. Not a big deal if we are talking a gallon or two, but according to the article by R. Smith, the Oyster Creek plant uses a BILLION gallons a day. This change in water temperature impacts the marine life and can lead to algae blooms and oxygen loss.
It seems that the only energy sources that do not cause this level of harm are wind and solar. You can learn more at this website.
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