Behind the Stories
Eastern Idaho Trying to be Powered by Nature
By Bruce ReichertMay 2, 2008
Wading into the energy debate is a scary
proposition. It’s soooo confusing.
But there are some things we know. It’s
better for a nation to be energy independent than to be beholden to others. And,
There’s another thing I have learned in the
past few weeks.
Take wind power, for example.
Drive twenty minutes south of
I really thought I’d find them noisy and a distasteful blight on the environment. Instead, my cameraman Norm Nelson and I found them compelling and fascinating. We felt like we were looking at the future of energy in the West. Supposedly, there are plans to plant many more turbines in that area. I say Hurray!
Geothermal energy is also a big alternative
energy source. But to see the plant, you have to drive about 50 miles off the
interstate, into the
In the 1980’s the U.S. Department of Energy located 300 degree water under ground--more than a mile under ground. At that temperature, geothermal energy becomes a viable operation.
The 300 degree water flows through
pipes, from the source to the site, where it heats isopentane, turning it from
liquid to gas. Scientists discovered that isopentane, which is similar to butane
in cigarette lighters, flashes to a gas at much lower temperatures than does
water.
"We're able to superheat that gas and run it through a turbine at much lower temperatures than you would with steam, and so then we run the turbine, it drives the generator, that produces electricity," says Chris Harriman, plant manager for U.S. Geothermal.
If handled properly, this source of green energy could eventually generate forty, maybe even 100 megawatts of steady power, the kind engineers call base load power. That's power available 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.
In our program “Powered by Nature,” we
look at geothermal, as well as wind and solar. Unfortunately, solar energy is
only now becoming commercially viable in
But as Paul Kjellander,
Kjellander says, “regardless of what generation resource you want to bring to market, you have to have the transmission capacity to move it.”
Right now that does seem to be the
main drawback with alternative energy sources in
25th Anniversary Show a Hit With Viewers
By Bruce ReichertMarch 17, 2008
The show aired. The phones rang, and the balloons popped. Another Pledge Drive has ended. OUTDOOR IDAHO's contribution this year was a 90 minute program, celebrating 25 years of service to the citizens of Idaho. It was a show that really seemed to connect with viewers.
"A great show. I love you guys. You make Idaho come alive," emailed John Freemuth.
Chris Harris wrote us: "I love Outdoor Idaho. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"What a great show! AND y'all obviously had fun putting it together," emailed Diane Ronayne. "Thanks for going through everything you had to go through to make that show happen. It's truly valuable in so many ways, and the documentary footage of both people and places will become even more valuable over time. P.S. The hat piece was priceless!"
"I don't know the composers or the artists that sing these songs on Outdoor Idaho," wrote Jim Weaver, "but they are the most beautiful songs I've heard. And, I dearly love Outdoor Idaho! It gets better every year."
Jim Weatherby wrote, "Dana and I really enjoyed your Outdoor Idaho special. What a rich and rewarding career doing those extraordinary shows. Congratulations and best wishes for the next 25!"
"When I was watching your show," wrote Curt Henson, "I started thinking, when do I feel the most joy and happiness in my life? It's when I'm in the great Idaho Outdoors! I would like to find out how to become a part of Outdoor Idaho in any capacity."
John Bertram wrote, "Idaho thanks you for 25 years of discovery and adventure. Thanks for giving Idahoans a lifetime of places to seek out and hopefully provide stewardship."
"Enjoyed it very much!! especially the scene with the nibbling horse!!!" emailed Beth Pederson, of the musical duo Beth & Cinde.
Ann Couch emailed, "This is SUCH a BEAUTIFULLY done program - you are the best! Have watched the 25th anniversary show twice."
Marty Peterson sent this note: "So Barb and I had settled in to watch the 25 years special on our new 42" HDTV and when you came on the screen, I said "You know, Swisher hates Bruce's hats" before anything was mentioned about your hats. And sometime later the Swisher video appears. Funniest moment of the week at our place."
And one more.
Musician Curtis Stigers, who wrote a song for our 25th show, sent us this note. "We were glued to every frame, every moment of the show. It was funny, charming, interesting, entertaining, and, most of all, emotionally moving. I must cop to having been moved to tears at least 5 times and choked up quite a few more. The editing, the new interviews and commentaries, the blasts from the past: all wonderful. My favorites: your hats and Jeff Tucker as a bright-eyed teenager.
"What a terrific show. I couldn't be more proud to be part of it. Thank you so much for asking me to contribute my music. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the anniversary of a show that is such an important part of Idaho. Vive le Outdoor Idaho! Here's to 25 more years! I hope you'll include me in the 50th anniversary."