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PLEASE NOTE:  “Answers” emails resume today.
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1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) What do federal wildlife investigators want to determine before BrightSource Energy begins building a second, larger plant?
b) What does the Audubon Society want authorities to do before granting any more permits for the “power tower” type of solar technology?

3. Compare the number of bird deaths reported by BrightSource with environmental group Center for Biological Diversity.

4. a) Define “clean energy” as used in para. 5.
b) In what ways does clean energy harm wildlife?
c) What potential negative effects might BrightEnergy’s plant have on people? (see para. 9)

5. How have the three companies backing the BrightEnergy plant responded to the federal wildlife investigators’ report?

6. Explain how BrightSource generates electricity.

7. BrightSource’s solar thermal energy systems generate power the same way as traditional power plants – by creating high temperature steam to turn a turbine. However, instead of using fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) or nuclear power to create the steam, BrightSource uses the sun’s energy.
a) If this type of clean energy kills large numbers of birds, but avoids burning fossil fuels, is it worth the cost? Explain your answer.
b) If this type of clean energy could possibly affect the eyesight of pilots flying in and out of Las Vegas and Los Angeles. , but doesn’t hurt birds and avoids burning fossil fuels, is it worth the cost? Explain your answer.

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