An Energy Plan for the United States for the Next Ten Years

Leah Deputy

            The United States is currently exhausting its oil and natural gas energy resources.  The burning of oil releases pollutants into the air that harm the environment.  Reduced visibility, destruction of animal habitats, breathing diseases like asthma, holes in the ozone layer, and global warming are all caused and worsened due to air pollution from the burning of oil and natural gas.  Also, being dependent on foreign oil is risky due to limited supplies and market manipulation.  For these reasons, the United States must research and utilize solar, geothermal, and wind energies as possible energy sources.

            Solar energy is an option for an energy source in the United States .  This energy is captured by photovoltaic cells in solar panels installed on the roofs of buildings.  During daylight hours, the sun’s rays hit the silica in the solar panels.  This causes electrons to be released that are converted into energy.  Money should be put into research for solar energy because it’s a clean energy resource that doesn’t release pollutants into the atmosphere.  Solar energy also is a convenient energy source because it is produced during the day when people need energy the most.  Thirdly, solar energy is cheap.  After purchasing the solar panels, no extra costs are necessary- sunshine has no monetary cost!  The reason that solar energy is currently more expensive than using gas or oil is because there is not a large market for solar energy.  However, there are organizations that work to promote solar energy and help it to become an affordable and accessible power source.  Environment California has organized the Million Solar Roofs Campaign, a bipartisan bill that would put solar panels on one million roofs by 2017.  This campaign would not only make solar panels more affordable and accessible but would make it easier for consumers to sell unused energy back to the grid. 

            Geothermal energy is another alternative energy source.  This form of energy is accessed by tapping into areas with pockets of heat deep inside the Earth.  These heated areas are places that contain hot springs or hot rocks.  To access this heat for energy, water is sent down pipes in the ground and is heated by the hot rocks.  Another method is to utilize the steam produced from the hot springs to generate energy.  Geothermal energy is a very clean energy source because it utilizes heat that the Earth produces naturally.  Secondly, geothermal energy is renewable because heat is constantly being produced in areas inside the Earth.

            Lastly, wind energy is a possible option as an energy source for the United States .  There are areas of land called wind farms that are dedicated to harnessing wind energy via turbines.  When the wind blows, the turbines spin and generate energy.  This is also a clean source of energy because it utilizes the natural force of the wind to generate energy without the harmful output of pollution.  The upfront cost of wind energy is more expensive than burning oil or gas.  However, over a long period of time, wind energy is the cheapest of all forms of energy.

            In conclusion, the U.S. is rapidly exploiting its oil and natural gas energy resources.  Burning oil and gas for energy releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, and our country’s supply of oil is unstable due to our dependency on foreign imports.  For these reasons, the U.S. must research and utilize alternative forms of energy such as solar, geothermal, and wind energies.

AN ENERGY PLAN FOR THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS

Mary Shank

            As a group, we visited Houston Museum of Modern Science.   As much as I loved the interactive exhibits and all the interesting information about oil drilling, I was disappointed at the small section of the museum dedicated to alternative energy sources.  I mean, the dinosaur exhibit was at least four times as big as the “exhibit” on alternatives to oil and the focus of the museum should’ve been on energy sources, whether oil or alternative.  I believe this shows the focus that our world will take for the next ten years- still on oil.  As the economy of the world continues to be driven by simply supply and demand, oil will continue to be the energy source of choice as long as oil is the most economically efficient.

            Oil is the most economically efficient.  Most would undoubtedly agree that oil is simply the most economical; however, that is mainly because oil is the only energy resource the human race uses on a large-scale.  Other alternatives aren’t used on a larger-scale and perhaps if people would use them more, then oil wouldn’t be so dominantly economical.  We simply need to research alternatives more, because we obviously aren’t focusing on alternative sources of energy enough.  We also need to begin to utilize alternative forms of energy, if not we will continue to pollute the environment and not think of ways to fix our dependence on oil.

            Many alternative energy sources exist.  Sources such as tidal energy, solar energy, and wind energy can be a viable energy sources.  I believe that we can truly begin to use these alternative energy sources.  If we do, then not only will our environment benefit from using those energy sources, but as Kush said we will truly be using our energy sources in such a way that our grandchildren will have a similar earth and environment to ours, which is Kush ’s meaning of sustainability.   

The whole world system needs to change in order to implement a progression towards alternative energy sources.  We need to realize that alternative energy sources are the way for the future.  Due to that realization, we need to change our system of economics in such a way to encourage sources other than oil that may not be as economically efficient.  As our world evolves, we need to evolve as well.  We need to begin to use sources other than oil.  Simply because oil has worked so well for this long is not a good enough reason to continue its usage when other sources exist.

Although the main focus of the world’s energy source will probably still be on oil over the next ten years, we need to begin to work on other plans for the future.  As a race, humans need to band together and think of creative ways to fix our “energy crisis.”  Arguing about the problem and trying to be the “right” one never helps any situation and this situation is no different.  If the greediness of the human race can be ignored until we have enough time to think of a way to prevent our race from traveling closer towards extinction, then our energy situation will probably begin to be fixed.   

  An Energy Plan For The U.S. For The Next Ten Years

  Max Weaver

            Most of us use energy every day.  Sometimes the energy is renewable and sometimes it is a fossil fuel that is not renewable.  One major fossil fuel that is used frequently is petroleum.  Petroleum is used for gas in motor vehicles and to fuel many other things.  The U.S. needs to push for renewable and cleaner resources to use.

            Wind energy is free.  Windmill fields are already set up in various places in the southwestern U.S.   Many of these windmills help to power major cities.  However, it is not feasible to place a windmill on every inch of California or any other state to achieve maximum energy capacity for the entire Southwest.  Wind energy is clean but it is not adequate for the ever growing consumptive nation. 

            Solar energy is another option that would be efficient in the future.  Today solar panels are very expensive.  The initial expense discourages people to purchase solar panels for their homes.  Like wind, solar energy is free.  The consumer can sell the extra energy that is collected by the photovoltaic cells back to utility companies.  One could watch their electric meter spin backwards.

            A more extreme but attainable energy resource is hydrogen.  Scientists have been working on developing the hydrogen fuel cell.  As clean and pleasant as it may seem, pure hydrogen is very difficult and expensive to get and store safely.  At this point hydrogen fuel cells are efficient as any other resource.  Hopefully engineers and scientist are able to improve the effectiveness of hydrogen power in the future.

            Right now oil is the most accessible and easiest to use.  It is siphoned right out of the ground, cleaned, and shipped in barrels to petroleum companies all over the world.  Petroleum is not a clean fuel and neither is it renewable.  Pollutant gases disperse into our atmosphere when mixtures combust in motor vehicles.  This is a major contribution to global warming.  The carbon monoxide collects in the earth’s atmosphere and it stays.  This gas tends to trap heat and thus earth’s climate will increase in temperature annually.  In the next ten years it would be delightful to see the U.S. use cleaner and more energy and cost efficient resources.    

An Energy Plan for the United States for the Next 10 Years

By: Monika Burkholder

            According to Chevron, oil is a good source of energy which is relatively cheap, abundant and cleaner than coal, as well as the most economically efficient.  What will happen, however, when we see the effects on our land from using oil?  What will happen when we run out?  Oil may be our best option now, but we need a plan for the future.   The United States needs to implement a plan enforcing the use of solar or wind energy in homes and businesses and hydrogen fuel cell cars.

            Solar energy would be a desirable alternate source to oil.  We can never deplete our resource in the sky; the sun rises every morning without failure.  The technology is even available to harness the energy in photovoltaic cells.  Environment California tells us the major issue with using solar energy is economic efficiency; the technology to equip a house with solar panels is expensive.  California is trying to jumpstart the demand for solar energy by passing a bill, the Million Solar Roofs.  The demand would hopefully lower the price for solar panels.  If the rest of the United States would follow suit, we could drop the price of photovoltaic cells dramatically, making them affordable and practical for homes and offices.

            Wind energy is already used in some states but not enough to be economical.  Texas gives the option to residents to choose between energy from gas or from wind, which is slightly more expensive.  Not all states even give the option of alternative energy, however.  The United States needs to help more states to give wind and solar energy options to their residents that are cheap and economical.

            Hydrogen fuel cell cars could become very economical for the United States .  Chevron stated that the United States would have to rely on imports for oil.  There is not enough oil inside the U.S. to support the country independently.  If the technology in splitting water could be done using solar energy, and the cars could be made economic enough, the amount of oil consumption would be cut down. 

            The United States is presently relying on oil for energy.  Although oil is currently the most economically efficient, no one knows when our abundant resource will run out.  Solar and wind energy, however, is indefinitely available.  If the United States can create a demand for solar panels in order for photovoltaic cells to be cheaper, provide the option of wind energy in all states, and improve the technology in making hydrogen fuel cell cars, the U.S. could cut down our oil consumption rate considerably.

An Energy Plan for the U.S. for the Next Ten Years

Nate Derstine

            The United States is a superpower that’s running full blast on an energy infrastructure that’s primed to fall out from under its feet.  We use fully one quarter of the oil produced in the world, and the majority of the electricity we use is produced by the burning of non-renewable energy sources such as natural gas and coal.  When these resources run out we’ll have to change the way we produce energy to a more renewable source.  The question is not whether or not we will need to change; it’s just a matter of when.  The sooner we begin the switch, the longer our world’s supply of oil will last.  Also, if the switch happens gradually, the entire process of reorganizing the energy infrastructure will be easier.  In the next ten years, the United States needs to lessen its dependence on non-renewable energy sources by investing more time and money in the research and development of renewable energy sources. 

            The current accessibility of oil provides a wonderful short term answer to the United State ’s energy problems, but does nothing to help the pollution of the air or global warming. Despite claims by our Chevron contacts that they keep on finding new sources of oil, there is no question that we are going to run out.  We’re taking something that took millions of years to form and burning it at an unbelievably unsustainable rate.  This sudden release of stored carbon into the atmosphere has been a main producer of the green house gases that have caused global warming.

            Taking from what we learned at the Land Institute in Kansas , the key to making renewable energy work will be taking nature as our model.  We also need to provide incentives for people start buying things like photovoltaic cells, wind powered energy, and hybrid fuel cells.  Once that inspires a higher demand and those products and services become cheaper to the public, the question is where to employ what form of energy.  That’s when we need the common sense to make nature our model and put photovoltaic cells in places like California , wind turbines in the windy areas of the plains, and tidal generators on the coastal areas.  If we follow nature’s plan, everything will become much easier.

            One way we could help this process move along is to support environmentally progressive legislation like the Million Solar Roofs bill.  This bill, written by a bipartisan team of senators from California , proposes to put up million solar panels by 2017.  This will provide enough energy to replace six giant power plants and thus take 26 million tons of air pollution out of the air.  The other effect this will have is to create a demand for the product, therefore lowering its production cost.

              The United States has the technology needed to make the switch to a longer term and more environmentally friendly energy infrastructure.  The sooner we make those changes the better.  By supporting progressive legislation and starting to buying energy from renewable sources these goals can be reached in the next ten years.

An Energy Plan for the United States for the Next Ten Years

Nick Hertzler

    The human race is using unsustainable energy sources at an increasing rate.  In general, these forms of energy, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are polluting and nonrenewable.  If we continue living like this, I believe it may collapse our civilization we have worked so hard to establish.  We need to find a new way to power our energy-dependant lifestyles.

     An excellent plan to reduce and perhaps eliminate use of these unsustainable fossil fuels is to begin the switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.  In this manner, we can harness the power of the sun and earth, instead of burning some material we found in the ground.  Of solar and wind power, solar is somewhat more promising, simply because there is sun everywhere, and solar panels are increasing in efficiency every year.  Solar panels are also extremely durable and much easier to mount on one’s roof than a massive wind turbine.  I believe solar power is the way to go for the future.

    As for fossil fuels, like I said, they are dirty and unsustainable.  In California , coal burning is the main source of energy.  As a result, most of the air in California is unfit to breathe.  Also, California has a large number of factories that produce pollution because of the plastics they make from petroleum.  The factories give off many harmful chemicals, but the burning of the fuels is definitely the major source of pollution.  Cars on the roads and energy plants both give off carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide (toxic), and numerous partially combusted hydrocarbons that make up the harmful black smoke seen when a truck downshifts, and cause smog and acid rain. 

     There are a number of difficulties involved in tearing the earth asunder and hauling out coal or pumping up oil.  There are two ways to get coal up to the surface.  The most popular is strip mining, where hundreds of feet of earth are moved just to get to a twenty-foot-thick vein of coal.  This method scars the earth and is very ugly.  Another way to mine is to dig a mine shaft and have many tunnels that branch off through the vein of coal.  This is more dangerous because of the dangers of flooding, sudden gaseous combustion, and cave-ins.  It does have less effect on the environment, however. 

     Oil has a different way of getting to the surface.  Drillers use special drillbits to sink a massive hole down to reservoirs of oil, then they perforate the sides of the hole where they want oil to come through, and then pump oil up to sell on the massive oil market.  However, a large percentage of oil is trapped in ways that make it very difficult to extract using normal methods.  In Texas , oil is often trapped in porous shale that is very absorbent, but does not give off oil very easily.  Some oil companies have been spending millions to figure out ways to extract the oil, but no practical solutions have been presented.

     So are those millions going to waste?  Yes!  If those same millions were spent on improving existing solar panel technology, we could have increased efficiency by a notable percent, and possibly find ways to reduce the cost of solar panels, the major prohibitive factor in creating a massive network of solar panels.  Chevron should see the error of their ways, because they “…are an energy company, not an oil company.” as their representative said.

     So I suggest we pay more attention to such progressive bills as the Million Solar Homes Bill, and preferably pay more money towards their progress.  Someday, maybe soon, we will run out of fossil fuels, and we will need renewable sources of energy.  If we already have excellent solar panel systems devised and in practice when that day comes, we can make the transition fairly smoothly to solar power.  If not, I fear it may drive us into a dark age for a long while, where our energy-hungry lifestyle is not able to continue.  If that happens, perhaps someday we will be able to pick up where we started technology-wise.  But we could also lose everything and be forced to start over, and the earth would not have enough petroleum to sustain another Industrial Revolution.  So I fear we could become stuck in an archaic lifestyle much later as a result of our unwillingness to accept solar power now.

An Energy Plan for the United States for the Next 10 Years

By Risa Heatwole

            Americans are currently relying on oil for the majority of the energy consumed in the United States .  While oil is relatively cheap to produce for the public, this form of energy can cause harmful affects on the environment.  Over the next 10 years the U.S. should stop relying so heavily on oil. Americans should move towards environmentally friendly renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy.

Solar energy is one energy resource that will never run out, is not harmful for the environment and over time will save the money spent on the panels.  The U.S. should support the increase production of solar panels so as to decrease the price of them.  With the price at a more affordable range more people can buy and use them.  Also the government should set incentives for home owners and construction crews to install solar panels.

            Wind energy also is a renewable resource that is environmentally safe.  The government should help start wind farms as a means of energy.  In the long run the returns of wind energy will be greater then that of the cost to build the farms.  In some places throughout the nation wind energy is an option for household use.  Although the price is higher  for wind energy the long term savings is worth the extra money now.

            Geothermal energy is a third energy resource that the government could help promote instead of the use of oil.  The U.S. should educate the population about alternate options to oil such as geothermal energy.  Although energy is a good source of energy there are some downsides too.  Geothermal energy can only be tapped into in certain areas of the nation.

            Over the next ten years Americans need to transition from relying on oil for their energy to energy resources that are safe for the environment and renewable.  Three of those resources are solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Although some options for renewable energy are currently being offered, The U.S. should continue to give incentives and encourage the use of these resources.

An Energy Plan for the United States for the Next Ten Years

Steven Stauffer

            The United States uses one fourth of all the oil being drawn out of the ground worldwide.  This shows that we are heavily dependent on this non-renewable resource.  With that in mind, we need to consider what we will do as a nation when oil becomes scarce.  While oil does have its economic benefits, we need to look into the future and continue replacing non-renewable resources with renewable ones.

            Economically, oil is still the source of choice for the U.S.   Oil burns with a high amount of energy, and is fairly easily accessed compared to other resources.  Oil is the most efficient, and as of now we don’t have the technology to make non-renewable resources as efficient.  I think we should try as hard as we can to stop depending so heavily on oil, and begin to switch over to renewable resources.

            Jannette Gayer, a Clean Air Advocate with Environment California, located in Los Angeles , says that there are two ways to accomplish this change.  The first is to simply inform the people about our situation.  The other, more effective way, is to pass bills that divert more money towards non-renewable resources.  Through this, people become informed about it anyway through promotions.  That’s why Environment California is presenting a bill to Congress called the “Million Solar Roofs Campaign,” which will take steps towards independent solar power for homes in California .  This is a positive progression that we need to see more of in order to make the conversion to non-renewable resources.

            One of the main reasons that we are still stuck on oil is because of the lack of development of other resources.  The technology of resources such as wind and solar needs to be improved in order for these resources to be as efficient as oil.  Until these other resources are efficient, companies will not be willing to switch from oil.  That is why we need to focus on the development of non-renewable technology.

            Presently, the U.S. is doing alright with resources.  However, we will begin to feel the effects of our reliance on oil in the near future, as gas prices will soar, and 95% of California ’s air is already considered unfit to breathe.  Hopefully, we will be able to make this conversion successfully, and before it is too late.

Pros and Cons Energy Suggestive Plan

Stuart Ferguson

In the next 50 years, I would suggest the U.S. move toward the use of cleaner sources of energy. In the next 75 years, there will be no more using of coal, and other fossil fuels will be used in less quantity. Fossil fuels will represent 60% of the energy used in the U.S., and 40% of these fossil fuels will be cleaner sources, such as oil products. These goals are set for 50 years from now. Big steps will be taken in the next 10 years to make these things possible. Legislation will need to be passed forcing all states to have at least 10% of energy sources be renewable. quasi-government organizations that push for solar energy on millions of roofs in the U.S. will be started and well supported. Large energy companies (such as Chevron) will receive grants from these quasi-government organizations if the energy company is interested in pushing for renewable energy and energy technology studies. Programs will start pushing for a specific number of solar panels on the roofs in a state depending on the population of the state. Incentives will be used in each state to encourage this change.

Solar energy will be the key to the movement of renewable energy sources. The quasi-government organization and their programs will increase the supply needed for solar panels, which will increase the revenues of solar producing companies. These increases in production will help to decrease the price of solar panels. Technology will hopefully increase the productivity of solar panels as more interest is shown in using them. These organizations will also provide awareness classes and lectures that will inform people of the positive effects of renewable energy. Information will also be provided about the negative effects of nonrenewable resources.

The use of either oil or solar is controversial because both resources have positives and negatives. Oil is a better understood resource and is currently more economical than solar energy. Oil is also a clean burning resource that has many functions and products from its crude form. Oil companies are well established and provide a lot of jobs for the citizens in the United States and all over the world. Oil companies are also using some of their resources for studying energy technologies that are less economical but cleaner. Solar energy unfortunately is expensive and not a well honed technology. Solar energy is much cleaner than oil and its use would cut down greatly on pollution of the environment. Solar energy can be used anywhere and the sun is an available resource every day. The use of solar and oil both have attributes as well as drawbacks; this is why I chose to use both forms of energy.

Hopefully, in the next 50 years, renewable sources such as solar energy and clean burning oil products will be the dominant form of energy in the United States . In the next ten years, organizations will be started and big steps will be made to meet the goal set for year 2055. If in the next ten years, problems arise that will slow down the conversion of energy resources, then the goal should be pushed back 10-25 years.

Energy Plan for the United States over the next Ten Years

Caroline Clymer

            Today, the world is absorbing non-renewable resources at an alarming rate.  There are many alternatives, but oil continues to be the resource of choice.  The demand for non renewable natural resources is still high, but supply is running out.  Over the next ten years, the research of renewable options is necessary so there will be an alternative energy supply, and education of the general public is in order so there is demand where there is supply.

            An order to completely switch to a more sustainable energy source is an unrealistic demand, but if alternatives to oil haven’t been found, one day the non renewable resources will run out, creating a dearth, and consequently, mass panic.  Plans need to be made for the day the oil wells run dry.  This means more time, energy, and money put into research.  Many oil companies already have teams working on alternatives fuels, but the project needs to be brought before the U.S. government, and the world.  The oil companies can race for a patent indefinitely, but for the good of the world, they need to think past the money to the solution, and what will happen if no solution is found.  The Department of Energy needs to bring together the oil companies, so that they can all work together to prevent the inevitable economic crash. 

            Education of the general public about the energy crisis we are headed towards is absolutely mandatory.  The people determine the direction of the market, so if they demand alternatives to oil, alternatives will be found.  Most Americans have no idea that they could power their lives with other resources, and they are in the dark about new findings and opportunities.  Time and energy needs to be devoted to publicity, because without demand, the supply is left unresearched, expensive, and out of reach for most families.

            Natural resources are quickly being depleted, and the non renewable ones top the list.  In order to preserve the future of the next generations, living in a more sustainable way should become more commonplace.  If this requires cutting back on consumption, and researching alternatives, then so be it.  The future is in the hands of this generation.  Will it be preserved or destroyed?