Energy and the Environment

Background

Americans only make up 5% of world’s population but consume 20% of its energy

Until late 1950s the US was self-sufficient by producing all its energy needed

In last 60 years gap btwn domestic productions and consumption has widened- but new trends are pushing us back towards energy independence

However, still very dependent on foreign oil

Background

Obama Administration is looking to renewable sources of energy to help provide more power in the future Nuclear energy Wind Solar Biomass

A debate has been arising among US policymakers and citizens about whether the US is doing enough to protect the environment and maintain energy security Oil prices and dependence on foreign oil Ongoing worry about increasing temperatures

Fracking

Hydraullic fracturing (fracking) involves injecting water into rock formations which releases oil and natural gas trapped in the rock

As a result of this technology the production of oil in the US has increased to almost 9 million barrels this year

Fracking will turn the U.S into an energy

superpowerPRO

Technologies have increased country’s production of oil and natural gas

Natural gas prices are less now then they were- providing much-needed reduction in energy costs

Reliable domestic energy sources will lead to re-birth of US manufacturing

New methods can end the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources

CON

Not sure what effects these new methods will have on the environment

Cases of contaminated water and air pollution

Encourages people to rely on inexpensive fossil fuels- further global warming

U.S Energy Sources

Fossil Fuels Non-renewable 80% of consumed energy in US comes from burning fossil fuels Coal, oil, natural gas

Oil % of oil imported is expected to drop since US is consuming less

energy while producing more domestic oil

Natural Gas Non-renewable Burns cleaner than coal and has helped in fight against climate change ‘fracking’

Coal Most abundantly domestically produced

Renewable Energy Sources

Accounts for 10% of US energy supply

Renewable: self-generating and cannot be depleted

One issue with sources such as wind and solar is that they only produce power when certain conditions are present- not consistent

Creation of cost-effective, clean source of energy should be a

national priority

PRO

Top priority should be investment in research and development of alt energy to slow increase in climate change

Demand for energy will dramatically increase the price of fossil fuels unless we develop affordable alt energy sources

Save gov’t billions of dollars in defense spending related to protecting the flow of oil globally

CON

Gov’t has wasted too much $ on renewable energy projects- $ should go toward reliable domestic energy production

Fracking will create thousands of jobs and make the US energy independent

Increase in fracking has led to use of more affordable natural gas for electricity

Nuclear Power

Provides 5.7% of world’s energy and 13% of electricity

437 active nuclear power reactors in 31 countries

Nuclear energy was becoming more popular because it is cleaner than oil or coal

However, since Fukushima the push for nuclear power has slowed down

Nuclear Power in the US

Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued new requirements for the nation’s 104 operating nuclear reactors New safety requirements and plans for responding to a

natural disaster

Nuclear reactors provide a tenth of country’s total energy and 19% of electricity

Obama Administration supports continued development of new nuclear facilities in the US Most recent construction license given out in February

of 2012

Nuclear power is a safe and reliable energy alternative

PRO Does not produce carbon-

so does not effect climate change

Overall record of nuclear energy is safe

US has abundant supplies of uranium- allow us to provide fuel for nuclear power for decades to come

CON Safety concerns

Not economically sound- power plants cost billions of dollars to build and operate

Nuclear power generates waste that will remain toxic for centuries and must be expensively stored