ANNA CARDILLOANNEMARIE RUCH

KYLIE MCBRIDE

Energy

The Energy Crisis

Too much energy dependence on foreign nations In 2010, the U.S. imported 49% of the crude oil and

refined petroleum sources which were consumed 18% of these resources came from the Persian Gulf

Too much dependence on nonrenewable energy resources Fossil fuels, along with nuclear energy, provide 93%

of the world’s energy resources

Background

1915-First modern petroleum refinery founded by Shell1920s- In order to stabilize oil prices, the government

passed regulations to create regulated prices1928- Hydraulic power became a major source of energy

in the United States 1930s- FDR installed New Deal projects that brought

power to the Tennessee River Valley1950s-Popularity of cars made oil the most used source

of energy and the first photovoltaic cells were invented1957- The first commercial nuclear plant was created1961-First self-positioning drilling ship launched by Shell1965-First fuel cells used successfully on two space

shuttles

Background

1975 - Energy Policy and Conservation Act was developed in order to modernize energy regulation

1979-Revolution in Iran leads to a spike in oil prices1984-Nuclear energy 2nd largest source of U.S. energy1992- Energy Policy Act of 1992 Introduced one of the

key drivers of the renewable energy industry1995-39% rise in nuclear energy usage2000-Shell energy was introduced2005-Kyoto Protocol required lower carbon emission

levels2005- Energy Policy Act of 2005 helped regulate things

like daylight savings time and grants to the environment

The Policy Goal

Find sustainable, domestic sources of energy which minimize environmental degradation and dependence on foreign sources

Decrease reliance on one single source and disperse the dependence into several different sources: Solar Wind Nuclear Fossil fuels

Proposed Plan of Action

Add a tax in order to collect money for funding for energy

Make energy a larger part of the National Budget

In terms of the gasoline problem, investment in domestic corn oil research

Funding research and investing in renewable resources

Research new war technology that is energy efficient

Budgetary Impact

Immediate impact is much more expensive, but over time becomes a much smaller expense for budget

Less money put into buying gasolineInvestments into solar fuel in cities and wind

turbines in rural areasInvestigation into nuclear energy

“Winners” and “Losers”

The federal government would not have to invest so much in foreign fuel sources, especially in the Middle East

Environmental stewards and interest groups would have accomplished the start of their goals

The American people would pay less for gas

The federal government would have to invest in these new, domestic sources and the research

The foreign governments and private businesses would receive less money from us!

Anti-environmental groups would react negatively

Reading and Discussion Questions

http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/technologies.asp1. What is your opinion on renewable resources such as

wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy?2. Does the claim made by this source about coal waste and

methane gas effect your opinion of coal as a resource? How so?

3. What impact does the practice of waste incineration have on your opinion of current energy and fuel practices?

4. In your opinion, is there any reason why these proposed practices should not become the primary source of fuel for America?

5. Can you think of any other resource or method which would be more effective?

Works Cited

http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/foreign_oil_dependence.cfm

http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/technologies.asp

http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/06/fossils-fuels-vs-renewable-energy-resources/

http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/environment_society/education/student/energy_timeline/