UNIT SEVEN| ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife, are in fact plans to protect man.” —Stewart Udall “Oil is what this country runs on. You call it monopoly. I call it enterprise.” —John D. Rockefeller

THE VALUE OF ENERGY In 2012, despite claiming only five percent of the world’s population, the United States accounted for 18 percent of global energy consumption…”

Low cost energy OR reducing impact on environment? What is more important? Low cost energy OR reducing impact on environment?

Extracting fossil fuels OR developing renewable energy? What is more important? Extracting fossil fuels OR developing renewable energy?

Expanding fracking OR investing in nuclear? What is more important? Expanding fracking OR investing in nuclear?

Types OF ENERGY Fossil Fuel Energy– Non-renewable energies such as oil, natural gas, or coal. These provide 81% of power in the United States but they often pollute the environment. Renewable Energy – Biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and win promise clean energy but they can be very expensive and inefficient. Nuclear Energy – Powerful and burns cleanly but it produces large amounts of hazardous waste which must be stored for long periods of time.

Did you know? In 2014, in the midst of the American fracking boom, the International Energy Agency determined that the United States had surpassed Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas liquids.14 And by January 2015, the surge in production led the average cost of one gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in the United States to fall to $2.05—a decrease of more than $1.20 from the prior year, according to AAA.15

GOVERNMENT or PRIVATE $$$ In 2011, the solar panel start-up Solyndra filed for bankruptcy after receiving $535 million in loan guarantees from the federal government, leaving taxpayers largely on the hook.34 And in May 2013, Tesla Motors Inc. repaid a $465 million government loan nine years ahead of schedule. 32 By early 2014, the electric car company exceeded $30 billion in market value.33

CLIMATE CHANGE?

Gift or GOD ABUSE WORSHIP STEWARD

HOMEWORK due NOVEMBER 8th Read Domestic Policy: IMMIGRATION Complete Reading Guide