Energy and the Environment

Background Americans only make up 5% of world’s population but consume 20% of its energy 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 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 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 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 Obama Administration is looking to renewable sources of energy to help provide more power in the future Nuclear energy Nuclear energy Wind Wind Solar Solar Biomass 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 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 Oil prices and dependence on foreign oil Ongoing worry about increasing temperatures 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 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 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 superpower PRO 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 Fossil Fuels Non-renewable Non-renewable 80% of consumed energy in US comes from burning fossil fuels 80% of consumed energy in US comes from burning fossil fuels Coal, oil, natural gas Coal, oil, natural gas Oil Oil % of oil imported is expected to drop since US is consuming less energy while producing more domestic oil % of oil imported is expected to drop since US is consuming less energy while producing more domestic oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Non-renewable Non-renewable Burns cleaner than coal and has helped in fight against climate change Burns cleaner than coal and has helped in fight against climate change ‘fracking’ ‘fracking’ Coal Coal Most abundantly domestically produced Most abundantly domestically produced

Renewable Energy Sources Accounts for 10% of US energy supply Accounts for 10% of US energy supply Renewable: self-generating and cannot be depleted 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 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 Provides 5.7% of world’s energy and 13% of electricity 437 active nuclear power reactors in 31 countries 437 active nuclear power reactors in 31 countries Nuclear energy was becoming more popular because it is cleaner than oil or coal 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 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 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 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 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 Obama Administration supports continued development of new nuclear facilities in the US Most recent construction license given out in February of 2012 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