Energy

1. Energy Anna Cardillo Annemarie Ruch Kylie McBride

2. 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

3. Background • 1915-First modern petroleum refinery founded by Shell • 1920s- In order to stabilize oil prices, the government passed regulations to create regulated prices • 1928- 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 Valley • 1950s-Popularity of cars made oil the most used source of energy and the first photovoltaic cells were invented • 1957- The first commercial nuclear plant was created • 1961-First self-positioning drilling ship launched by Shell • 1965-First fuel cells used successfully on two space shuttles

4. 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 prices • 1984-Nuclear energy 2nd largest source of U.S. energy • 1992- Energy Policy Act of 1992 Introduced one of the key drivers of the renewable energy industry • 1995-39% rise in nuclear energy usage • 2000-Shell energy was introduced • 2005-Kyoto Protocol required lower carbon emission levels • 2005- Energy Policy Act of 2005 helped regulate things like daylight savings time and grants to the environment

5. 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

6. 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

7. Budgetary Impact • Immediate impact is much more expensive, but over time becomes a much smaller expense for budget • Less money put into buying gasoline • Investments into solar fuel in cities and wind turbines in rural areas • Investigation into nuclear energy

8. “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

9. Reading and Discussion Questions http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/technologies.asp • What is your opinion on renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy? • Does the claim made by this source about coal waste and methane gas effect your opinion of coal as a resource? How so? • What impact does the practice of waste incineration have on your opinion of current energy and fuel practices? • In your opinion, is there any reason why these proposed practices should not become the primary source of fuel for America? • Can you think of any other resource or method which would be more effective?

10. 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/