US Needs to Have Energy Independence
opinion Essay
795 words
Introduction
The reliance on other countries for fossil fuels that produce energy have put the United States of America at risk of being pulled into unstable regions around the world jeopardizing international relationships and putting its own citizens in harm’s way. America needs to balance both the pursuit of alternative energy solutions and reduce energy usage. Our military runs on fossil fuels produced by other nations who do not have similar interests or values as the United States, ultimately adding unwanted risk that becomes difficult to manage. There are advantages to alternative energy solutions that could allow for America to become an independent energy nation that would eliminate the need to support and stabilize various regions around the world. The U.S. Military needs to reduce its overall energy usage by taking advantage of breakthrough technologies that could be integrated onto current systems.
Arguments
America is dependent on other nations for their ability to create energy. The United States is the world’s largest consumer of oil at 18.49 million barrels of oil per day. And it will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future considering the next largest customer of oil only consumes about 60% of what the U.S. does. This makes the U.S. vulnerable to any instability that may arise in the energy industry. In 2011, the world’s top three oil companies were Saudi Aramco (12%), National Iranian Oil Company (5%), and China National Petroleum Corp (4%). The risk associated with these countries being the top oil producers is twofold. One, they are located half way around the world making it an expensive to transport the product logistically to a desired destination. And two, the U.S. has weak, if not contentious,...
... middle of paper ...
...e of its own. And when they become completely independent of energy, there will be a new reason to celebrate Independence Day!
Works Cited
Lafontaine, Dan. Army Engineers Spur Development of Tactical Microgrids. June 5, 2012. http://www.army.mil/article/81123/ (accessed March 16, 2014).
—. Improved Batteries, SWIPES to Lighten Soldiers' Load. May 7, 2012. http://www.army.mil/article/79388/ (accessed March 16, 2014).
Tiwari, G.N., and R.K. Mishra. Advanced Renewable Energy Sources. Cambridge, U.K.: RSC Publishing, 2011.
U.S. Congressional Record - Senate. Congressional Record, V. 153, PT. 2. Political Proceedings & Debates, Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 2007.
U.S. Energy Information Administration. Independent Statistics & Analysis: U.S. EIA. March 15, 2012. http://www.eia.gov/countries/index.cfm?view=consumption (accessed March 16, 2014).
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america needs to balance the pursuit of alternative energy solutions and reduce energy usage by taking advantage of breakthrough technologies.
- Opines that america needs to balance the pursuit of alternative energy solutions and reduce energy usage. the highest oil production locations are too far from america's soil.
- Argues that the u.s. is the world's largest consumer of oil and is vulnerable to instability in the energy industry.
- Cites lafontaine, dan. army engineers spur development of tactical microgrids.
- Explains the u.s. congressional record - senate. political proceedings & debates, washington: united states government printing office, 2007.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- explanatory
- comparative
- The United States Must Abandon Nuclear Poweranalytical essayThe United States must re-examine many policies previously accepted as reasonable, especially its own national energy policy. As the largest overall and per capita energy consumer in the world, the U.S. needs to decide upon a reasonable source of energy for the foreseeable future, especially since its energy needs will increase dramatically during that time. With political instability likely to remain the norm in the Middle East, oil continues to be an energy source of questionable reliability; in addition, current estimates of worldwide reserves suggest we may in fact run out of oil entirely in the next fifty years. Natural gas reserves are in fairly short supply too, and costs limit its uses as well. Another major alternative, coal, has become the nation’s leading energy source (providing more than 55% of the country’s electricity), and projected supplies could last for hundreds of years (Sweet 49). However, the tremendous output by coal-fired plants of CO2—the major “greenhouse” gas—along with other atmospheric pollutants makes it equally as undesirable as oil.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states must re-examine many policies previously accepted as reasonable, especially its national energy policy.
- Argues that nuclear power is an expensive and unreliable source of power under the control of companies with disgraceful safety records.
- Explains that the origins of nuclear power should be enough to give one pause; fission reactions (albeit uncontrolled ones) were originally intended to be used as weapons. the manhattan project, its use in japan and the effect on world war ii are all well-known.
- Analyzes the relationship between the fledgling nuclear industry and the military-industrial complex and other large multi-national corporations.
- Explains that the u.s. government created the atomic energy commission (aec) in 1946, which was responsible for regulating the nuclear industry and promoting it.
- Argues that nuclear plants are highly susceptible to a wide variety of disasters.
- Argues that nuclear industry supporters scoff at terrorism and serious accidents as not credible threats, but accidents happen with alarming regularity, and true calamities have been narrowly averted.
- Explains that the earliest major accident in a u.s. reactor occurred on january 3, 1961, shattering the industry's widespread claim that "no one has ever died because of nuclear reactors."
- Analyzes how the "experimental reactor" argument loses ground when addressing accidents that occur at fully operational commercial reactors.
- Explains that nuclear proponents often suggest that the safety benefits resulting from standardized reactor design would safeguard against many possible hazards, yet they fail to address costs and waste disposal.
- Explains that nuclear plants are the single most expensive way to produce energy, despite early claims that they would be too cheap to meter. the rapid escalating price of uranium and the excessive down-times of many reactors contribute to nuclear-generated electricity being 25% more expensive than coal.
- Explains that uranium contributes heavily to the upward-spiralling costs of nuclear plant operation.
- Explains that breeder reactors were supposed to solve any shortages of uranium and create a "virtually limitless" supply of fuel.
- Compares the toxicity of plutonium and the time-scales involved with it. the average modern nuclear plant produces 500 pounds of uranium per year of operation.
- Argues that renewable energy is based on flexibility of energy sources, since the sun doesn't always shine, nor the wind always blows.
- Opines that nuclear energy must not play a part in the final picture of the united states' energy future. government and industry giants are blind to the dangers for fear of losing their monopoly on energy.
- Opines that the united states must re-examine its entire energy base, using a variety of power sources except the one it can't afford to use on any level.
- Explains that cook, judith, red alert: the worldwide dangers of nuclear power.
- Reviews curtis, richard, and elizabeth hogan's nuclear lessons: an examination of nuclear power’s safety, economic and political record.
- Explains shrader-frechette's nuclear power and public policy: the social and ethical problems of fission technology.
- Describes stoler, peter, and dodd, mead and company's decline and fail: the ailing nuclear power industry.
- Explains sweet, william, the nuclear age: atomic energy, proliferation and the arms race.
3557 wordsRead More - Fossil Fuels Essayopinion essay... reforms on the imports and production methods. Along with the millions of acres opened for exploration that would increase self-reliance, it would also lessen the United States’ reliance on oil from Africa, the Middle East and those areas affected by conflict (Klare). As previously mentioned, the military is the biggest consumer of energy in the US. If the American military is relying on imported oil from the conflicted areas in which control the price and supply, then the country as a whole is vulnerable to those who are able to control it. The military continues to work on reducing dependency on foreign fuels so that the nation’s security is safer. By also promoting advances in technology that would enhance the United States’ environment and economy, vulnerability to “violence, corruption and authoritarianism” from the companies overseas would decline.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america's dependence on fossil fuels is a pressing issue for the whole world. people everywhere continue to seek solutions to the growing problem by reducing the price of fuel consumers pay and protecting the nation’s security from foreigners.
- Explains that non-renewable resources are mined and drilled so that people around the world can benefit from their use.
- Explains that the united states has taken greater steps to insure a greener future.
- Analyzes how the unrest in the supply area and the variations in america's economy affect oil prices.
- Explains the steps needed to reduce the price of fossil fuels are more complicated than they appeared, but still implement their ideas in order to help the problem.
- Explains that america is becoming more independent from the foreign oil market, but its reliance on the products prohibits the maintenance of a fully protected national security.
- Opines that the need to ensure a safer nation includes many of which are beneficial to the environment and economy.
1626 wordsRead More - Our Dangerous Dependence on Fossil Fuelsanalytical essayFossil fuels have been proven to be damaging to our environment, economy and has made the United States vulnerable to dangerous and unstable countries by exporting the resources that they have. The U.S. depends on countries like Sadie Arabia for our oil supplies. How would we be affected if Sadie Arabia refused to sell us their oil? Would our oil reserves run out or would we be able to buy from another country? These are scenarios that we need to be concerned about. According to Rebecca Lefton and Daniel J. Weiss in their article “Oil Dependence Is a Dangerous Habit”, the U.S. has increased import of oil in the recent years, creating a bigger deficit in the United States. Our countries deficit has resulted in nationwide budget cuts. The continuation of oil imports with foreign countries is going to create an even larger debt in America. In 2008 our country spent around $150 Billion on oil imports alone (Lefton, R. & Weiss, D.J. (2014) Oil Dependence Is a Dangerous Habit. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2010/01/13/7200/oil-dependence-is-a-dangerous-habit/). Environmentally, the burning of fossil fuels have led to global warming. As most of us know, global warming can cause changes in our clim...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america depends on fossil fuels in many different ways, from travel to large industries. renewable energies can save our environment and change the world as we know it.
- Explains that the u.s. depends on countries like sadie arabia for its oil supplies, which has created a bigger deficit in the united states.
- Explains that renewable energy resources like windmills, dams and solar energy would be beneficial to our country. nuclear power does not produce harmful side effects to the environment directly.
- Argues that americans need to consider alternatives when there are no more fossil fuels left. car companies have already considered this and started to produce cars that don't rely on fuel as much.
- Opines that fossil fuel has fueled our economy and way of life for decades, and that americans need to be open about other options that become available to them.
687 wordsRead More - America Must Reduce Oil Importsanalytical essayThe terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 was a devastating day for America’s oil industry. Oil prices skyrocketed and fear was put in America. In his article “Take $10 off the Price of Oil,” Steve Hanke states that from 2001 to 2004 oil prices more than doubled reaching $55 per barrel due to Bush’s order for the government to purchase 700 million barrels of oil that caused prices to rise from storage cost. On top of this, oil prices were high to help preserve the oil supply because the nation was afraid oil imports from the Middle East would come to a halt. The September 11th tragedy was not the only time America suffered with high oil prices. In the 1970s some foreign countries stopped exporting oil, which made America fear an oil shortage if imports stopped. America was and remains too reliant on foreign countries for oil. If America were to suffer through another depression such as the Great Depression, then difficulty to make a descant living would be even more than after the September 11th tragedy.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that america needs to be more conservative with the oil supply. being self-reliant on oil would lower the gas and diesel prices for individuals and business owners.
- Argues that the u.s. could be less conservative with oil by choosing to export oil to foreign countries.
- Explains that high oil prices in the u.s. are affecting american families and small businesses. they rely on people on vacations to earn their living.
- Opines that u.s. oil output will overtake saudi arabia's by 2020. treasury and risk nov.
- Quotes zezima, katie, to urge the state to intervene in the case of truckers in maine, feeling high costs of diesel fuel.
- Argues that america should stop importing and using oil from foreign countries for the production of fuels to benefit the american people.
- Explains that if the u.s. stopped importing oil, the demand for oil would rise, and jobs would be created in the oilfield.
- Explains crane, keith, and hanke, steve h. imported oil and u.s. national security.
1681 wordsRead More - H.R. 6 (110th): Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007explanatory essayIntroduction Climate change has garnered much attention over the past decade. Similarly, the cost of energy has become a growing debate. Ultimately, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was introduced in response to the growing concerns with climate change as well as the increasing amount of greenhouse gas emissions coupled with increased oil price. These factors brought these issues to the general public’s attention and raised questions regarding the United States’ own energy efficiency and reliance on foreign energy.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in order to implement the regulations as specified by energy independent security act (eisa), three main agencies were in charge of setting the standards. the focus will be on the first four main titles.
- Describes the actions taken to implement the title i-energy security through improved vehicle fuel economy guidelines.
- Cites the washington post for president bush's state of the union address.
- States that the us department of transportation (2011, april) summary of fuel economy performance. accessed may 8, 2013.
- Explains that the energy independence and security act of 2007 was introduced in response to the growing concerns with climate change and the increasing amount of greenhouse gas emissions coupled with increased oil price.
- Explains that the energy independence and security act was introduced for a number of reasons, including the state of the union address by george bush in 2006.
- Explains that the energy independence and security act of 2007 was introduced by nick rahall, who is currently serving as the ranking member on the house transportation and infrastructure committee.
- Explains that there were more than 310 bills related to energy efficiency and renewable energy in the 110th congress. many were introduced around the same time as the original h.r. 6 clean energy act.
- Describes h.r. 656, which calls for higher automobile fuel efficiency with the goal of reducing oil used for automotive fuel by 10% starting in 2017.
- States that h.r. 182 creates an excise tax on gas-guzzler vehicles and a trust fund for alternative fuel refueling infrastructure projects.
- Explains that h.r. 84 – energy efficient buildings act of 2007 provides grants for renovations to make buildings more energy efficient.
- Explains that there is no single set of criteria to choose this policy formulation over each of the given alternatives. the two controversial sections called for the repeal of tax subsidies for domestic oil and natural gas production and the renewable portfolio standard.
- Explains the goal of title ii: energy security through increased production of biofuels, which was to increase the amount of biofuel produced by the united states, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Explains that eisa has seen much evaluation and scrutiny over its effectiveness. in 2011, congressional budget negotiations led to a defunding for title iii.
- Cites the authenticated u.s government information (gpo) from the 2007 h.r.6. 110th congress.
- Explains the energy independence and security act of 2007 (eisa) frequently asked questions. epa finalizes regulations for the national renewable fuel standard program for 2010 and beyond.
- Cites the u.s energy information administration's energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation in the 110th congress.
3433 wordsRead More - Energy Crisis: Is America In Troubleopinion essayGlobal energy crisis threatens, scientist says CHICAGO (April 17, 1997) -- An impending global energy crisis with potentially massive impact on American industry and jobs can be avoided if America strives for a portfolio of energy systems, a distinguished scientist said here today. In advocating an end to name-calling between energy advocates and environmentalists, Alan Schriesheim said, "We cannot set effective energy policy in an environmental vacuum, nor can we set effective environmental policy in an energy vacuum." Schriesheim, director emeritus at Argonne National Laboratory, spoke at a gathering sponsored by the Chicago Academy of Sciences at the University Club of Chicago.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that renewable sources of energy such as oil, natural gas, and coal are rapidly depleted and harmful to the environment when burned to create energy and harm the entire planet when used.
- Opines that nuclear power is not an adequate solution to this problem. however, fission plants have many negative qualities and are dangerous in the event of a meltdown.
- Opines that solar and hydroelectric sources have their faults, such as not enough rivers to provide enough power from hydro plants, and the inefficiency of solar panels.
- Opines that an impending global energy crisis can be avoided if america strives for a portfolio of energy systems. schriesheim advocated an end to name-calling between energy advocates and environmentalists.
- The argonne scientist's talk was part of the chicago academy of sciences lecture series 'science literacy for the 21st century.'
- Explains that the fec has ordered wholesalers to justify $124 million in charges sold to california utilities in january and february or pay refunds.
- Argues that california's deregulation was a miscalculation, since it didn't anticipate the economic recovery and the needs of tech companies.
- Explains that fusion is regarded by scientists and politicians as an excellent hope for our energy future.
2203 wordsRead More - Renewable Energy: The Switch is Nowcomparative essayThe year is 2200. The world is going through a fossil fuel shortage. Oil reserves are almost completely consumed and it is becoming impossible to find new fossil fuel sources. Not prepared for this event to occur, The United States, has no alternative options. As a result of the oil shortage, the standard of living deteriorates. Heat in homes, supermarkets full of food, and transportation, all basic necessities taken for granted, will be depleted because fossil fuels are used to power almost everything. The key to the prevention of this future is renewable energy. Unfortunately the support for the use of renewable energy is weak and ineffective. Unless the US puts forth effort to research and promote the use of renewable energy to consumers, conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy will no longer be an option.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states has no alternative options because of the fossil fuel shortage. the key to the prevention of this future is renewable energy.
- Explains that the use of fossil fuels on a large scale, specifically coal, began with the industrial revolution in england.
- Compares the consumption of fossil fuels and renewables in the u.s.
- Explains that government involvement in promoting alternative energies in the u.s. began with the passage of the clean air act.
- Concludes that future dependence on fossil fuels is preventable with research and development on alternative and renewable technologies and government involvement.
- Describes the u.s. energy information administration (eia)'s independent statistics and analysis.
- Explains that humans have used alternative sources of energy for centuries, even before it became popular in the 1970s. america's energy usage is divided into four sections/sectors, transportation, commercial, residential, and industrial
- Explains that renewable energy and nuclear power are the fastest-growing energy sources, but fossil fuels will continue to supply almost 80 percent of world energy use through 2040.
- Explains alters, sandra m. energy supplies, sustainability, and costs. 2011 ed. wylie: information plus.
- States mast, tom r., over a barrel: a simple guide to the oil shortage, austin: hayden, 2005.
1511 wordsRead More - Energy, Society, and Climate Changecomparative essayEnergy, Society, and Climate Change The topic of my presentation was the proposal to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. This controversial proposal has come into the forefront of U.S. energy policy in the past year with the Bush administration advocating its approval to open the previously undisturbed habitat of the Refuge to oil exploration. In my presentation, I gave a basic overview of U.S. oil usage, a brief history of drilling on the North Slope, the formation of ANWR, the potential pros and cons of drilling in the Refuge, and concluded by citing other means of oil management that would by far offset any temporary gains by ANWR drilling.
In this essay, the author
- Proposes drilling for oil in the anwr, located on the eastern half of the oil-rich north slope of alaska.
- Explains that the supporting alaska free enterprise (safe) released a report regarding the oil and gas potential for the 1002 area of the anwr.
- Opines that oil drilling in the anwr would have negative impacts on wildlife, such as caribou, muskoxen, and polar bear populations.
- Explains that instead of drilling in the anwr, there are more economically practical solutions to ridding the u.s. import dependence on oil.
- Proposes a long-term solution to decreasing dependence on oil imports by making automobiles more fuel efficient.
- Concludes that drilling in the anwr isn't worth the risk of a pristine habitat and wildlife. the united states and its policy makers need to grasp the reality that oil is not going to be around forever.
- Presents a basic overview of u.s. oil usage, history of drilling on the north slope, formation of anwr, potential pros and cons, and concludes by citing other means of oil management.
1892 wordsRead More - Persuasive Speech: Solar Poweranalytical essaySignificance: The United States must face the fact that the world is running out of oil and with today’s rising oil prices, economic and political instability in regions where the United States gets the majority of its oil, this country must begin looking into alternative means of energy to replace oil and end our dependence on foreign powers.
In this essay, the author
- Aims to persuade their audience that solar power should become the main form of alternative energy in the united states.
- Describes the benefits of solar energy with the grim forecast of the world’s future oil supply on the horizon.
- Describes the costs of electricity delivery to residential users at a cost on par with natural gas.
- Explains that in the last few years research has taken place that will allow solar power to be used.
- Explains that cells can produce two or three times more energy over a year.
- Analyzes how this improvement leads to a summary that only captures the suns energy half the day.
- Explains that energy held in salts is used to make steam, which turns turbines.
- Argues that solar power has the potential to become the united states' main supply of energy and replace the need for more conventional and harmful forms of power generation.
- Opines that the united states must look into new sources of energy, and the most promising is solar power. scientists predict that in the next several decades the world will run out of oil.
- Explains that solar power is becoming more cost effective and in the next few years it will be just as cheap to produce electricity from solar energy as traditional sources such as coal or natural gas.
- Argues that solar power is too expensive and the technology is not effective enough to compete with the more conventional types of energy such as coal or oil.
- Explains that the energy storage system stores heat produced during the day and uses it at night when it is most needed.
- Explains that solar power is the cleanest and safest form of power generation. it produces very small amounts of electricity.
- Opines that solar power is the best choice in the field of alternative energy. it's the future of the planets energy needs and will do so cleanly and safely.
- Explains that the cost of solar energy will soon compare with that of coal.
1587 wordsRead More - United States Foreign Oil Dependencyopinion essay...ss with other countries. Instead of importing oil, the U.S should invest in clean-energy technology innovation, which would boost growth and create jobs. Investing in a clean-energy economy is the clear path toward re-establishing our economic stability and strengthening our national security. (Content, T. 2011).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the cost of crude oil represents about 36% of the u.s balance of payment deficit, and the risk of supply disruptions caused by political instability in the middle east.
- Explains that the u.s is one of the world's leading producers of greenhouse gases and far outpaces other countries in per capita consumption of fossil fuels.
- Concludes that the united states can reduce its dependence on foreign oil by adopting clean-energy and global warming pollution reduction policies.
- Explains how the united states became dependent on imported oil, primarily from arab countries in the middle east, to fill the gap between rising demand and falling supply of oil.
- Opines that the u.s is a major contributor to the global demand for oil, and the energy policy act of 2005 authorizes loan guarantees for innovative technologies that avoid greenhouse gases.
- Cites content, t., & weiss, d. j. (2010, january 13). oil dependence is a dangerous habit. center for american progress.
918 wordsRead More