1. Energy Plan for the Future
Justin Perry
BIO-30643
Instructor Spaulding
June 28, 2013

2. Energy Plan
for the Future
Sustainability for the Economy and the
Environment

3. Dependence
 Currently, U.S. energy consumption numbers
illustrate our dependence on fossil fuels, with
close to 82 percent of our energy consumption
being fueled by coal, natural gas, and
petroleum. As a result, we are vulnerable to
global climate change, oil dependence, and
terrorism. This dependence negatively impacts
the economy and environment.

4. Impact on the Economy
 When fossil fuels are burned, so is carbon dioxide, the number one
greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. But also, human
health is affected which causes an increase in health care costs. A study
from the California State University-Fullerton said meeting the EPAs air
quality standards would save $28 billion annually (Wright &
Boorse, 2011).
 When individuals are sick due to air-related pollutants (primarily Asthma
and COPD), missed work and productivity occur. Causing an even
further strain on the economy. A report from the National Research
Council estimates the “hidden” costs of energy production and use (such
as the damage air pollution poses on human health) at $120 billion in the
U.S. in 2005).

5. Impact on the Environment
 Experiments indicate that plants are more sensitive to gaseous air pollutants than are humans. As a result, crop damage, forest damage, effects
on materials and esthetics, and visibility were all impacted due to poor air quality. To quantify this impact, India loses $5 billion yearly to
ozone crop damage, China loses $2.5 billion, and Europe loses more than 7.5 billion annually to ozone (Wright & Boorse, 2011). As the
graph illustrates, as ozone rises, the yield of crops reduces.

6. Global Climate Change
CO2 Emissions per Unit of Energy for
Fossil Fuels
Natural Gas – 100 percent
Gasoline – 134 percent
Crude Oil – 138 percent
Coal – 178 percent
All fossil fuels are carbon-based compounds and upon being burned,
release carbon dioxide as a by-product. Evidence shows that greenhouse
gas emissions have brought on a rise in global temperatures. If current
rates continue, increased melting of the polar ice caps will continue, and as
a result, sea levels will rise. Additionally, droughts and heat waves will
become a regular occurrence.

7. Oil Dependence
 “The United States imported $300 billion worth of oil in 2007,
representing 36 percent of our balance-of-payment deficit and 66 percent
of our oil consumption” (Wright & Boorse, 2011, p. 367). As a result,
when tensions rise through political and military frustrations, those with
the oil reserves can limit our consumption and raise the costs. Because of
this, we are in the hands of a few nations that, historically, we have
fought wars against. This is a recipe for disaster and one can only
question why we are still depending on fossil fuels?

8. Terrorism
 Energy sources such as pipelines, power plants, and refineries are
all subject to terrorist threats. These are ideal targets due to the
impact that will arise. Energy drives our every day lives, and if it is
disrupted, we will enter a state of emergency. Because of this
fragility, we need to remove the threat by employing renewable-
energy. If terrorists targeted a nuclear plant, the fallout would be
catastrophic, but compared to an attack on a wind farm, the
damage is minimal.

9. Inevitable
 If the previous three concerns did not illustrate the significance for
renewable-energy, this should: Fossil fuels are a finite source, and,
as a result, will eventually deplete. At our current consumption
rate, it takes 1,000 years to accumulate the amount of organic
matter that the world now consumes in one day (Wright & Boorse,
2011). Employing renewable-energy now will prevent an energy
shortage in the future.

10. The Need for Change
 The economy and environment cannot continue on the current U.S.
energy trend. Financially, 36 percent of our balance-of-payment is from
importing oil. We are going into deeper debt, while also contributing to
the degradation of the environment. It may take us being “cut off” from
our dependence to realize its impact. Hopefully, we can prevent this from
occurring and adopt renewable-energy as the main source of energy
consumption. This will need to be accomplished through affordability
and efficiency.

11. The Future of U.S. Energy
 I believe change can be accomplished through a combination
of renewable-energies. A sustainable future cannot rely solely
on one source. Through geothermal, solar, and wind, and with
the help of natural gas and combined heat-and-power facilities,
we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and commit to a
sustainable future for the economy and environment.
 Solar – a true infinite source that must be strategically placed
and fully capable to transport energy to areas lacking sunlight.
 Geothermal energy occurs where molten rock is close enough
to heat groundwater. We can use the naturally heated steam or
water to heat buildings or drive turbogenerators to produce
electricity.
 Wind energy can be paired with solar, and will meet our
demands by 100 percent within the 50 year window before
natural gas reserves deplete.

12. Natural Gas
 Although not 100 percent “clean,” we will need natural gas to replace
coal, crude oil, and gasoline to power our transportation. I am choosing
natural gas because out of the four fossil fuels, it emits the least carbon
dioxide, and also does not emit hydrocarbons or sulfur dioxides.
 By employing natural gas as our primary source for energy and fuel, we
can begin the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. By
accessing our natural gas reserves (which is estimated at 50 years), we
can begin the transition to clean renewable-energy. 50 years is more than
enough time to allow a complete takeover for energy and fuel.
 Within the 50 years, solar and wind farms will be constructed on every
piece of feasible land. Taking into consideration natural
ecosystems, migration of animals, and aesthetic concerns.

13. Solar
 We can consider solar energy an infinite source (depending upon the
location). This being said, areas that are lacking sunlight, can receive
additional power from the areas that receive an abundance of sunlight.
Currently, the total amount of solar energy reaching the Earth is
equivalent to a year’s expenditure of fossil fuel (Wright & Boorse, 2011).
 Solar energy can be captured by photovoltaic cells that can convert light
to electric energy.
 At its beginning, the photovoltaic cells cost substantially more than other
power alternatives. Since its creation, the costs have gone down
tremendously and will continue to do so through incentives and subsidies.
 It is important to note that close to 70 percent of electrical demand occurs
during daytime hours (Wright & Boorse, 2011), making solar energy even
more marketable.

14. Geothermal
 Geothermal heat pumps can be installed anywhere pipes can be drilled
into the Earth. Since ground temperature six feet below remains constant,
it can be used as an exchange system that extracts heat in the winter and
uses the ground as a heat sink in the summer. Thus, eliminates the need
for separate air-conditioning and furnaces (Wright & Boorse, 2011).
 The pipes buried underground will facilitate heat exchange between the
house and the Earth. The system can either cool or heat a house and can
be installed almost anywhere. If each house installs a geothermal heat
pump system, electricity will not need to be drawn to cool or heat a
home. Reducing a dramatic strain on energy sources.

15. Wind
 Wind farms/turbines must be placed strategically in order to eliminate
disturbance of migrating birds. While also taking into consideration the
aesthetic burden that haunts wind power. If the turbines are placed in
remote locations where wind activity is high, the yield will be generous.
The generation of wind power in 2008 displaced 76 million tons of
carbon dioxide (Wright & Boorse, 2011).

16. Conclusion
 With the combination of solar and wind, these two sources must be
strategically placed in order to receive maximum benefits. Geothermal
heat pumps will be responsible for cooling and heating households, while
combined heat-and-power will dictate large buildings. Eliminating waste
that is a result of such productions.
 The loss of jobs in the coal and oil sector can be restored through the
solar and wind sectors. Minimizing the affect of employment with the
elimination of energy sources.
 The economy will flourish, since we are not spending $300 billion
importing oil, spending $120 billion on health care from poor air quality,
and the $28 billion saved on air quality standards directed by the EPA.
 The environment will also reap benefits with the phase-out off fossil
fuels. Crops will have higher yields, fisheries and forests will flourish,
and air and water quality will improve human well-being.
 With successful implementation of geothermal, natural gas, solar, and
wind we can turn the U.S. deficit into a surplus while also cutting our
dependence on foreign oil.

17. References
 Effects of Ozone Air Pollution on Plants. (2012). U.S. Department of
 Agriculture. Retrieved from
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=12462
 Frueh, S., Burnette, A. (2009). News from the national academies.
 Retrieved June 28, 2013 from
 http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?Record
ID=12794
 Wright, R. T., & Boorse, D. F. (2011). Environmental Science: Toward a
 Sustainable Future (11 ed.). Boston: Cummings.