Geothermal Energy in America Essay

Replace the remainder of coal plants with clean energy solutions that consist of wind, solar, and geothermal within the United

The energy crisis is nothing new. For too long America has put off and ignored a critically relevant and ever-growing problem; a problem that is at the heart of ongoing issues, which include the condition of our environment, the downturn of our economy, and the state of our national security. For the past thirty-five years, promises have ben made, plans have failed, and the problem still remains. Said President Richard Nixon, in his State of the Union Address in January of 1974. “Let this be our national goal: At the end of this decade, in the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need to provide our jobs, to heat our homes, and to keep our transportation moving.” Something needs to be done. America needs to turn to a new, healthier and more efficient source of energy.

America should pursue alternative energy sources because “With only 5 percent of the worlds population, the United States consumes almost one-quarter (22.5%) of global energy”. (((Josef Bram, 15))) With such a small percentage of the world’s population and still one of the largest consumers of energy the U.S should be looking for new and better ways to generate energy. Currently The U.S’s energy is supplied using traditional sources. According to Canadian scientist and policy analyst Vaclav Smil “Todays energy 29% from coal, 33% from oil and gas, and 33% from soft-energy (alternative sources)” (((Smil, 47))) Most of the energy we use on a daily basis is not produced using clean methods. Some alternative energy sources that are already in place within the United Stats are wind, solar, and hydraulic.

Our society has faced two major energy related problems since the Industrial Revolution. The first is where our future energy resources are going to come from. The United States both consumes and produces an immense

David Nye is of the opinion that even if a new energy system is developed in the USA the process of conversion would be gradual and this can be seen in the evolution of the structure as well as the composition of the energy systems in the USA over time. The history energy of America can be traced in six energy systems from muscle power to “an eclectic bricolage of many technologies and conservation measures, coordinated by computer technologies” (Nye, 253). The first one took place during the pre-Columbian period where the prime mover was the muscle power and stayed relevant until 1920. New sources of energy were introduced by the European colonialists that included water, the wind as well as domestic animals.

The current energy policy for the United States of America is quickly becoming obsolete in current times. With issues of national security, pollution and global warming, and sustainability all becoming ever more important in today’s world the nation is in need of a serious energy overhaul. As it stands now government entities and officials rely primarily on private companies to create and transport the energy that the American public uses daily. The problem with this energy policy stems from the three main features of how private companies handle the production and acquisition of energy: relying on fossil fuels, importing fuels, and operating in an unsustainable fashion.

By encouraging innovation and technology, Houston brings forward positive changes in a number of factors that benefit the energy industry, including efficiency, productivity, quality and competitiveness. Fitzgerald describes innovation as the ‘ticket to the future’ (Joyner, 2010, pp. 1) It is achieved through brainstorming fast and new ideas, focusing on the big picture, and knowing the needs of the market. The fundamental role of technology, in the energy industry specifically, is achieving great advancements to improve the status of the current industry. This could consist of increasing output, improving effectiveness, or enhancing use. Within

Thomas talked about the importance of understanding the current problems and our resources are starting to become limited as the United States is becoming over populated with a high consuming generation of middle class people. Friedman recommends that green energy will be the next major advancement that will help slow down global warming and the use of our resources. The book explains the needs for the renewable energy technology that will ultimately make the United States the strongest

Moreover, the author continues citing the benefits of geothermal energy. An evident point mentioned in the article is that geothermal energy is a clean, renewable, and dependable energy that can run 24 hours a day, all year round. The author moves forward to mention other real life examples of countries that adopted the usage of geothermal energy. Countries such as the United States, New Zealand, Italy, Iceland, japan, Mexico,and Indonesia are using this kind of energy right now which is so important to prove his argument as real usage applications are

Biomass energy is a renewable energy source from living or recently living plant and animal materials which can be used as fuel. There are many ways in which we could produce this energy such as heat and steam. Also, instead of leaving waste in landfills, we’re reusing that waste and converting it into usable power. Pros: 1. Renewable. 2. Dependency on Fossil Fuels is Reduced 3. Protects air quality 4. Improves forest health. Cons: 1. Not 100% clean. 2. Requires a lot of water. 3. Not as efficient as fossil fuels.

Hawaii has at least 50 renewable energy projects spread over five islands, including the state’s only geothermal power plant on the eastern rift zone off the Kilauea volcano.

You've almost made it. The captain says that around these mountains, in about 15 minutes, you should see it, the great coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: birthplace to caribou, polar bears, and much of the other arctic wildlife. You've been looking forward to seeing this for as long as you can remember and when you do it's breathtaking: crisp clean white plains, just like you'd seen in the National Geographic. You listen to the sounds surrounding you, the ocean lapping along the boat, the air whistling through the mountains, thewhat's that? That mechanical noiseit sounds likelike engines, but what are machines doing on this remote, beautiful, peaceful, and highly

How might Kentucky be losing money by using coal? They’re not using geothermal energy, of course. Currently, Kentucky’s main source of energy is coal, which creates pollution, adding to global warming. Geothermal energy is the heat, or thermal energy, of the earth. Both Geothermal energy and the Chemical energy in coal are converted into electrical energy with the use of water, which, when heated enough, becomes steam. Geothermal energy does not produce pollution. Coal, however, does not. Electrical energy powers our lights, machines, air conditioners, and so many more things. Geothermal energy can also utilized to heat our homes, as we transfer the thermal energy from underground to the surface. By replacing coal energy with geothermal energy, Kentucky will save coal for later, allowing Kentucky to sell coal to the surrounding states. Geothermal is a much better option than coal because Geothermal energy is environmentally friendly, efficient, and frees up coal for use in other things.

With American population expected to increase by approximately fifty percent over the next fifty years, some sort of energy reform is needed (Lehrman 2). The most commonly proposed idea is for America to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels, and to turn its focus onto renewable sources of energy, such as solar power and hydroelectricity (Energy Information Administration). If the United States could realize the benefits of renewable energy, then much of the world’s energy problems could be solved.

Geothermal Energy The human population is currently using up its fossil fuel supplies at staggering rates. Before long we will be forced to turn somewhere else for energy. There are many possibilities such as hydroelectric energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, solar energy and geothermal energy to name a few. Each one of these choices has its pros and cons.