Core Connection

Core Connection:  Using nonrenewable resources is effective in the short run, but can pose an issue in the long-term.  What if oil reserves run out?  What if the effect of these energy sources pollutes the earth to the point where it is not safe to live on?  If these long-term possibilities are not addressed soon, problems related to energy sources will soon become evident.
~ Alex Zietlow

Discussion Questions

1. Why are sustainable energy sources desired? 
2. Does it surprise you that achieving energy independence as a nation is politically relevant now? 
3. How should government interfere with energy in America?

Russian Energy Should Keep Flowing

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Russian Energy Should Keep Flowing

With current tensions in Ukraine, Russia will need to cut back on its exports of oil and natural gas.  This not only means that other countries like the United States will not be able to import as much energy as normal, it also means that oil prices may spike, crippling the global economy.  Experts say, however, that the world’s need for Russian oil and Russia’s need for revenue will “ensure that taps stay open throughout the crisis.”

People make this assumption based on obvious evidence.  For example, Europe currently gets about 25% of its natural gas from Russia, using it to produce heat, nutrients, and other products.  Also Russia needs the revenue energy provides, as 70% of its $515 billion in annual export revenue accounts for 52% of the federal budget.

The potential effect it could have on the economy is negative, however, the possible impact it could have on the environment is positive.  In connection to the core concern of finding more renewable energy sources, less energy distribution leads to higher prices, which leads to lower demand, which can ultimately mean less consumption.  This lack of consumption could possibly lead to inventing new renewable energy sources, and could even lead to strides of making the United States energy independent! 

                                                                                                      

 
~ Alex Zietlow

Solar Power in Oklahoma

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            Light has been the very essence of life since the beginning of time. The sun is the global energy source to all living things on this planet, why were we even using the limited oil and natural gasses we have beneath our feet?

The very first spark that started the new idea for solar power came in 1941, when scientist Russell Ohl invented the silicon solar cell. By doing what he did, he managed to pave the way for all of humanity to be able to transfer pure sunlight into electricity for their everyday needs. With his invention he was able to open up a previously uncharted territory of the world’s largest energy source and gave humans an opportunity like never before. 

So, if the sun is such an endless supply of energy, why isn’t there a solar panel on every roof in every home of America? A lot of factors come into play when the question of why solar energy isn’t the number one energy source in the world. Solar panels themselves take time to install and are often quite costly and leave the general public just staying with the simple energy source they have now. But on top of all these factors, other factors come into play to make this world-changing energy source even less attractive. 

Very recently, in the state of Oklahoma, a new bill is in the making to hurt solar power and enforce natural gasses and other power sources. This bill states that any person who would like to have a solar panel installed on their home will also have to pay an extra fee because of this new bill. As soon as this bill gets passed, it will land a major blow on all solar companies that operate inside of Oklahoma and hurt anyone that might want to buy solar power. So this leads us to the questions, with many environmentalist already pushing for more use of solar power, do you think it is right for Oklahoma to pass this new legislation and what should the public do to fight this legislation?

~ Eugene Glukh

Germany's Wind Power Boost

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This article describes the activities that took place during the energy summit in Berlin, Germany.  At this meeting Germany decided to take a large step away from fossil fuels and nuclear power and towards wind power.  Originally reforms to the country’s Renewable Energy Act would be against wind power because subsidies would be reduced; however, many of the southern states of Germany had issues with this reform and pushed for the transition towards wind energy.  Not only did more farms become available to subsidies but the federal government agreed to replace old turbines with new ones.  Unfortunately these changes do not benefit everyone.  Because of the increased subsidies the German people pay extremely high energy costs.  Germans pay about 31 billion dollars every year on energy.

With new forms of sustainable energy being pursued in Germany it is likely that other European countries will shortly follow.  After this it opens the door to the other continents as well.  This would provide jobs in research and construction hopefully resulting in a boost to the global economy.  Also with the current activities of Russia many countries are attempting to reduce their dependence on Russia and energy is a large dependence many Europeans have.  Not only does this have economic and foreign benefits but it is also very “green.”  With the push towards new energy sources because of the harm burning fossil fuels causes to the environment it seems likely that wind energy becomes essential in the near future. 

~ Cameron Strapp 

America's Energy Need

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     This article addresses the issue of the great dependance our nation has of foreign oil. 56% of the United States' oil is imported and by 2025 that number will increase to 68%. To increase our domestic supply, the

U.S should search for new areas to drill. Alaska and offshore drilling areas should be looked into to increase domestic oil. This will decrease our need on imported oil from foreign nations, many of whom do not have the best of relationships with the United States.

     Thanks to developments in modern technology, we can drill for oil and have less of an impact on the environment. Tracts of land used for drilling now have been reduced to about the size of a small city airport but maintain the same amount of oil collected. Also, air pollution has decreased 54% due to the increasing efforts of burning coal more efficiently and cleanly by capturing and removing green house gas emissions and pollutants. The department of energy is focusing on a project called FutureGen, a $950 million initiative to build the world's first coal-fired electricity generating plant that emits no pollution through a process called carbon sequestration. FutureGen would also produce hydrogen which will hopefully replace petrolium used in automitves. Nuclear Power Plants will also begin to be developed for the first time since 1970 and will increase the amount of electricity produced without any type of pollution production or harmful gas emissions.

     

    The article then goes on to explain the benefits of energy conservation and how the Department of Energy is encouraging homeowners to choose “Energy Star” rated homes and appliances. Simply turning off the lights in a room when it is not in use and unplugging appliances can help save money as well as energy. 

~  Samuel Conrad