Energy

Background

Once Americans used wood, animals, and people power for energy 



Today, 87% of the nation’s energy comes from coal, oil, and natural gas. 





Americans continue to search for new and more efficient sources of energy to increase supplies and to reduce pollution.



 Most of the research on energy sources and efficiencies comes from the government in Washington D.C.

**Types of Fuel **




 * Coal **is America’s most abundant fuel. 90% of the country’s energy resources are in coal deposits. However, it is the dirtiest because it contributes to global warming, smog, and “black lung” health hazards.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Oil ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">is a nonrenewable resource, but Americans run on oil because it powers cars, trucks, planes, and politics. The United States does not have a large collection of fuel, but the Nations of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have 80% of the world’s reserves.




 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Nuclear Power ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">could be used. However, the United States have not built new nuclear plants since 1978 because of skepticism due to huge cost overruns and accidents (Three Mile Island and Chernobyl).



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wind Energy ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">generated 35,000 megawatts of energy in the United States, making the United States the world leader in wind power usage. 1.9% of electricity is generated by wind power.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Solar Energy** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">has been predicted to generate 10-15% of the nation's energy because of the 30% solar credit. However, it currently only accounts for 0.1% of electricity generation.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The United States is a large fuel consumer because it consumes more than a quarter of the world’s annual oil imports although it only has 4% of the world’s population. Therefore, it is important the United States spent time implementing the most effective energy policy. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Efficient energy usage is important because of global warming, which is <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes). <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The United States is the leading producer of carbon dioxide. 23% of the entire world’s carbon dioxide is generated in the United States but is working to combat the problems of global warming.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are burned, they produce carbon dioxide. Along smaller quantities of methane and other gases, the carbon dioxide collects in the atmosphere and wraps the Earth in a layer of insulation. This contributes to the “greenhouse effect”, where energy from the sun is trapped under the atmosphere and warms the Earth.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Many scientists have found that Earth will be warmer by two to six degrees by 2100. Scientists predict the consequences include rising seas, severe droughts, rainstorms, heat waves, and floods.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">History of Policymaking

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The United States has made big leaps in energy policy. The time line below shows when various policies were implemented and also offers a brief summary (click on the event to read).

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the Colonial Era, timber was freely used for heating and industry until the 19th century, when coal was utilized. Natural gas became pedestrian in 1973. To regulate the usage of resources, the energy policy of the United States is determined by federal, state, local, and public governments. These governments address problems of energy production, distribution, consumption by implementing legislature, international treaties, subsidies, incentives, and guidelines for energy conservation and taxation.

Several mandates have been proposed over the years such as "gasoline will never exceed $1.00/gallon" (Nixon) and "the United States will never again import as much oil as it did in 1977" (Carter). However, no comprehensive long term energy policy have been implemented.

In 1997, nations met in Kyoto, Japan and agreed to require 38 nations to reduce their emissions of greenhouses gases by 2010. However, the United States did not partake in the agreement because of the large amounts of money needed to cut down the usage of greenhouse gases. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The United States resisted endorsing the Kyoto Protocol (prefer the market to drive down carbon dioxide reductions), but President Obama has proposed many reforms including a cap and trade program to encourage renewable energy development.

Policies that have been currently enacted include the Energy Policy Acts (1992, 2005, 2007) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009).

Although there is gridlock in Washington politics about global warming, states try to combat this problem. For example, Texas and New Jersey have passed major state last to reduce their states’ reliance one energy.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Legislative, Executive, Judicial Policymaking Actions and Interrelated Activities of the Three Branches

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">__**Energy**__:



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Executive**: the President and the Cabinet proposes energy-related legislation to the Legislative Branch. The Executive Branch also carries out the energy laws made by the legislature, with the Department of Energy playing an important role.

Example: Nixon proclaimed gasoline prices would never exceed $1.00.


 * Legislative**: the Legislative Branch represents the interests of its constituents, putting energy legislation into action. Lately, many environmental friendly energy legislation has been passed because the constituents are strong supporters of helping the environment.

Example: Congress passing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act


 * Judicial**: the Judicial Branch hears cases about laws relating to energy, deciding how the law should be interpreted. The courts also set precedents for future cases when a new energy law court case comes up through the apellate system.

Example: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[|**Wagnon v. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation**] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN;">When a State taxes receipt of fuel by non-tribal, off-reservation distributors, manufacturers, and importers, should the //White Mountain Apache v. Bracker// interest-balancing test apply if the fuel is later sold by an Indian tribe? <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Kansas’ motor tax is a nondiscriminatory tax imposed on an off-reservation between non-Indians, therefore the tax is valid. When a State taxes receipt of fuel by non-tribal, off-reservation distributors, manufacturers, and importers, should the //White Mountain Apache v. Bracker// interest-balancing test apply if the fuel is later sold by an Indian tribe?

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Role of Non-Governmental Groups on Energy Policy

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Interest group is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Special interest groups dealing with Energy include :

__<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Energy Advocates** __ A group formed in 1974 whose aim is to make America energy dependent. The group believes that "Nothing Moves Without Energy" <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This group is a coalition of citizens and scientists devoted to making a healthier environment and a safer world. UCS combines research and citizen action to develop solutions in government policy. __**Set America Free**__ The goal of this group is to cut dependence on foreign fuel and educate people about the danger of dependence on foreign fuel, increase public demand for and use of flexible fuel vehicles, and support policy solutions and increase fuel choice.
 * __Clean Energy Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists__**

In general interest groups educate their constituents and the public. Often they lobby politicians to support their goal. Characteristics of energy related policy include:

o Environmental concerns often conflict with concerns over foreign trade, economic growth, and jobs. Those who generate pollution to make cars, produce electricity, and provide food and consumer products for the American people. o Interest groups dealing with environmentalism sparked in 1960s and 1970s. The National Wildlife Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund have more than a million members. The Sierra Club, Greenpeace, National Audubon Society, and Natural Resources Defense Council have over half a million members. o Despite the number of interest groups, not everyone likes environmentalist because Congress must deal with more pressing issues such as terrorism first. Therefore, there is “an uncertain road ahead” for environmental groups. o No interest groups announce they are opposed to a clean environment. Most interest groups oppose self proclaimed environmentalists or tree huggers because they believe environmental regulations should be a part of the policymaking project.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Political Cartoons

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Political Cartoons included in 1:55 video. To read text: right click video and go under zoom: full screen.

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<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Current Status of Policy Decisions



<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">President Obama believes the United States needs to harness clean and renewable energy so people can be put back to work, increase global warming, increase the United States' energy independence, and keep the country safe. He believes the solution should include:

1. Creating a future where alternative and renewable energy sources will be embraced, thus ending addiction to foregin oil and the climate crisis and create new jobs that won't be given to those overseas. 2. Investing in clean and renewable energy such as solar, wind, biofuels, and geothermal power so 25% of the energy will be generated from renewable sources by 2025. 3. Fighting climate change by investing in energy efficiency and conversation to decrease pollution and drive down demand.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Many pieces of legislation have been implemented in Congress, examples include:

· March 24, 2010: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Sponsor: Rep. James McGovern [D-MA] · Cosponsors: <span class="wiki_link_ext">Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4 ], <span class="wiki_link_ext">Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1 ], <span class="wiki_link_ext">Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2 ] · Bill would remove the exclusive authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny an application for the sitting, construction, expansion, or operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal located ashore or in state waters
 * __H.R. 4922: To Amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to Repeal a Section of that Act Relating to Exportation or Importation of Natural Gas__**

· Sponsor: Grace Napolitano (D-CA) · Introduced December 16, 2009 · March 18, 2010: Subcommittee Hearings Held · Bill is in the first step in the legislative process · Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate and revise before they go to general debate. Majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee. · Amends the Hoover Power Act of 1984 (HPPA) to allocate and expand the availability of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam
 * __H.R. 4349 Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009__**

· Sponsor: Herbert Kohl (D-WI) · Introduced December 18, 2009 · March 11, 2010: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources · Amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary of Energy to publish a final rule that establishes a uniform efficiently descriptor and accompanying test methods and for other purposes
 * __S. 2908: Weather Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2009__**

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes more than $80 billion in clean energy investments in hopes they will boost the economy and build clean energy jobs. In order to achieve this plan: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">---PRIOR TO OBAMA <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Financial Bailout Bill, H.R. 1424 __** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**__Solar America Initiative__** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Cap and Trade __** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The fuel economy standards will be increased for cars and trucks of 2011 to increase mileage, save money, and help companies develop more innovative products.
 * __American Recovery and Reinvestment Act__**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$11 billion dollars will be spent provide rural places with the same level of renewable energy as urban areas. 40 millions mart meters will be deployed in American homes.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$5 billion will be spent on low-income home weatherization projects.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$4.5 billion will be given to green federal buildings and cut energy bills, thus saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$6.3 billion will be given to state and local communities to strengthen rewneable energy and energy efficient efforts.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$2 billion will be spent on grants in order to develop newer batteries to store energy
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Federal tax credit for solar energy
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Will create 440,000 jobs, 28 gigawatts of solar power, and a $300 bilion investment in solar energy
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Program created by the Department of Energy
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Invest $17.6 million on solar energy
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Method to limit global warming
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Federal budget: clean energy development with 10 year investment of $15 billion per year
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">America Clean Energy and Security act, H.R. 2545

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Analysis of Current Policy

**__<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">American Recovery and Reinvestment Act __**

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Economists believe the bill will provide a short term boost to the macro-economy and improve GP and employment.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the long run, the debt created will become a burden and a drag on the economy and must be dealt with.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">__**S. 1696 Green Gaming Act of 2009**__ <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Further improvements for energy policy would include making laws targeting devices that people use everyday such as ipods and mp3 players to make them more energy efficient.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Roughly 40% of homes in the U.S. have at least one video game console
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Consoles vary in energy usage, the Nintendo Wii uses 20 watts but the PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360 consumes seven times as much as energy depending on the model purchased
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Consoles consume as much or more power as high end computers except video game consoles do not automatically go to sleep and enter into a low power model.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If a XBOX or PS3 is left on continuously, the energy output is similar to two new refrigerators.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Therefore, policy is a good idea to save energy

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Impact of Policymaking on American Public

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Because of its ubiquity, energy plays an important role in the lives of most everyday Americans. As a result, many policies have been implemented. These policies increase the share of efficient energy devices used because the government has given rebates and incentives in the form of tax cuts. In addition, these policies have limitied the amount of fossil fuels being burned, which in turn helps our environment and reduces the amount fo carbon dioxide released by emphasizing the usage of more energy efficient methods. By implementing policy, the government has increased for example the amount of solar energy used.

Works Cited

"<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">AnalysAnalysis of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." //NewAmerica.net//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/analysis_american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act>.

Bryant, Dennis. Web log post. //House – Bill Introduced Re Authorization of LNG Import Terminals//. 26 Mar. 2010. Web. 3 Apr. 2010. <http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2010_03_26_archive.html>.

Burt, Lane. "Energy Efficiency: Can It Be a Common Ground? : Greentech Media." //Green Technology | Cleantech | Green Energy - News, Research, & Resources//. Green Technology Enterprise, 17 Mar. 2010. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/energy-efficiency-can-it-be-a-common-ground/>.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">"Directory - Society Issues Environment Energy Activism." //Google//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">//<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Energy Advocates //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.energyadvocates.net/pageAbout.cfm>. <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">Obama, -President. "Energy & Environment." //The White House//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. []. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">.

"H.R. 4349: Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009 (GovTrack.us)." //GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress//. GovTrack. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4349>.

"H.R.2938: To Extend the Deadline for Commencement of Construction of a Hydroelectric Project. - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. OpenCongress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2938/show>.

"H.R.4349: Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. Open Congress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4349/show>.

"H.R.4399: American Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Act - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. Open Congress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4399/show>.

"H.R.4922: To Amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to Repeal a Section of That Act Relating to Exportation Or... OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. Open Congress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4922/show>.

Obama, -President. "Energy & Environment." //The White House//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/energy-and-environment>. <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">"Search Results." //THOMAS (Library of Congress)//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. [].

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"S.1696: Green Gaming Act of 2009 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. Open Congress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1696/show>.

"S.2908: Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2009 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress." //OpenCongress - Track Bills, Votes, Senators, and Representatives in the U.S. Congress//. Open Congress. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s2908/show>."WashingtonWatch.com -

H.R. 4349, The Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009." //WashingtonWatch.com - Welcome to WashingtonWatch.com//. Washington Watch. Web. 03 Apr. 2010. <span class="wiki_link_ext"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">http://washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_4349.html

<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">"U.S. Wind Energy Industry Installs Over 1,600 MW in Third Quarter." //American Wind Energy Association//. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. [].