NT1310 Unit 7: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution

1. Greatly increased production of domestic oil and natural gas in the United States over the next two decades will affect the country’s future use of coal, nuclear power, and energy from the sun and wind because we will have to start using different forms of energy other than natural gas and oil. We are constantly using natural gas and oil because the demand is growing. As the demand grows, so does the use of these energy forms. Also, our environment is being degraded by this constant use of natural gas and oil. The process of getting these energy forms in our hands is polluting our waters because to extract it, you need water. However, polluted wastewater is created as a result. During the next 20 years, I believe that we will still have

enough resources for the human population but the amount will be much lower and more people will realize that they need to start conserving, including myself. I will need to cut back on using these resources and start thinking of new ways to get energy since my environment will be extremely degraded.

2.

Governments should give a high priority to net energy yields when deciding what energy resources to support because when the net energy yield is low, more time and money will need to be used for the resource. Valuable money will be wasted when energy resources have low yields. There are negative consequences to our environment that need to be considered as other factors and this is why the government needs to think logically when choosing energy resources to use. They have to keep in mind that any resource they choose could have the potential to degrade the environment. If they take risks, they need to realize that environment is going to feel the damage. The resources that harm the environment in any way should not be chosen for

usage.

3. I think that it would be extremely difficult to add to global oil reserves the equivalent of one new Saudi Arabian reserve every 7 years because in the future not nearly as many reserves will be discovered. Failure to find such supplies will have a negative impact on my life and on the lives of any child and grandchild I might have because we will need to start searching for other energy sources to use. An example would be install solar panels so we can obtain solar energy. My family’s use of conventional oil will have to majorly be reduced and as a result, sacrifices might have to be made.

4. The first step I could take to reduce my dependence on oil and gas, would be to drive my car less and start riding my bike or walking places that are closer. The second step would be to buy more food from my local farm in Wayne. Locally made/grown food is very beneficial to the environment the food does not need to be transported which wastes valuable resources. The last step would be to stop purchasing as many plastic materials and products because oil is used to make some of them.

5. My view on this issue is that I oppose both of these options because they involve environmentally harmful processes. Canadian oil produced from tar sands harms our air, climate, water, and even our biodiversity. Forests become destroyed, rivers become diverted, and wetlands are completed drained. Developing unconventional oil from shale rock harms our world as well. Firstly, it uses an unnecessary abundant amount of energy. Secondly, it can produce up to 52 percent more carbon dioxide compared to conventional crude oil. Lastly, it pollutes our bodies of water which can become a serious problem for our environment.

6. a. I agree that we need to find and develop more domestic supplies of conventional crude oil because we need all of the oil we can get in the US. I think that it’s better for it to be extracted in our country instead of getting imported to our country because jobs will be established. These jobs will allow workers to support themselves and their families.
b. I agree with placing a heavy federal tax on gasoline and imported oil to help reduce the consumption of crude oil resources and to encourage use of other alternatives because make me drive less since I will not want to pay for gas in my car. This will be good because driving less will pollute the environment less too.
c.

I disagree with increasing dependence on coal because if the use of coal becomes greater, more carbon dioxide will be present in the air we breathe. This can be detrimental to human health.

d. I agree with the idea to phase out the use of coal by 2050. We need to be focused on using other energy resources that do not harm the environment. We need to stop constantly relying on coal.

e. I disagree with increasing dependence of nuclear power because getting rid of nuclear wastes is extremely difficult and has the potential to harm our environment as well.

f. I agree with the idea to phase out all nuclear power plants because it will be more efficient to use different kinds of resources. Relying on solar energy could be a better option in order to preserve our environment.

7. a. I agree with the proposal to provide a new round of large government subsidies and loan guarantees in order to reduce the dependence on imported oil and slow down projected climate change because we need to start using less oil overall and climate change is a serious issue occurring in our environment that needs to be stopped. This proposal will help with both of those

issues.
B. I disagree with the proposal to prevent the public from participating in hearings on the licensing of new nuclear power plants and on safety issues at the nation’s nuclear reactors because the public should be taught about nuclear power plants. They need to be aware of the new nuclear power plants that will now be in their environment and how their health could potentially be affected. It would be unethical not to educate the public on these power plants.
c. If the proposed new nuclear power plants have more positive impacts than negative impacts, than electric utility companies should be allowed to charge consumers for some of the costs. However, if there are more negative impacts, than electric utility companies shouldn’t be allowed to charge consumers for some of the costs. Also, consumers need to be notified that they are paying extra money for the power plants.
d. I agree that federal subsidies should be greatly increased for developing nuclear fusion if this energy source will be beneficial to our environment. The environment needs to be our key focus and if we have to spend money to keep it preserved, then that is what needs to be done.

8. I do not believe that US oil companies should continues to receive these subsidies and tax breaks because they are making way too much money that is not deserved. They are also receiving tax breaks when these types of companies are degrading our environment. These subsidies and tax breaks are not necessary because oil companies all over the country can make a gigantic amount of money without them. Ultimately, the subsidies and tax breaks should be given to other companies that are not associated with oil and that are not already prosperous and wealthy companies.