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Alternative energy
While the search for, improvement of, and use of alternative energy sources may not seem to be the top priority of the United States government, they are, at least, an issue. Think back to the days where coal-burning was the norm. Yes, coal is still used to power many factories and more, but clean-burning natural gas has become the norm.
There are multiple reasons why companies and factories and individuals switched from coal-burning to natural gas. For one, the price used to be cheaper (although, people have stuck with natural gas, even as prices have increased). It is cleaner burning and emits less air pollution. And it actually costs less to build a power plant that runs on gas rather than coal.
Of course, while natural gas once seemed to be the answer to energy problems in the United States, it is no longer is the best answer, and alternative energy sources must be used. There has been a high increase in natural gas prices. This increase in price affects consumers as well as factories who are placed at a disadvantage to foreign competitors. The high prices affect farms, too, and many more.
The government is beginning to understand the high importance of alternative energy. It knows that we need to diversify our electric power sector. The federal government therefore has plans to “reduce the cost of solar photovoltaic technologies so that they become cost-competitive by 2015, and expand access to wind energy through technology.”
This is an important goal because, while solar power is cost-effective in the long run, it is not cost-competitive up-front. While people could easily save money after even just a few years of utilizing solar energy, the upfront cost of purchasing and installing the solar power system is often too much.
And it is also important to note that the government is also interested in wind energy. There is not one alternative energy source that will save the planet! It is important to utilize a variety for the best balance and best assurance of having the energy that we need now and in the future.
For information on the White House’s Advanced Energy Initiative, follow this link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/energy
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