Energy Controversy
The Energy Controversy
Both, nuclear energy and the energy used from fossil fuels, have their pros and cons.
However, the United States relies 85 percent of its energy needs on fossil fuels. By the looks of
how we use our energy, fossil fuels will eventually run out. If Americans do not do something
about it, then they may run out soon. In our country, we use up a lot more energy than we have
available to us. Because of this, we need to buy and import resources from other countries to be
able to reach the amount we spend. Though it may be hard for many people to adjust to changes,
I think the nation needs to find a way to conserve the energy we are using. At the same time, we
must find another way to get our energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, and the
availability of them is minimizing. We need to switch to another form of getting our energy that
we can rely on, before we run out of time.
Fossil fuels, also known as mineral fuels, are hydrocarbon-containing natural resources.
This includes resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The use of fossil fuels has fueled
industrial development and largely supplanted water driven mills, as well as the combustion of
wood for heat (Gibson, Diane. Fossil Fuels. Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2002. 11-14).
When generating electricity, energy from the combustion of fossil fuels is often used to power a
turbine. Older generators often used steam generated by the burning of the fuel to turn the
turbine, but in newer power plants the gases produced by burning of the fuel turn a gas turbine
directly. Fossil fuels supply most of the energy consumed today. They are relatively concentrated
and pure energy sources....
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