How Can the U.S. Lessen its Dependence on Fossil Fuels?

Americans rely heavily on fossil fuels. Coal, oil and natural gas are used on a large scale by both the general population, as well as U.S. industry, as a primary source of energy. Fossil fuels are formed in the Earth over time, technically making them renewable resources. However, because their formation may take many millions of years, they are (for all intents and purposes) non-renewable for the current consumer. Industry experts have therefore recommended that the U.S. find ways to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and find alternative energy resources such as biofuels. As such, consumers should look to other non-fossil fuel alternatives, such as biodiesel, solar and wood to provide the energy that Americans need.

The growing consumption levels of fossil fuel in the United States are cause for significant concern. While the population of the U.S. represents less than five percent of the global population, Americans alone use approximately twenty-five percent of the entire world’s fossil fuel resources, including coal, oil and natural gas (“State of Consumption”, 2014). Further, in a study conducted in 2003, there were more registered vehicles in the United States than there were licensed drivers available to operate them, with large, fuel-inefficient sport utility vehicles being the most common car owned in American households (“State of Consumption”, 2014). At the same time, the square footage of homes in the U.S. continues to grow, even as the number of family members living in them continues to shrink, as Americans have fewer children than ever before (“State of Consumption”, 2014). If this level of consumption continues along the current path, the nation is at a growing risk of depleting all available fossil fuel resources. There are, however, several viable alternatives to fossil fuels.

The first alternative to fossil fuel is biodiesel fuel. As consumers become increasingly conscious of the nation’s level of dependence on fossil fuels, as well as other environmental issues, biodiesel fuel has emerged as a viable replacement for traditional diesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is comprised of a “mix of feed stocks, including recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats” (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). This fuel is also gaining in popularity because it does not require any type of conversion or modification to conventional diesel engines, does not invalidate any motor vehicle warranties, nor does it adversely affect a vehicle’s performance (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). Drivers may make the transition to this alternative fuel with little effort. In fact, the only effects from biodiesel fuel are encouraging ones. Biodiesel fuel reduces greenhouse emissions and has a positive overall impact on the environment (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). In examining the issue of fossil fuel dependence, most notably biodiesel fuel is readily available to the American consumer, with manufacturing plants in nearly every state across the nation (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). While the fuel has only been produced on a commercial scale for nearly ten years, biodiesel fuel has demonstrated remarkable production growth (nearly 400%) during that time (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). It is far more prevalent in the United States than ever before. Current industry projections place biodiesel fuel providing ten percent of this nation’s fuel needs by 2022 (“Biodiesel Basics”, n.d.). This effort alone would reduce the U.S.’s level of dependence on fossil fuels. However, there are additional alternatives that are worthy of exploration.

Another alternative to fossil fuel is realized in solar power. Through countless hours of research and development, engineers have created a system that effectively replaces coal as a form of energy. Over-sized mirrors are used to concentrate solar power’s energy in order to heat water to the boiling point, and then use it to operate a steam turbine which generates electricity (“Solar Power”, n.d.). This electricity powers homes and businesses throughout the country. However, unlike fossil fuel, solar power is completely and instantly renewable, with a limitless supply from the sun (“Solar Power”, n.d.). According to scientists, “every hour that the sun beams onto Earth is more than enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year” (“Solar Power”, n.d.). Over the past fifteen years, solar energy has experienced a surge in popularity (not unlike the alternative biodiesel fuel), with solar energy usage growing approximately twenty percent each year (“Solar Power”, n.d.). While this power still produces a very small fraction of the world’s energy, the future of this alternative fuel source remains very bright.

A third alternative to fossil fuel can be found in good, old-fashioned wood. As heating costs continue to rise, more homeowners (particularly those in northern states) seek alternative fuel sources to heat their homes. Many have found the solution in wood. According to the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, wood is significantly cheaper than heating oil, or even propane gas (qtd. in Simet, 2014). A growing number of homes across the country have installed boiler heating systems, which use wood as its fuel source (Simet, 2014). Also in line with the growth curve for other non-fossil fuels, wood has experienced a surge within the past decade, and particularly this year with the extreme cold temperatures in various parts of the country (Simet, 2014). In fact, many manufacturing plants have sold out of their supplies for this year (Simet, 2014). While wood is not as quickly renewable as some other alternative fuel sources, given the vast landscape of the United States, wood presents a more attractive alternative than fossil fuels for heating American homes in the winter.

If the current levels of fossil fuel consumption continue to go unchecked, the United States runs a significant risk of someday depleting all available fuel resources. Between now and that time, consumers will also face increased costs and other challenges related to their consumption. However, with the introduction of alternative fuel sources, such as biodiesel fuel, solar power, and wood, the nation stands to realize benefits from pursuing these sources of energy. The supply is renewable and the cost is less, making them attractive solutions for the consumer in every way.

References

Biodiesel Basics. (n.d.). Biodiesel. Retrieved from http://www.biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics

Simet, A. (2014, February 7). Wood pellets a hot commodity across U.S. Biomass Magazine. Retrieved from http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9998/wood-pellets-a-hot-commodity-across-u-s

Solar Energy. (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power-profile/

The State of Consumption Today. (2014, February 10). Worldwatch Institute. Retrieved from http://www.worldwatch.org/node/810