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Danielle Kvadas
Mrs. DeBock
9 November 2016
English 4 Honors
Service Research Paper
Renewable energy is an energy source produced from natural resources in various forms such
as the sun, wind and rain. Innovations in the energy conservation field created new opportunities
to form a better environment. With prices unable to remain constant and environmental worries
growing , alternative energy options are becoming prominent. The discovery of practical
renewable energy sources will decrease the amount of fossil fuels used, give the economy a
stable energy source, and create jobs.
Fossil fuels lack security and are unreliable. Fossil fuels not only damage the environment
but also are limited. With oil supplies continuing to vanish, renewable energy has become a new
alternative. Coal, a main component in fossil fuels is carbon based (Riley). According to Dohn
Riley, Burning coal currently accounts for 43% of all annual global carbon emissions, about 2.7
billion tons. Therefore, the burning of coal puts humans at risk of toxins which can lead to
significant health issues. Natural gas such as methane can and will run out eventually. The
United States has 3.5 percent of the worlds natural gas reserves, resulting in about 65 years
worth until the gas is spent (Riley). With natural gas consumption on the rise, it can be just as
dangerous as oil or coal. All in all, fossil fuels will expire. New laws must be put in place to
regulate the fossil fuels left and produce a cleaner environment.The CAFE which is defined as
Corporate Average Fuel Economy, sets of laws that control the fuel economy are in need of
modernization and is the first step in bettering the environment and limiting fossil fuels. CAFE

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is important because it has cut 913 million barrels of oil annually (Claybrook). While these sets
of laws have improved the American economy immensely, the progression in technology is far
more advanced. Research has shown that Americans do want CAFE to be amended, especially
in regards to cars acquiring better gas mileage. It is believed that the update of these laws will
improve the fuel economy (Claybrook). With the fuel economy improved, less focus is directed
towards fossil fuels. Renewable energy is an important factor in todays society and has evolved
into a necessity with the limitations fossil fuels possess.
Renewable energy will create a reliable energy source to stabilize the economy. Natural gas,
coal, oil and nuclear energy can ruin millions of lives. These fossil fuels are not only harming the
environment but also people. Dependence on foreign countries to supply such fuels impacts the
United States negatively because the countries whom all have different forms of government are
always in turmoil and are unpredictable (Union of Concerned Scientists). Luckily, alternative
options such as solar, hydrogen, and wind to replace fossil fuels while protecting the
environment are available. If investment occurs today, changes in the future are foreseeable. It
all starts with the decisions made now. If the concentration was directed towards the energy had
rather than what is not available solutions would be easier to find. While the economy benefits
from renewable energy through stabilization, it is also rewarded by the collection of taxes on
homeowners renewable energy projects (Union of Concerned Scientists). With the economy
benefiting greatly as a result of renewable energy, solar systems are on the rise. A popular solar
harnessing innovation is rooftop solar where the solar panels are laid flush to the roof (Higgins).
These roof top systems are more common and have an appealing, clean look to them. With solar
technology evolving the possibilities of creating a more stable energy source is practical and an
advantage for the economy. Solar systems secure the economy with tax incentives and other

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rebates which are designed in hopes of grabbing consumers attention. Buildings, whom use
about 40 percent of the United States energy are the perfect candidates for solar energy
(Higgins). Higgins explained, Congress uses tax incentives to encourage consumers and
businesses to install solar and other alternative energy systems. These inducements have played a
major role in helping build the solar and other alternative-energy industries. Recent studies have
calculated about 40 percent of the United States energy usage is possessed by buildings,
specifically the electricity (Moore). Action must be taken to improve the energy consumption.
Business owners and residents must work in unison to better each carbon footprint through
means of using energy efficient appliances to weathering homes. Renewable energy is interesting
in the fact that oils demand increases prices whereas renewables demand decreases price
(Moore). Comprehending the idea of renewable energy and all of the advantages associated will
not only aid the energy crisis but also help the economy. Finding secure energy resources such
as solar power and wind power will provide a safety net for the United States.
Renewable energy is not only the most secure option, but it also benefits the economy and
creates new job opportunities. Solar panels alone have contributed hundreds and thousands of
jobs, varying from pv solar designers to installers. With vast amount of new products being
manufactured and distributed every day, the need for workers is increasing (Brown). The growth
of the renewable energy industry is benefitting the economy immensely. When states cut down
on the amount of fossil fuels used, less money is needed to be spent on transporting the fuels
(Brown). Renewable also can affect energy prices positively by giving the prices stability.
Renewable energy allows prices to be at a set rate regardless of the demand for oil and other
fuels. According to Bezdek, ...the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry couldin a
crash effortgenerate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the United States and create 40 million

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new jobs by the year 2030. Not only is the economy profiting, but the jobs created from the
renewable energy fields are growing at a rapid rate. These jobs are believed to be extremely
difficult to outsource.
Renewable energy has been growing with the disadvantages associated with fossil fuels and
carries a substantial amount of benefits including creating jobs and stabilizing the economy.
Energy efficiency is a real and practical solution to the energy crisis. Vast sources of renewable
energy, are sitting idle, waiting to be used. If no move is made to take advantage of renewable
energy there will be serious consequences. The discovery of practical renewable energy sources
will decrease the amount of fossil fuels used, give the economy a stable energy source, and
create jobs.

Works Cited
Bezdek, Roger. "Renewable Energy Is Economically Beneficial." Renewable Energy, edited by
Jacqueline Langwith, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 10 Nov. 2016. Originally published in Renewable

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Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century, Management
Information Services, Inc. for the American Solar Energy Society, 2007.

Brown, Lester R. "Using Renewable Energy Will Help Conserve the Environment." Conserving
the Environment. Ed. Debra Miller, John Woodward, and Jennifer L. Skancke. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2006. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Turning on: Renewable
Energy." Mother Earth News (2004): 100. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct.
2016.

Claybrook, Joan. "Fuel Efficiency Standards Should Be Raised." Oil. Ed. Andrea C. Nakaya.
Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "testimony before the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation." 2002. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

Higgins, James M. "The Looming Energy Crisis Creates Opportunities for Solar Power." The
Energy Crisis. Ed. Lisa Krueger. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from
"Your Solar-Powered Future."The Futurist 43.3 (2009): 25-29. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
\
Moore, Michelle. "There Would Be No Energy Crisis If the World Consumed Energy
Efficiently." The Energy Crisis. Ed. Lisa Krueger. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At
Issue. Rpt. from "To Drill or Not to Drill Is Not the Question." The Christian Science
Monitor (6 Oct. 2008). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

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Riley, Dohn. "Renewable Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Are Necessary." Is the World Heading
Toward an Energy Crisis? Ed. Daniel A. Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. At
Issue. Rpt. from "The Coming Energy Crisis." Infinite Energy (2000). Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

Union of Concerned Scientists. "America's Energy Security Depends on Developing Energy

Alternatives."Energy Security: Solutions to Protect America's Power Supply and Reduce
Oil Dependence. Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2002. Rpt. in What
Energy Sources Should Be Pursued? Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,
2005. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.