Energy

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media type="youtube" key="05CJ2R88AZM" height="344" width="425" This is an interesting video on some renewable energy sources that could see more funding towards them in the near future.

Miles, Emy Leo, Audrey

An energy policy is the way a government addresses issues regarding energy such as production, dispersion, and the use of it. ([|Wikipedia]) We have an energy policy to set our priorities straight on energy issues and to help keep America up and running.     The main problem with energy right now is that we use oil for power, and oil is running out at an unbelievable rate. On top of that, the demand for oil has increased, so it is more expensive, and since people don’t want to pay an astronomical sum for gas money, new kinds of energy are emerging from the shadows ([|members]).  Americans not only need to fuel their cars but they need energy to operate their homes. In addition to personal use, large manufacturing corporations use large amounts of energy. This leads to large amounts of pollution. ([|NYT])
 * Energy! **

== I. What is the issue? ==

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">The energy policy involves the government addressing energy issues such as distribution and consumption, energy production and energy development. ([|Wikipedia]) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">With oil prices recently reaching over $100 a barrel, forcing gas prices to rise, Americans are looking for a change, whether it is more offshore drilling in the U.S. or increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy sources. ([|Boston]) Paying $5oo billion for oil overseas is raising gas prices and is forcing families to cut back on spending and put more money toward gas. ([|Brookings]) Also, rising oil prices affects the economy, lowering income and raising everyday prices. ([|Heritage]) <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Most Americans generate their home heating and air conditioning from nuclear fusion. Since nuclear fusion is powered from oil/propane, Americans are currently paying more for their electricity. There are many American families that will not be able to have electricity if the oil prices keep rising at this rate. (Checkthemarkets) In 2005, to help the suffering energy policy, the Energy Department passed the Energy Policy Act to increase funding in alternative fuel and clean energy sources, but it will take time to change the way America uses energy ([|Energy Department]). “America is addicted to oil," that is what the Washington Post recorded from President Bush when he made his State of the Union Address Speech. ([|Washington Post]) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/31/AR2006013101468.html)

==<span style="DISPLAY: block; COLOR: #fe0606; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">II. What are the specific policies being discussed in the campaign? ==

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> **-Pollution-** Major manufacturing plants are using such large quantities of energy, oil, that there are large quantities of fumes and exhaust being given off into the air. The exhaust is polluting the air more and more each day, which is contributing to Global warming. (cleanerandgreener) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">**Energy policy-**“ <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">the manner in which a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of [|energy development]  including  [|energy production] ,  [|distribution]  and  [|consumption]  .”(dictionary.com)  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> ·   <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Goudy Old Style','serif'">Global warming and air pollution: Our energy sources release an enormous amount of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, most people agree this needs to stop. ([|umich]) ·  <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Goudy Old Style','serif'">Green and efficient power: We release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, people think it should stop etc., but our new energy sources have to be efficient as well. (why green energy) ·  <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Goudy Old Style','serif'">Nuclear power: Provides lots of electricity, but extremely dangerous nuclear waste still needs to be disposed of. ([|time for change]) ·  <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Goudy Old Style','serif'">Ethanol: Cost effective and releases no gasses whatsoever, but to make and manufacture, however, is something else… ([|yahoo]) ·  <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Goudy Old Style','serif'">Wind and solar power: Wind provides lots of energy and is clean, green. Anything and everything you could want, apart for cost effective, and on top of that, power production depends on how much wind there is ([|associated content]). <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">**Using alternative and renewable energy sources** to reduce America’s addiction to oil and the effects of global warming (Bernama).
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">**The raise in gas prices:** Gas prices have been increasingly rising throughout the past year. In America, overall the passenger vehicles are consuming an average of six million barrels of oil per day. (Scienceinafrica) <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf around the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico ([|USA Today], [|McCain], [|American Progress]).

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">g

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Several kinds of renewable energy <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">

==<span style="DISPLAY: block; COLOR: #fe1616; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">III. What are McCain and Obama's positions on the issue? ==

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> The presidential candidates have different opinions on these topics. One of the topics that the candidates agree on is offshore drilling. Both of the candidates agree, but they agree on different levels, and have different plans. Obama’s approach to offshore drilling is to only drill if “necessary.” He stated, " I'm willing to consider it if it's necessary to actually pass a comprehensive plan ," (USAToday). John McCain’s approach is more aggressive: He wants to start drilling offshore as soon as possible. He stated, "We have to drill offshore. We have to do this. Oil executives say in a couple years we could be seeing results <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> from it . So why not do it? We need to do it."(Treehugger) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">In addition, Barack Obama and John McCain both support renewable fuels, such as Ethanol technology. <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Obama wants to control our oil addiction in 10 years, McCain thinks it will take17 years. Both agree that our oil addiction needs to stop. (John McCain) (My Barack Obama) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Obama and McCain also agree on opposing drilling in the Arctic.