Imagine you have just been named Energy Czar for the U.S. with complete authority to design and implement a national energy management strategy for the next 50 years. Your goals are to satisfy the functions for which we use energy in the U.S. at a reasonable cost over the long-run, taking into consideration social and environmental consequences of energy production and use. You might also consider the concepts in the proposed Green New Deal. Your post must propose a clear energy strategy, however, not just say you want to follow or oppose energy components of the Green New Deal.
Based on your reading of Chapters 9 and 10, describe the key elements of your strategy and explain why you chose that approach. Your strategy must reflect that you read and understand the material in the book.
For maximum credit for this discussion, you must write your main strategy post no later than the end of the first week of the discussion period, then read the other posts, and post a comment on one saying whether you think that strategy would or would not work in the area you are from (or know best) and why. Post your reply comment by the end of the discussion period.
In your main strategy post, first describe your strategy, then
explain why you chose that approach and finally
comment on what would have to happen to implement your strategy and how likely you think that would be.
Read other posts and give a thoughtful response to at least one other post. Your response comment should say whether you think that strategy would or would not work in the area you are from (or know best) and why.
Chapter 9 covers nonrenewable energy, including fossil fuels and nuclear energy. These types of energy come from resources that took millions of years to form. They are considered nonrenewable because we are using them at a rate so much faster than they can be replenished. Chapter 9 describes the science of how fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are formed, how the energy is stored in chemical bonds, and how we transform the stored energy to the forms we use to power our vehicles and provide electricity.
Chapter 10 discusses renewable energy sources and technologies, including solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal energy.
Both chapters present environmental and social issues related to energy production and use and discuss how individuals and groups can work toward sustainability in energy use.
