Alternative Energy Sources

Before examining several of the benefits of American energy independence it is necessary to examine a few of the alternative energy sources. I will qualify my position on these alternatives by saying that I oppose government subsidies for energy development. Subsidies tend to stymie the entrepreneurial spirit and subsidizing one group is always done at the expense of another. I would also note that no major nation in the world relies primarily on these alternative energy sources. Hopefully, in the near future, cleaner, cheaper, and genuinely effective energy sources will be developed. Until that day it is absolutely necessary to use those sources that are effective and readily available.

Bio fuels, especially ethanol, are minimally used alternatives to petroleum-based products. Unfortunately, ethanol has proven to be as great a pollutant as many petroleum products and requires government subsidies. Of greater concern is the use of products that are a source of human and animal food. Inflation of food costs and world hunger issues exacerbate this matter. If the predictions of serious global cooling over the next few decades prove accurate then food supplies will become even more stressed. Non consumable bio fuels obviously do not fall under this category but have yet to prove economically effective.

Solar energy has proven to be minimally cost effective, especially in an area like the one where I live. I shouldn’t complain since we did have sunshine on two different days between October and May. Wind turbines produce limited amounts of electrical power when considering the cost of installation and the amount of area required for multiple turbines. In cold regions, especially along coast lines, icing can cause the units to become much less effective.

I don’t wish to be a naysayer when it comes to alternative energy sources. I do, however, want to be realistic. The dangers and costs of energy dependence are too grave and too immediate to live in a dream land of sunshine and lollypops. We must act now with the resources we have if we wish to survive as the great nation we are.

Next article – What are the Benefits of Energy Independence?