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Encyclopedia > Energy policy of the United States

The Energy policy of the United States is determined by federal, state and local public entities, which address issues of energy production, distribution and consumption. Energy policy may include legislation, international treaties, incentives to investment, guidelines for energy conservation, taxation and other public policy techniques. Energy policy is the manner a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption. ... Legislation (or statutory law) is law which has been promulgated (or enacted) by a legislature or other governing body. ... For the physical concepts, see conservation of energy and energy efficiency. ...

Contents

History

Grand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam

In the Colonial era the energy policy of the United States was for free use of standing timber for heating and industry. In the nineteenth century, it was access to coal and its use for transport, heating and industry. Whales were rendered into lamp oil.[1] Download high resolution version (1024x825, 149 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1024x825, 149 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Whale oil is the oil obtained from the blubber of various species of whales of the genus Balaena, as , Greenland or right whale (northern whale-oil), (southern whale-oil), Balaenoptera longimana, Balaenoptera borealis (Finback oil, Finner whale-oil, Humpback oil). ...


Coal provided the bulk of the US energy needs well into the twentieth century. By 1950, oil consumption exceeded that of coal.[2][3] The abundance of Californian, Texas and Mexican oil, coupled with its low cost, ease of transportation, and use in internal combustion engines, lead to its increasing use. Following World War II, oil heating boilers took over from coal burners in the Eastern Seaboard; diesel locomotives took over from steam engines under dieselisation; oil fired electricity plants were built; oil burning buses replaced electric streetcars, and citizens bought gasoline powered cars. Interstate Highways helped make cars the major personal means of transportation.[4] As oil imports increased, US foreign policy was inexorably drawn into Middle East politics, supporting oil-producing Saudi Arabia and patrolling the sea lanes of the Persian Gulf.[5] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Great Western Railway No. ... A steam engine is a heat engine that makes use of the thermal energy that exists in steam, converting it to mechanical work. ... Dieselisation (British English spelling) or Dieselization (US English spelling) is generally used in the context of rail transportation to refer to the replacement of the steam locomotive with the diesel-electric locomotive, (often referred to as a diesel locomotive,) a process which began in the 1930s and is now substantially... This article is about light rail systems in general. ... A typical rural stretch of Interstate highway, with two lanes in each direction separated by a large grassy median, and with cross-traffic limited to overpasses and underpasses. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ...


Also, hydroelectricity was being generated from major dams like the Jensen Dam, TVA Project and the Grand Coulee Dam. Rural electrification strung power lines to many more areas.[6][7] Hydroelectricity is the worlds leading renewable energy source. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... For the town, see Coulee Dam, Washington. ... Power line redirects here. ...


Oil Crises and the Modern Age

Main article: Oil crisis

The 1973 oil crisis made energy a hot topic in US society, due to rapidly increasing oil prices, lack of house heating resources etc...[8] The Federal Department of Energy was started with steps planned toward energy conservation and more modern energy producers. A National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph (88 km/h) was imposed to help reduce consumption, and Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards were enacted to downsize automobile categories.[9] Year-round Daylight Saving Time was imposed, the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve was created and the National Energy Act of 1978 was introduced. Alternate forms of energy and diversified oil supply resulted.[10] Oil crisis may refer to: 1973 oil crisis 1979 energy crisis 1990 spike in the price of oil Oil price increases of 2004 and 2005 Hubbert peak theory Energy crisis This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... The 1973 oil crisis began in earnest on October 17, 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC, consisting of the Arab members of OPEC plus Egypt and Syria) announced, as a result of the ongoing Yom Kippur War, that they would no longer ship petroleum... The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. ... 55 mph speed limit being erected in response to the National Maximum Speed Law. ... The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations in the United States, first enacted by Congress in 1975,[1] are federal regulations intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks (trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles) sold in the US in the wake of the 1973 Arab... Though DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is an emergency petroleum store maintained by the United States Department of Energy. ... The National Energy Act of 1978 was a legislative response by the U.S. Congress to the 1973 energy crisis. ...


The United States receives 84% of its energy from fossil fuels.[11] This energy is used both for transport, industry, and domestic use. The remaining portion comes primarily from Hydro and Nuclear stations.[12] Americans constitute less than 5% of the world's population, but consume 26% of the world's energy,[13] although having only 3% of the world’s known oil reserves.[14] Map of countries by population —showing the population of the Peoples Republic of China and India, the only two countries to have a population greater than one billion. ... The United States is the worlds largest energy consumer in terms of total use, and ranks 7th on a per-capita basis. ...


There has been talk of converting the nation to a hydrogen economy, where cars and factories are powered by fuel cells.[15] Other plans include to make society carbon neutral and use renewable energy. Things like solar, wind and methane sources have also been proposed. Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4. ...


At essence, the debate is whether we can convert the energy supply to say, for example, 10% hydrogen, 10% solar, 20% wind, 20% fossil/biofuels, 30% nuclear and 10% energy conservation (where with improved technology, the total energy demand is reduced).[citation needed] With a greater use of renewable energy it is possible to removed fossil fuel from the formula.[citation needed] Automobiles, on the other hand, possibly could be powered 30% by grid electricity, 30% by biofuels, 30 % hydrogen and 10% direct solar.[citation needed] Re-design of cities, telecommuting, transit, higher housing density and walking could also reduce automobile fuel consumption and obesity.[neutrality disputed] Carpooling, flexcars, Smart cars, and shorter commutes could all reduce fuel use. For the physical concepts, see conservation of energy and energy efficiency. ... It has been suggested that Nomad Workers be merged into this article or section. ... The word transit, when used alone, has several possible meanings in English means of transport, including mass transit, rapid transit, public transit, public transport Further information: transit (transportation) in astronomy an event involving two bodies along the same line of sight Further information: astronomical transit in navigational position lines when...


It should be noted that between 1950 and 1984, as the Green Revolution transformed agriculture around the globe, world grain production increased by 250%. The energy for the Green Revolution was provided by fossil fuels in the form of fertilizers (natural gas), pesticides (oil), and hydrocarbon fueled irrigation.[16] The peaking of world hydrocarbon production (Peak oil) may test Malthus' critics.[17] The Green Revolution is a term used to describe the transformation of agriculture in many developing nations that led to significant increases in agricultural production between the 1940s and 1960s. ... Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. ... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... the plane is spreading pesticide. ... Oil refineries are key to obtaining hydrocarbons; crude oil is processed through several stages to form desirable hydrocarbons, used in fuel and other commercial products. ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil. ... As first expressed in Hubbert peak theory, peak oil is the point or timeframe at which the maximum global petroleum production rate is reached. ... The Rev. ...


Economics

One of the big problems of renewable energy was economics. With state invested hydro dams, power grid electricity is about 8 cents a kilowatt. It was cheap. The same could be said when gasoline was a dollar a gallon. Funding alternatives like wind or solar, when solar panels cost one dollar per kilowatt, was nonsensical. Today, however, the cost of solar panels and windmills have come down (now about 40 cents/kilowatt) , and the nation's dams and electric grid are ageing and need re-investing in.[18] Available for download at its UNDP site) The deregulation of the electricity markets, New York and California blackouts, and the Enron debacle prove that there are problems. [19] So now with tax breaks for small, de-centralized micro generation, solar panels on roofs, Western deserts, the Great Plains, and micro windmills, the conversion of a portion of the energy supply is feasible. World renewable energy in 2005 (except 2004 data for items marked* or **). Enlarge image to read exclusions. ... Transmission towers Transmission lines in Lund, Sweden Electric power transmission, or more accurately Electrical energy transmission, is the second process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. ... The kilowatt (symbol: kW) is a unit for measuring power, equal to one thousand watts. ... Pitstone Windmill, believed to be the oldest windmill in the British Isles A windmill is an engine powered by the energy of wind. ... Deregulation is the process by which governments remove, reduce, or simplify restrictions on business and individuals in order to (in theory) encourage the efficient operation of markets. ... For other uses, see Blackout (disambiguation). ... Enron Corporation (Former NYSE ticker symbol: ENE) was an American energy company based in Houston, Texas. ... Solar Panel made by BP Solar The solar panels (photovoltaic arrays) on this small yacht at sea can charge the 12 V batteries at up to 9 Amps in full, direct sunlight. ... The Great Plains covers much of the central United States, portions of Canada and Mexico. ... Pitstone Windmill, believed to be the oldest windmill in the British Isles A windmill is an engine powered by the energy of wind. ...


Further Complexity

US coal regions
US coal regions

America is self sufficient in coal[20]. Indeed, it has several hundred years supply of it[21][22]. America could get a large portion of its oil from coal if so desired. (see Fischer-Tropsch process)[23] Most electricity in the US is generated from coal plants. Alas, coal is quixotic. It is fantastically cheap, yet it comes at a price of pollution. Download high resolution version (1283x798, 47 KB)United States coal regions with provinces shown. ... Download high resolution version (1283x798, 47 KB)United States coal regions with provinces shown. ... // The Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. ... Quixotism (IPA: [ˈkwɪksəˌtɪzm]) is the description of a person or an act that is caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals. ...


Nuclear power plants were also built to reduce dependence on oil imports. However, as the crisis ended and interest in the topic declined, many projects were cancelled and the fashion for energy conservation was largely lost for several decades. A nuclear power station. ... For the physical concepts, see conservation of energy and energy efficiency. ...


Fuels

An offshore oil platform
An offshore oil platform

The majority of the energy in the United States is derived from fossil fuels: in 2005, it was estimated that 40% of the nation's energy came from petroleum, 23% from coal, and 23% from natural gas. The remaining 14% was supplied by nuclear power, hydroelectric dams, and miscellaneous renewable sources.[24] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 2049 KB) Photographer: Chad Teer from Coquitlam, Canada Title: Offshore Description: Offshore platform located in the Gulf of Mexico, port location Cd. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 2049 KB) Photographer: Chad Teer from Coquitlam, Canada Title: Offshore Description: Offshore platform located in the Gulf of Mexico, port location Cd. ... The Hibernia platform is the worlds largest oil platform. ... Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal and petroleum (fuel oil or natural gas), formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals[1] by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earths crust over hundreds of millions of years[2]. The theory that hydrocarbons were formed from these... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Lubbock, Texas Ignacy Łukasiewicz - inventor of the refining of kerosene from crude oil. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane but including significant quantities of ethane, butane, propane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen sulfide. ... For fusion power, see Fusion power. ... Hydroelectricity is the worlds leading renewable energy source. ...


Oil

The US consumes 20.8 million barrels of petroleum a day.[25], of this 9 million barrels of gas. Automobiles are the single largest consumer of oil[26], consuming 40%, and are also the source of 20% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.[27] Karl Benzs Velo model (1894) - entered into the first automobile race An automobile or motor car (usually shortened to just car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. ... Top: Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ...


The USA has about 22 billion barrels reserves while consuming about 7.6 billion barrels per year.[25] This has created pressure for previously reserved locations in places such as ANWR to be opened up for drilling. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Map The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge covers about 19,600,000 acres (79,318 km²) in northeastern Alaska, in the North Slope region. ...


Major issues with the Oil Supply include volatile oil prices, increasing world and domestic demand, and falling domestic production.


American dependence on imports grew from 10% in 1970 to 65% by the end of 2004. At the current rate of unchecked import growth, the US will be 70% to 75% reliant on foreign oil by the middle of the next decade. The country is now more dependent on oil, and less secure in its supply, than at any previous time.[28]


Coal

Coal in transit in Ohio
Coal in transit in Ohio

America is self sufficient in coal.[20] There are sufficient coal reserves to last 236 years at current consumption rates.[21][22] America could also get a large portion of its oil from coal if so desired. The United states trend in coal use has been rising for decades. From 1950 through 2006, both coal production and coal consumption in the United States have more than doubled.[29] Most electricity in the country is generated from coal-fired power plants:[7] in 2006, more than 90% of coal consumed was used to generate electricity. In 1950, about 19% percent of the coal consumed was for electicity generation.[30] Download high resolution version (897x634, 202 KB)Coal cars in Ashtabula, Ohio (taken Sept. ... Download high resolution version (897x634, 202 KB)Coal cars in Ashtabula, Ohio (taken Sept. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... Mohave Generating Station, a 1,580 MW coal power plant near Laughlin, Nevada A fossil fuel power plant is an energy conversion center that combusts fossil fuels to produce electricity, designed on a large scale for continuous operation. ...


In terms of the production of energy from domestic sources, from 1885 through 1951, coal was the leading source of energy in the United States. Crude oil and natural gas then vied for that role until 1982. Coal regained the position of the top domestic resource that year and again in 1984, and has retained it since.[31] The US burns 1 billion tons of coal every year.


Nuclear Power

Aerial view of cooling towers and nuclear plant.
Aerial view of cooling towers and nuclear plant.
See also: Nuclear Power 2010 Program

In 2004 in the United States, there were 104 (69 pressurized water reactors and 35 boiling water reactors) commercial nuclear generating units licensed to operate, producing a total of 97,400 megawatts (electric), which is approximately 20% of the nation's total electric energy consumption. The United States is the world's largest supplier of commercial nuclear power, however until 2005 no new nuclear power plants had been ordered for over twenty years. One nuclear power station can supply around 800 megawatts of power. Image File history File links Color photograph of the Three Mile Island nuclear generating station, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979. ... Image File history File links Color photograph of the Three Mile Island nuclear generating station, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979. ... President Dwight D. Eisenhower opened the Shippingport atomic power station on May 26, 1958 as part of his Atoms for Peace program. ... The Nuclear Power 2010 Program was unveiled by the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Energy on February 14, 2002 as one means towards addressing the expected need for new power plants. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... List of nuclear reactors is a comprehensive annotated list of all the nuclear reactors of the world, sorted by country. ... Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) (also VVER if of Russian design) are generation II nuclear power reactors that use ordinary water under high pressure as coolant and neutron moderator. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...


Although expensive to build, nuclear power plants can yield large quantities of electricity with relatively low operating costs, and with the emission of low levels of greenhouse gases. With political intervention, a percentage of the nation's electricity production could be generated by nuclear power, as in France, where nuclear power provides about 80% of the electricity. Top: Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ...


Renewable energy

Sketch of a Parabolic Trough Collector
Sketch of a Parabolic Trough Collector
Main article: Renewable energy commercialization in the United States

Wind power in the United States is a growing industry. Latest figures show that installed U.S. wind power capacity now exceeds 11,600 MW which is enough to serve three million average households.[32] Texas is firmly established as the leader in wind power development in the U.S., followed by California.[33] The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Texas is the world's largest wind farm at 735.5 MW capacity.[34] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 746 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 746 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... The 21st century is the present century of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... The California Central Valley Part of the Valley as seen from overhead A typical Central Valley scene at ground level The California Central Valley is a large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of the U.S. state of California. ... Image File history File links Smallsketch. ... Image File history File links Smallsketch. ... Three renewable energy sources The current status of renewable energy commercialization in the United States varies considerably between different renewable energy technologies, with some being commercialized at the present time. ... Map of available wind power over the United States. ... Worldwide installed capacity and prediction 1997-2010, Source: WWEA Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into more useful forms, usually electricity, using wind turbines. ... Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is the worlds largest wind farm at 735. ... A wind farm is a collection of wind turbines in the same location. ...


Several solar thermal power stations, including the new 64 MW Nevada Solar One, have also been built. Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is the name given to nine solar power plants in the Mojave Desert, which were commissioned between 1984 and 1991.[35] The SEGS installation uses parabolic trough solar thermal technology along with natural gas to generate electricity. The plants have a total generating capacity of 354 MW, making the system the largest solar plant of any kind in the world.[35] Solar thermal energy is a technology for harnessing solar power for practical applications from solar heating to electrical power generation. ... Nevada Solar One is the third largest solar power plant in the world, generating 64MW, as of June 2007. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Solar thermal energy is a technology for harnessing solar power for practical applications from solar heating to electrical power generation. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The major applications of solar thermal energy at present are heating swimming pools, heating water for domestic use, and space heating of buildings. ... Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane but including significant quantities of ethane, butane, propane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen sulfide. ...


Geothermal energy use is undergoing expansion and the USA is a world leader in the generation of electricity from geothermal energy. According to a recent report, there were 75 new geothermal power projects underway in 12 states as of May 2007.[36] Geothermal energy in the United States continues to be an area of considerable activity. ...


Biofuels

In recent years there has been an increased interest in biofuels - bioethanol and biodiesel - derived from common agricultural staples or waste. Increased domestic production of these fuels would reduce US expenditure on foreign oil and improve energy security. The United States used biofuel in the beggining of the 20st century. ... Biofuel is any fuel that derives from biomass _ recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure from cows. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... In some countries, filling stations sell biodiesel more cheaply than conventional diesel. ... Energy security, or security of supply, is a key component of energy policy in many countries. ...


Fuel blends containing 5-15% ethanol are available for use in regular cars and E85 fuel, containing 85% ethanol, is compatible with specially designed or adapted vehicles. Biodiesel, which has physical properties similar to petrodiesel and can fuel an unmodified diesel engine, or be blended with petrodiesel in any ratio to reach a mixture with specific properties. Logo used in the United States for E85 fuel E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85% denatured fuel ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. ...


Plans have been made to supply up to 25% of American fuel needs with ethanol in the coming decades. However, biofuels require a large amount of land and are expensive to produce. Consequently it is expected that biofuels would be used to augment, not replace fossil fuel consumption. It would be impossible for the US to produce enough biofuel to meet current energy use.


Although ethanol and biodiesel are hydrocarbon fuels intended for combustion much like fossil fuels, their use does not contribute to global warming directly. Being derived from photosynthetic plants, biofuel use is analogous to running cars on solar energy. The carbon contained in these fuels is atmospheric CO2 before the plant is grown, serves as a short term chemical storage medium for solar energy, then is released back into the atmosphere as C02 upon combustion. However much of the energy used during the production of biofuels, for example to produce fertilizers, is currently sourced from fossil fuels. This results in a net contribution to CO2 that is unfortunate, but still far lower than fossil fuel. Global mean surface temperatures 1850 to 2006 Mean surface temperature anomalies during the period 1995 to 2004 with respect to the average temperatures from 1940 to 1980 Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earths atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and the projected... Spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers (also spelled fertilisers) are compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. ... Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. ...


Carbon emissions

See also: Greenhouse gas emissions in the USA and Kyoto Protocol
CO2 emission per capita per year per country
CO2 emission per capita per year per country

Although possibly exceeded by China,[37] the United States has historically been the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases.[38] Some states, however, are much more prolific polluters than others. The state of Texas produces approximately 1.5 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide yearly, more than every nation in the world except six: the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India and Germany.[39] The Effect of Burning Hydrocarbon Fuel The U.S. State Department is offering a nation-level perspective by releasing a draft of the Fourth US Climate Action Report (USCAR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. ... Kyoto Protocol Opened for signature December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan Entered into force February 16, 2005. ... Image File history File links CO2_per_capita_per_country. ... Image File history File links CO2_per_capita_per_country. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...


Despite signing the Kyoto Protocol, the United States has neither ratified nor withdrawn from it. In the absence of ratification it remains non-binding on the US. President Bush has indicated that he does not intend to submit the treaty to the Senate for ratification, not because he does not support the Kyoto principles, but because of the exemption granted to China (the world's second largest emitter of carbon dioxide[40]). Bush also opposes the treaty because of the strain he believes the treaty would put on the economy; he emphasizes the uncertainties which are present in the climate change issue.[41] Furthermore, the U.S. is concerned with broader exemptions of the treaty. For example, the U.S. does not support the split between Annex I countries and others. Kyoto Protocol Opened for signature December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan Entered into force February 16, 2005. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...


The Bush Administration has taken no specific actions towards mitigation of climate change. At state and local levels, however, there are currently a number of initiatives. As of January 18, 2007, eight Northeastern US states are involved in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI),[42] a state level emissions capping and trading program. is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Eight states, shown in green, are participating in RGGI. Observers are not colorized. ...


On August 31, 2006, the California Legislature reached an agreement with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to reduce the state's greenhouse-gas emissions, which rank at 12th-largest carbon emitter in the world[43], by 25 percent by the year 2020. This resulted in the Global Warming Solutions Act which effectively puts California in line with the Kyoto limitations, but at a date later than the 2008-2012 Kyoto commitment period. is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The California State Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of California. ... Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): ) (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the U.S. state of California. ... The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, a law in California, was signed by Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 27, 2006. ...


As of March 11, 2007, 418 US cities in 50 states, representing more than 60 million Americans support Kyoto after Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle started a nationwide effort to get cities to agree to the protocol.[44] March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (71st in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels Gregory J. Greg Nickels (born August 7, 1955) became the 51st and current mayor of Seattle, Washington on January 1, 2002. ... “Seattle” redirects here. ...


In the non-binding 'Washington Declaration' agreed on February 16, 2007, the United States, together with Presidents or Prime Ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa agreed in principle on the outline of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. They envisage a global cap-and-trade system that would apply to both industrialized nations and developing countries, and hoped that this would be in place by 2009.[45][46] The G8+5 group of leaders consists of the heads of government from the G8 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States), plus the leaders of the leading emerging economies (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... It has been suggested that Underdevelopment be merged into this article or section. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Statistics

Electricity:

US Energy Use: Quad BTU. (1 Quad/s=1 trillion MW)
  • production 3.979 trillion kWh produced in 2004 [3]

[ or 5.3 trillion Horsepower ] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...


Electricity - production by source:

  • fossil fuel: 71.4%
  • hydro: 5.6%
  • nuclear: 20.7%
  • other: 2.3% (2001)

Oil:

  • production: 7.61 million barrel/day (2005 est.)
  • consumption: 20.03 million barrel/day (2003 est.)

(Remember: Heat Engines are only 20% efficient at converting raw energy (oil) into work.[citation needed] Electric transmission (production to consumer) loses over 23% of the energy due to generation, transmission, and distribution[47])


Carbon emissions:

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide versus Time
US carbon dioxide emissions (thousands of metric tons of CO2)[48]
Year CO2 Change from 1990
1990 4,825,360 0.00%
1991 4,835,750 0.22%
1992 4,811,240 -0.29%
1993 5,093,340 5.55%
1994 5,191,960 7.60%
1995 5,191,790 7.59%
1996 5,296,900 9.77%
1997 5,563,500 15.30%
1998 5,513,530 14.26%
1999 5,608,310 16.23%
2000 5,803,410 20.27%
2001 5,757,010 19.31%
2002 5,805,750 20.32%
2003 5,799,240 20.18%

Image File history File links Mauna_Loa_Carbon_Dioxide. ... Image File history File links Mauna_Loa_Carbon_Dioxide. ... A tonne or metric ton (symbol t), sometimes referred to as a metric tonne, is a measurement of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms. ...

Public opinion

The US results from the 1st Annual World Environment Review, published on June 5, 2007 revealed that:[49]

  • 74% are concerned about climate change.
  • 80% think their Government should do more to tackle global warming.
  • 84% think that the US is too dependent on fossil fuels.
  • 72% think that the US is too reliant on foreign oil.
  • 79% think that the US Government should do more to increase the number of hybrid cars that are sold.

An April CBS News/New York Times poll collected a wide range of data that demonstrates the public’s desire for serious action on global warming. By an almost two-to-one margin (63 percent to 32 percent), the public endorses the idea that protecting the environment is so important that “requirements and standards cannot be too high” and that “continuing environmental improvements must be made regardless of cost.”


The public is also quite clear on its priorities when it comes to promoting energy conservation versus increasing the supply of oil, coal, and natural gas. When asked which of these should be the higher priority, the public chooses energy conservation by a very wide 68 percent-to-21 percent margin.


The public also predominantly believes that the need to cut down on energy consumption and protect the environment means increased energy efficiency should be mandated for certain products. Ninety-two percent of Americans now support such requirements. [50]


See also

Energy Portal

Image File history File links Crystal_128_energy. ... Energy policy is the manner a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption. ... The Energy Policy Act is a United States government act. ... The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. ... World power usage in terawatts (TW), 1980-2004. ... The oil industry is a type of industry which brings petroleum to a financial market. ... The Economics of new nuclear power plants is a controversial subject, since multi-billion dollar investments ride on the choice of an energy source. ...

External links

World map showing the location of Usea Map of Usea USEA (United States of Euro-Asia) is a fictional continent from the Ace Combat series of video games. ...

References

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