A radical re-thinking of the United States energy policy is urgent, in so far as the weaknesses of the current policy are not only limited to, for example, environmental concerns, but also negatively impact the U.S.’s domestic political situation as well as its own strategic position in the world. Academic literature on the U.S.’s energy policy has accordingly criticized this policy from a number of perspectives. Understanding the diversity of these critiques, therefore, underscores the importance of policy change. As will be proposed in the following paper, the shift to so-called ‘green power’ or ecologically friendly energy sources provides the optimal solution to this problem.
The environmental concern is primarily based on critiques of carbon-based energy sources, upon which the U.S. has been over reliant. The carbon-based energy sources are especially of concern because of their contribution to the global warming phenomenon. More specifically, these sources contribute to C02 gas emissions. If these emissions are left unchecked, as the academics Socolow and Pacala have argued, this will, in their words, cause the atmosphere to ‘go haywire.’ (Friedman, 2010, p. 296) The shift away from carbon-based energy namely averts a very real ecological catastrophe.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Argumentative Synthesis: The Nation’s Energy Policy Over the Next Fifty Years".
Other critiques of current policy have underscored its negative impact on the U.S.’s strategic position with regard to the world. Over reliance on carbon-based energy sources namely engenders over reliance on particular strategic partners, who possess an abundance of these energy sources. For example, a 2006 report produced by the Council on Foreign Relations explicitly stated that the country’s ‘growing dependence on imported energy increases their strategic vulnerability and constrains their ability to pursue a broad range of foreign policy and national security objectives.’ (Task Force, 2010, p. 314) The imported energy upon which the U.S. is dependent are carbon-based energy sources, a dependency that, as the Task Force pointed out, essentially forces the U.S. policy into strategic decisions which are primarily determined by their ability to secure these crucial resources.
There is also an important domestic element to the need for policy reform. Over reliance on foreign markets negatively impacts the United States domestic economy. (Schubert, 2008, p. 14) Furthermore, everyday needs of consumers, such as automobile fuel, are negatively impacted by fluctuations on the global market, thereby making the U.S. less autonomous precisely where its autonomy should be highest, that is, on its own domestic terrain. (Schubert, 2008, p. 14)
These three decisive factors make the argument for policy reform unassailable. At the same time, the precise concerns expressed above are unified to the extent that they also provide a potential solution to current energy policy. Namely, what becomes imperative is a policy that emphasizes the development of green energy resources, in so far as this confronts ecological problems, alleviates U.S. dependence on foreign sources, and strengthens the domestic economy. At the same time, this policy must be comprehensive and inclusive: in so far as the energy problem extends into all aspects of U.S. life, from the social to the economic, from the political to the private, policy must address all these segments of society. Policy has been made on the state level, for example, in California, which has set renewable energy goals. (Dickerson, 2010, p. 359) State policy, however, is not sufficient, in so far as the negative impact of current policy is so extensive: this clearly necessitates a greater federal policy.
Pacala and Socolow have produced a strategy of areas that can be effectively addressed through policy revision. In the form of a pie chart, they identify fifteen such areas. (Friedman, 2010, p. 297) The proposed policy aims to employ five of these suggestions, so as to realize the goal of a shift to a green economy. 1) Increase windpower to displace all coal-fired power. The use of windpower is environmentally friendly, as well as a renewable energy resource. 2) Increase sola power to displace all coal-fired power. 3) Increase the development and production of ethanol cars, as well as ensure that they are cost-friendly so as to encourage the consumer to utilize them. The ethanol-based car replaces the need for carbon-based fuel sources, is environmentally friendly, and also helps the U.S. economy, in particular, the agricultural sector which can be re-focused on this new need. (Shaffer, p. 141) 4) Double automobile fuel efficiency, thereby reducing foreign oil dependence and creating more environmentally friendly automobiles. 5) Reduce use of electricity in homes and businesses, also limiting the use of carbon based fuels.
These five goals are compelling because they are achievable. They are not based on the speculative advent of various new technologies, but are measures that should be encouraged. Furthermore, they cut across all levels of American society. Promotion of ethanol cars will re-invigorate the automobile industry and also American agriculture. Furthermore, industry growth will now be registered in fields such as solar power and wind power. The average citizen is also involved in this process, being encouraged by competitive pricing to purchase such technologies, while also being encouraged to reduce energy use.
At the same time, the United States does not have to limit itself to technologies that are already available. The U.S. should encourage innovative companies looking for green solutions that are in line with the overall government policy. For example, the U.S. government could offer tax subsidies to entrepreneurs and companies that are seeking out solutions which are deemed to be consistent with the new U.S. energy policy. This measure will at once encourage entrepreneurial spirit and individual creativity.
The key to the proposal, as based on the aforementioned identified concerns, is to shift to a green economy, incorporating both existing green technologies and feasible contemporary measures and targets with a future-looking approach that is above all based on the research and development of new green technologies, which are in line with the objectives of the policy, address environmental concerns, decrease foreign dependency, and grow the domestic economy. The dependence on oil has been a historical concern of the U.S. (Beaubouef, 2007, p. 80); that this concern still has not resulted in an effective policy further emphasizes the necessity to implement this proposed policy.
- Beauboeuf, B. (2007). The strategic petroleum reserve: U.S. energy security and oil politics,
1975-2000. College Station, US: Texas A&M University Press. - Dickerson, M. (2010). ‘State solar power plans are as big as all outdoors.’ In L. Behrens
and L.J. Rosen (eds.) Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. New York: Pearson.
pp. 357-360. - Friedman, T.L. (2010). ‘205 easy ways to save the earth.’ In L. Behrens and L.J.
Rosen (eds.) Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. New York: Pearson.
pp. 289-300. - Report of an Independent Task Force. (2010). ‘National security consequences of
U.S. oil dependence.’ In L. Behrens and L.J. Rosen (eds.) Writing and Reading
Across the Curriculum. New York: Pearson. pp. 311-314. - Schubert, S.R. (2008). A Comparative Analysis of Systematic Opportunities and Constraints
in US and UK Energy Policy Formulation: Implications for Inter-State Relations.
Master’s Thesis. St. Louis, MO: Saint Louis University.
