Davis Martinec
English 112-85
Argument-Based Research
3/17/14
Proposal Argument
North Carolina Going Green
North Carolina is the nineteenth largest state by area and the tenth most populated state in the
United Sates(States). North Carolina uses a wide variety of energy sources, however, for electricity
production, fifty five percent of the electricity used in North Carolina comes from coal(Energy
Resources). In the United Sates North Carolina has the tenth highest residential energy consumption,
the eighteenth highest commercial consumption, eleventh highest industrial consumption and the
thirteenth highest transportation consumption in the nation.(U.S. Energy) Energy consumption is so
high globally, that in recent years the demand has taken its toll on the planet. The planet is on the verge
of a major climate shift due to the consumption of fossil fuels to meet the world’s energy demand.
North Carolina residents, industries and businesses needs to turn to cleaner, renewable and
environmentally friendly energy sources because fossil fuels damage environment and are expensive.
North Carolina’s fossil fuel based energy production is detrimental to the environment, its
businesses and the economy. Its costs the residents, industries and businesses of North Carolina on
average seventeen billion dollars a year to import its fuel for energy production(Appalachian). As fossil
fuels become harder to obtain these costs will rise. Fossil fuels produce large amounts of carbon
dioxide, a heat trapping gas, that has contributed to global warming(Fossil Fuel). The burning of such
fuels pose threats to air, water and soil quality. Coal, which accounts for fifty one percent of the fuel
used for electricity production, produces toxic substances such as mercury, which can cause brain
damage(EPA). The burning of these fuels not only causes environmental damage, but can also cause
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considerable damage to human health(Ausubel). According to the Union of Concerned Scientists,
“Nitrogen oxides appear as yellowish-brown clouds over many city skylines. They can irritate the lungs,
cause bronchitis and pneumonia, and decrease resistance to respiratory infections. They also lead to the
formation of smog.”(Ausubel). Fossil fuels are clearly not the solution to North Carolina’s energy
demand. North Carolina needs to end its dependency on fossil fuels and turn to cleaner sources of
energy.
The solution to the fossil fuel dependency is simple: renewable resources. Renewable resources
include: wind, water, solar, biomass, ocean currents and geothermal. Many of these energy sources are
already being implemented today, but there needs to be more done. Only 5.3 percent of North
Carolina’s electricity comes from renewable resources(U.S. Energy). Homes and businesses need to turn
to renewable energy such as, solar and wind to power homes and stores. Renewable energy saves
residents and business countless expenses and helps reduce environmental impact. Another solution to
the fossil fuel dependency is simply to use less energy, however, in today’s ever-evolving world energy
demand will unlikely fall.
Fossils fuels cost North Carolina 17 billion dollars per year. Renewable energy sources are
practically free. The average cost of outfitting and average American home is about $18,000(Solar
Power). This includes the price of the solar panels and equipment, plus installation. On average these
systems take about ten to fifteen years to pay for themselves in savings(Solar Power). The upfront cost
of solar may seem unreasonable to some when compared to the average electric bill of about $75 a
month, however, prices of solar technologies are expected to drop as fossil fuel prices increase(Solar
Power).
Wind turbines are another source of renewable energy. Solar panels may not be ideal if placed
in a shaded areas or regions that do not receive a lot of sunlight annually. Wind turbines are generally
more expensive than solar panels, but when placed in ideal locations can produce large amounts of
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clean electricity. The average American household uses 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in a given
year(Residential Wind). It takes one gallon of oil to produce 40 kilowatt hours of electricity(8). A 10
kilowatt hour wind turbine can produce 10,000 kilowatt hours or more in one year(Residential Wind).
Wind turbines are ideal for windy places and can provide all the electricity a household needs and still
produce a surplus which can be sold back to the grid. Wind turbines can cost as much as $20,000$125,000 but are more efficient in the fact that a single turbine can supply enough electricity to meet a
household’s needs(Residential Wind). Renewable energies, unlike fossil fuels, pay for themselves in
savings, while fossils fuels will always cost money.
Geothermal and hydroelectric power sources are also great for reducing electric bills and global
impact. Geothermal electric and heating sources are one of the most cost effective renewable energy
sources(Benedict). The cost of geothermal systems can vary, but typically they cost around $10,000$30,000 depending on the size of the home and complexity of the system(Benedict). Hydroelectric
power is not as easily accessible to the average home because it requires a moving water source such as
a river, stream or waterfall. Hydroelectric power stations work by utilizing the flow of water to turn
turbines in order to produce electricity(Hydroelectric). Hydroelectric power is one of the most efficient
ways to produce electricity and the facilities are also relatively low in cost to build(Hydroelectric).
Hydroelectric and geothermal power constantly produce electricity, whereas solar and wind may not
produce as much on cloudy or windless days(Hydroelectric).
Renewable energies are the way of the future. Unlike fossil fuel energy, renewable energy has
low running cost because they utilize natural sources of energy that are abundant around the world.
Switching to renewable energy sources from fossil fuel energy sources would save money and help
contribute to preserving the ecosystem. Renewable resources will also be around long after fossil fuels
are depleted. Renewable energies are also the morally right. The technology to produce clean and
efficient energy is already, however our current system hangs on to the dated use of fossil fuels.
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Renewable energy is not considered by some to be the solution to the world’s energy problem.
In her article Renewable Energy is not Beneficial to the Environment, Jesse H. Ausubel, argues that the
lauded renewable energies of today are not what we think they are. Ausubel claims that renewables,
such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass do little to help aid the planet and possibly even do more harm
than good(Ausubel). Renewables, on the contrary, are in fact good for the environment. Many believe
that wind farms are unsightly and kill to many birds, when in reality the continued use fossil fuels and
human activity is destroying populations faster than wind farms(Menter). Some argue that solar panels
are not as environmentally friendly as they appear, because they require large amounts of land that
need to be cleared to put solar panels on(Ausubel). Some claim that the efficiency of the solar panels
isn’t worth the money. Solar panels with low efficiencies, however, are still more environmentally
friendly than fossil fuels. Solar panels take advantage of free sunlight while fossil fuels are expensive
and labor intensive. North Carolina’s main energy source, coal, is mined, which not only destroys the
forests and wildlife present on the surface but also the water table and the environment miles
away(Menter). Barbara Menter explains how coal mining can effect an ecosystem, “ A large-scale
mining process can affect the environment, including the human environment miles away from the
original mining site. Exposure to chemicals poisons the human body causing everything from skin rashes
to cancer.”(Menter). Solar energy, on the other hand, does not affect the environment like coal does
and provides cheap clean electricity. Recently Duke Power, North Carolina’s and the eastern half of the
United States electricity provider, reported that 82, 000 tons of coal ash spilled in to the Dan River after
a pipe under an ash pond broke(CNN). Ash ponds are used to store the toxic ash left over from burning
coal to produce electricity(CNN). Disasters like the Dan River ash spill should be all the reason needed to
end the dependency on fossil fuels to power the nation and North Carolina.
No single energy source is the solution to North Carolina’s energy demand. The current solution
fossil fuels, however, has been proven to do more harm than good. Renewable energies have proven
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that they can supply the energy needed. Renewable energy is more cost effective in the long run and
helps to preserve the planet for future generations to come. Carbon based fuels are dirty and can
produce toxic chemicals and byproducts, while renewable energy produces clean and cheap electricity
not at the planet’s and environment’s expense. The longer it takes to convert to cleaner sources of
energy the faster environments around the world and here in North Carolina, are being irreversibly
damaged by fossil fuel use. The time to make the change is now. The technology is already here, all it
needs is to be put to use.
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Works Cited
"Basic Information." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
"Energy Resources." Home. Western North Carolina Vitality Index, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
"Fossil Fuel." - New World Encyclopedia. New World Encyclopedia, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
"How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar on an Average US House?" Solar Power Authority. Solar Power
Authority, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
"How Much Does A Residential Wind Turbine Cost?" Residential Wind Power Prices. What It Costs, n.d.
Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
"Hydroelectric Power: How It Works." Hydroelectric Power: How It Works, USGS Water-Science School.
USGS, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.
"StatesRanked by Size & Population." States. Ipl2, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
"U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis." United States. U.S.
Energy Information Administration, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
Appalachian State University Department of Technology and Energy Center. “North
Ausubel, Jesse H. "Renewable Energy Is Not Beneficial for the Environment." Renewable Energy. Ed.
Jacqueline Langwith. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from
"Renewable and Nuclear Heresies." International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and
Ecology 1.3 (2007): 229-235. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
CarolinaState Energy Report.” Boone: North Carolina Energy Policy Council and North Carolina Energy
Office. 2010, web
Benedict, Rachaeel. "It's Geothermal." Carolina Country. Carolina Country, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
Buczynski, Beth. "4 Things That Kill More Birds Than Wind Farms." Care2. Care2, 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 15
Mar. 2014.
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Menter, Barbara. "How Does Mining Affect the Environment." LoveToKnow. LoveToKnow, n.d. Web. 15
Mar. 2014.
Shoichet, Catherine E., and Suzanne Presto. "Spill Spews Tons of Coal Ash into North Carolina River."
CNN. Cable News Network, 09 Feb. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.