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ENG 1121 30
Proposal Essay Revision
July 21, 2010
The Energy Solution
The scientifically and politically-acclaimed novel Beyond Fossil Fools explains that
Americans use a disturbing amount of oil and coal resources, more than any other nation, and we
are beginning to run out. Currently, we are importing these resources from other countries.
Because oil is regionally concentrated in areas outside America, we have to spend money to get
it here, and the average consumer will have to deal with increasing gas prices at the pump just to
drive (Shuster). Moreover, due to the constant use of electricity, our coal supply is running low
as well. According to University of Michigan researchers Osman Chughtai and David Shannon,
over sixty percent of the U.S.’ energy consumption is based on coal, natural gas, and motor
gasoline. This means that eventually, there won’t be any fossil fuel left, resulting in the loss of
use of vehicles, home appliances, and electricity based on these materials. Our consumption rate
is so high that we will use up most of America’s oil resources within the next eight years,
increasing our dependence on expensive foreign oil. If other countries like China or Russia begin
to use as many resources as we do, the most conservative estimates indicate that the world will
be bankrupt of all fossil fuels within the next few centuries (“Fossil Fuels”). Everyone that uses
gas for a car, heater, or a stove will experience rising costs due to the increased scarcity of fuel.
Anyone that uses electricity based on coal-powered steam will see a similar result, as coal
resources are becoming more expensive to obtain.
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However, there is good news. America can move away from its fossil-fuel dependence
by shifting to alternative energy and providing funding to wind, nuclear, and solar power
developers. By decreasing our dependence on imported oil and mined coal, we can reduce
energy costs for the average consumer, reduce consumption of limited resources, and move
towards self-sustenance as a country.
Since America realized that its fossil fuel reserves would eventually run out, there have
been many endeavors to try to find a solution. For years, Americans have tried to slow the
process of resource consumption to avoid disaster. However, we have not shifted enough of our
energy needs away from fossil fuels to be able to sustain ourselves when the coal and oil run out.
Some have explored researching technologies to utilize fossil fuels more efficiently. While this
avenue has had some success, scientist/economist Thomas Easton claims that companies are
reluctant to try it in the U.S. because Americans will simply drive more if their cars are more
efficient, or use more power if it becomes cheaper, which leads to the consumption of even more
resources (Taking Sides). Others have investigated research in biofuel usage, using plant matter
to create gasoline fuel. However, the article “Biofuels: The Original Car Fuel” describes that
this method still requires a bit of work because biofuel production is not very energy-effective,
seeing as how just as much energy is created as is used in producing it (National Geographic).
Still others have suggested alternatives that reduce consumption such as using less electricity buy
purchasing low-wattage light bulbs, walking or biking instead of driving, or growing their own
food instead of driving to the supermarket. While these are all valid approaches to reducing
consumption, they only delay the inevitable and do not solve the larger problem.
However, there are productive alternatives. Wind energy in America has had a lot of
success since its beginnings in the 1980’s. The book Taking Sides: Clashing Viewpoints in
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Energy and Society cites that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged to shift thirty
percent of the state’s energy to wind-powered sources by 2012. So far, the state is meeting its
deadlines (Easton). Wind energy has also received praise for its ability to be implemented just
about anywhere. Many crop farmers have built turbines on their property and have begun to sell
the extra electricity it provides to citizens in the surrounding area. The American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA) describes its potential by stating that turbines can often pay for themselves
within eight months by selling the excess power they can generate. AWEA also predicts that if
wind energy expansion efforts were maximized, as much as twenty percent of the nation’s
energy could be supplied (“Wind Energy Potential”). The best part about wind energy is that it is
renewable while causing almost no environmental hazards. It doesn’t give off any pollution or
consume any resources during operation. Thomas Easton mentions that while birds can
sometimes be killed by the spinning blades, these accidents tend to accompany turbines that use
cross-lattice tower designs. The zig-zag pattern allows room for birds and bats to nest, which
encourages them to fly near the blades, which can be dangerous. Fortunately, most of America’s
wind turbines aren’t built with cross-lattice construction, instead preferring to use towers built
with a solid-body design. These turbines have significantly fewer accidents (Taking Sides).
Solar energy has also made a name for itself. In areas where wind is less prevalent,
photovoltaic cells (PVC’s) can absorb as much as ten percent of the sun’s rays and convert it into
energy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the nice thing about PVC’s is
that, although initially expensive, they require no additional maintenance cost. Furthermore,
solar conversion happens instantly without the aid of an expensive apparatus, and nothing is
consumed (“Renewable Solar”). Some experts have argued that while effective, solar plates are
limited mainly to commercial applications and aren’t consumer-friendly. But the solar company
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New Energy has developed a window that charges power during both the day and night. This is
made possible by the installment of hundreds of solar cells smaller than a corn kernel. These
cells can absorb light from the sun or from artificial sources like lamps. The best part is that
developers have plans to install these windows in over eighty-million homes in the coming future
(Erickson).
Additionally, nuclear energy is touted to have the greatest potential of all. The article
“Nuclear Energy” explains that nuclear plants use much less fuel than traditional coal-based
energy providers, and nuclear fuels are more plentiful than coal or oil. Most importantly, one
pound of uranium creates almost four million times as much energy as a pound of coal. It’s
estimated that a piece of uranium smaller than a tennis ball can provide four people with a life’s
supply of power, encompassing transportation, heating, and electricity (Oracle Education
Foundation). However, some people have voiced concerns about the danger of a nuclear accident
or a problem with radiation storage, fearing widespread poisoning and mutation. But chemical
engineer Joseph Shuster explains that as long as the maintenance protocols are followed, nuclear
plants are safe. He illustrates the fact that the Three Mile Island meltdown could have been
avoided if the machinery had been inspected and the malfunctioning equipment had been
replaced as it was supposed to. He adds that the reactor vessel, built in accordance with safety
standards, contained the radiation, ensuring that citizens living within ten miles received less
radiation than a medical x-ray. Shuster concludes with a comparison of radioactive emissions
from one coal plant in a twenty-mile radius and every nuclear plant across the nation. Assuming
that all safety standards are followed, the one coal plant releases five times as much radiation as
all the nuclear plants put together (Beyond Fossil Fools).
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Therefore, with regard to these promising methods, a three-pronged solution can take
advantage of these benefits. First, offer grants to encourage research and development for wind,
solar, and nuclear energy companies. These alternative energy programs have already shown
significant progress in creating feasible and beneficial solutions, and have great potential for
future developments. The grants will require each company to show that their plan will be costeffective and realistically productive. Most importantly, the plans must demonstrate how their
solutions will connect to the existing distribution infrastructure.
Secondly, allow tax credits based on safety records and continued research for these
enterprises so that they can maintain and provide the necessary structures for production. Many
of the proposed solutions will require the staffing of new facilities, improvements to existing
structures, or the modification of outdated apparatuses. The money that companies save as a
result may then be used for solar panel arrays, new wind turbines, or nuclear cooling pipes. Also,
the tax credits will provide an incentive to keep up with safety maintenance of these buildings
and stimulate future research to develop better technology. If a little more money will encourage
companies to run the facilities at ideal capacity, properly maintain safety protocols and continue
technological advancement, it would be extremely well-invested.
Finally, modify the existing distribution infrastructure as needed so that homes and
businesses can benefit from the new solutions. This is the most important part of the solution,
because no matter the means of power generation, if it can’t be distributed effectively, it won’t
work. The power transmission grid needs to be adjusted so that electricity can be transmitted
with logistic efficiency to its destination. Joseph Shuster explains that with an effective grid, the
lines lead directly to a destination without winding around, allowing electricity to be transmitted
with minimal loss of intensity. He states that some of the most ineffective grids can lose up to
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seven percent of the initial voltage during transmission. They also are strategically placed so that
if a building is constructed in the future, the supply lines can be easily attached from the main
line, resulting in much less work later on (Beyond Fossil Fools). Therefore, builders should
coordinate with city construction departments to aid these companies in laying water mains,
underground distribution conduits, and power supply lines to make the distribution process faster
and more efficient. This way the public can start to receive the benefits of these alternatives in a
relatively prompt fashion and reduce wasted energy.
Considering that our planet’s resources are finite and our culture’s demand for them
apparently isn’t, we need to make a new plan; a plan that won’t lead to the collapse of our way of
life, one that provides continued sustenance and doesn’t end in self-consumption. We need a
method of producing energy that is cost-efficient and uses fewer resources; a way of fixing the
problem instead of pushing it away and hoping we won’t have to deal with it. This new solution
will release us from our financial ties to other oil-rich countries, which will reduce transportation
and air conditioning expenses. It will lead to the consumption of fewer resources, and produce
less pollution, making it less harmful to the environment. It will provide economic opportunity,
giving financial incentives to big businesses and opening the market for small enterprises. But
best of all, we will not be doomed when fossil fuel resources run out.
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Works Cited
“Biofuels: The Original Car Fuel.” National Geographic. n.d. Web. July 13, 2010.
< http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/biofuelprofile.html>
Chughtai, Osman and Shannon, David. “Fossil Fuels.” University of Michigan. n.d. Web. July
13, 2010. < http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/fossilfuels.htm>
Easton, Thomas. Taking Sides: Clashing Viewpoints in Energy and Society. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print. July 20, 2010.
Erickson, Briana L. "New Energy to Unveil World's First-of-Its-Kind See-Thru Glass SolarWindow
Capable of Generating Electricity. " Business Wire. 20 July 2010. ProQuest
Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. July 20, 2010.
“Nuclear Energy.” Oracle Education Foundation. 28 Oct. 1996. Web. July 13, 2010.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/nuclear_energy.html>
“Renewable Solar.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. n.d. Web. July 13, 2010.
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=solar_home-basics-k.cfm>
Shuster, Joseph M. Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040.
Edina: Beaver's Pond, 2008. Print. July 20, 2010.
“Wind Energy Potential.” American Wind Energy Association. 2009. Web. July 13, 2010.
< http://www.awea.org/faq/wwt_potential.html>
English 1121: College Writing and Critical Reading
Proposal Essay Evaluation Form (120 points possible)
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20
Thesis/Purpose
20 possible points
Clear, well-phrased,
appropriate thesis.
Effective focus.
15
Clear appropriate
thesis.
Appropriate focus.
10
Less clear thesis.
Minimal focus.
Addresses the purposes
and form, but slights
some tasks.
5
Inappropriate,
unclear, or
missing thesis;
lacks focus.
Addresses purpose and
form of the assignment.
Addresses purpose
and form of the
assignment.
Organization &
Structure
10
8
5
3
10 possible points
Order and pattern of
ideas is logical,
coherent, and perhaps
even dramatic.
Order and pattern of
ideas is logical and
coherent.
All parts of the essay are
presented, but may not
be in the best order or
may lack coherence.
Incoherent or
illogical
organization.
Critical Thinking &
Support
30
25
20
10
30 possible points
Insightful critical
thinking and reasoning.
Sound critical
Predictable
Little evidence of
critical thinking.
Strategic use of relevant
and concrete support.
Appropriate depth
thinking and
thinking and
reasoning.
reasoning.
Effective use of
relevant and concrete
of research.
Demonstrates
confusion about
the purpose of
the assignment.
10
inadequate
support.
Research lacks depth.
Lack of relevant
Sources are relevant,
credible, varied, and of
high quality.
Less depth of
Audience
Awareness
10
8
5
3
10 possible points
Strong audience
awareness.
Awareness of needs
and expectations of
readers.
Limited audience
awareness.
No audience
awareness.
Rigorous; consistently
engages reader.
25
Irrelevant and
Adequate support.
support.
20
sources.
research.
Sources are relevant
and credible.
Shifting point-of-view.
10
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Language and Style
10
8
5
3
10 possible points
Appropriate and
consistent tone and
voice.
Tone or voice wavers
at times.
Inconsistent voice.
Inappropriate
tone or voice.
Sophisticated language
and sentence structure.
Less sophisticated
language and
sentence structure.
Unnecessary repetition.
Less sentence variety.
Lack of sentence
variety.
Limited vocabulary.
Basic
vocabulary.
College-level vocabulary.
College-level
vocabulary.
20
15
10
5
Generally free from
errors.
There may be a few
minor errors.
Patterns of errors.
Essay specifications are
followed.
One essay spec’ is not
followed.
Frequent errors
interfere with
readability.
Documentation
20
15
10
5
(20 possible points)
Writer documents in-text
and list of works cited
correctly.
Writer documents
sources correctly, but
there may be some
minor errors.
Writer attempts to
document sources, but
formatting is sometimes
incorrect.
Documentation is
missing or
incorrect.
Grammar/
10
10
Technical Spec’s
(20 possible points)
More than one essay
specification is not
followed.
Formatting is
inconsistent
Essay Grade: 115/120
Many
specifications
are not
followed.
20