1 of 21

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 5

in funding to build a zero-emissions plant in Illinois. This was nearly three quarters of the funding that the FutureGen Alliance had acquired to go ahead with the project. The FutureGen Alliance is currently regrouping and looking at moving its project and development from Illinois to Kentucky, where extra support would be made available by the state (Blankinship, S., 2008).

Oil Energy

With the price of oil topping $142 per barrel and moving ever closer to five dollars a gallon at the gas pump, the push for alternative fuel use has moved to the forefront of news channels and American concern. America's reliance on oil to fuel the large SUV's and trucks that had become increasingly popular over the last decade have led to supply shortages and increased prices. This increasing demand for oil has put national wildlife reserves and American coastlines in danger as the search for potential sites for domestic production swings into full force. This reliance on oil has had a large impact on the American marketplace. Commodity costs have increased while large American corporations such as Ford, GMC, and Chrysler have taken large hits in production and sales.

While America struggles with its dependency on oil, fuel alternatives are being researched. Ethanol, produced from plant cellulose is one of these alternatives. BP and DuPont have also partnered to research the use of biobutanol. Biobutanol is less volatile and less corrosive than ethanol, and can be handled both in delivery and the way it is dispensed through the current fuel infrastructure (Lovaas, D., 2007). Automobile manufacturers have responded by offering vehicles that provide better gas mileage and hybrid vehicles. These gas-electric hybrids have shown better mileage and a reduction in emissions. Even with these improvements, these automobiles still rely on oil to power them and have not been offered using an alternative fuel source.

Natural Gas Energy

Natural gas could take thousands, even millions of years to develop. As its use increases year after year, the difficult estimation process of how much natural gas can be found in the United States becomes ever more crucial. In a study conducted in 2000 by the Energy Information Administration, it was estimated that the United States had 1190.62 trillion cubic feet of natural gas available. According to a 2006 study conducted by the Energy Information Administration published in the Oil & Gas Journal, the natural gas reserves in the United States only amount

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The different types of renewable energy?
We want to hear your view. Write now!