Policy Proposals For The Energy Policy Act Of 2015

Policy Proposals for the Energy Policy Act of 2015

INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest challenges facing the United States is that many Americans still do not believe that human activities have resulted in a change in the planet’s natural climate. This policy paper will assume acceptance that humans have caused climate change based on overwhelming scientific consensus, and will focus instead on oil, nuclear, coal, electricity, and international energy issues.

OIL

Issue Over the past year, crude oil prices have dropped from over $100 per barrel to around $50 per barrel. At these lower prices, some domestic producers cannot maintain profitable operations. While low oil prices are beneficial for all citizens and the transportation industry, they

While economic factors have played a part in the halt of new nuclear power plant construction, public safety considerations has also played a factor. The issue is whether it is possible to safely expand the use of nuclear energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels with broad ranged public support.

Problems

In 1979, the nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, PA suffered a partial meltdown, and spread concerns about the safety of nuclear power. In 1986, a Soviet nuclear power plant in the Ukrainian SSR suffered a catastrophic meltdown. More recently, in 2012, a tsunami caused damage to a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, renewing concerns regarding the safety of nuclear energy. These accidents, while serious, may not be accurate representations of the potential of nuclear power. Nuclear power plants are expensive to design, maintain, and operate. However, their carbon footprint is a fraction of fossil fuels, and the nuclear cycle produces no greenhouse gasses. While additional nuclear reactors are being constructed in existing power plants, new ground has not broken on a power plant since 1977. Part of this is due to the safety concerns that the public has regarding the safety of nuclear power in

This would assist those states most reliant on coal for electricity and subsidize the replacement of coal power plants in those areas.

ELECTRICITY

Issue Residential electricity usage accounts for the largest percentage of sector consumption at around 33%. This consumption is highest during the summer months, when air conditioning in many states is a necessity. Many energy initiatives target homeowners by subsidizing and otherwise encouraging efficient energy use and upgrades. Renters, however, are not eligible for many of these subsidies and bear the cost of older and inefficient houses and structures.

Problems

Residential energy efficiency initiatives have proved effective in promoting conservation, reducing waste, and encouraging more efficient structures. For a time, homeowners could apply for a rebate for renewable energy generators installed on their primary residences. Renters, however, are not eligible for many of these programs, and if they are, they lack the economic incentive to take advantage of them. For example, new energy efficient windows may take around ten years for the savings to offset the initial cost of installation. There, a renter staying less than ten years would have to reason to install the new