Energy 101
With the recent increase in gas and electricity prices, many families and communities are starting to wonder where their energy comes from and what their other options are.
Energy Types:
There are hundreds of different types of energy that are used around the world and in the US to generate our electricity. Of the many different types, the most common forms of energy that fuel our homes, our cars and bring food to the grocery store are coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and various forms of renewable energy.
US Energy Consumption
The United States is one of the largest energy consumers in the world. The majority of our energy use comes from fossil fuels with the following breakdown:
- 40% of the nation's energy came from petroleum
- 23% from coal
- 23% from natural gas
- 14% was supplied by nuclear power, hydroelectric dams, and miscellaneous renewable energy sources. (US Department of Energy)
*Chart created using Information from the US EIA
Problems with our Current System
- The burning of coal results in mercury emissions, sulfur dioxide emissions as well as the largest amount of carbon dioxide emissions (when compared with other electricity sources)
- Our transportation system is, currently, completely dependant on oil. Oil is a finite resource and the US contains less than 2% of the world’s oil within its boundaries