Many concerned citizens believe, as I do, that we should not be tapping into our national oil reserves by drilling off the coasts or in the Alaskan wildlife reserves. What we should be doing instead is decreasing our dependency on oil, both domestic and imported. We have the technology and the unlimited natural resources- sun, sea, wind, and geothermal -here in the U.S. right now.
Solar: Many businesses in California are using photovoltaic cells for solar energy. Solar panels could be put on the roofs of all commercial buildings.
Wind Power: A single wind turbine can power up to 14,000 homes. Theoretically, harnessing the wind power over just the badlands and farmland of North and South Dakota could serve the entire country. Several European countries get 20% of their electrical power from wind farms.
Geothermal: This clean, renewable energy resource can be utilized in states such as California where the steam from volcanic geysers can be put to work. However, geothermal heating could be used for new homes anywhere in America by installing an underground heat exchange eight feet below the surface.
Biofuels: Why are we wasting corn, a needed food source, on producing ethanol? The best source for ethanol is switchgrass, basically a weed that grows in any soil, needs no water or fertilizer, and doesn’t require fertile farmland.
Tidal flow: The wave power of the ocean can be captured anywhere along the nation’s coasts. This kind of energy powers a large portion of Portugal.
Even though we seem to be inextricably linked to Big Oil, perhaps the citizens of Malibu could set an example to the rest of the country by investing in these clean, domestic energy alternatives. This is the future. Let’s face it! No one in the West will ever be able to control or secure the Middle East oil production. And through that oil, the Middle East controls all of us.
Cindy Emminger