North Carolina Energy Resources Essay

Fracking the Good and The Bad In the essay, “Hope It’s in Your Backyard,” by Neil deMause, he wrote about the positive and negative factors of fracking and its effect on the world. The ramifications of fracking could be devastating to the earth with regards to natural gas and oil. It is debated that fracking, in the United States, would stimulate economic growth, lower gas prices, create more jobs, and make our country independent for oil and natural gas. The effects of burning fossil fuels is negative to the earth’s climate and the cause of some pollution. Natural gas is cheaper, but its effect on our ecosystem may be devastating.

Throughout the centuries, humans have been attempting to find a way to power homes, cars, and other luxuries in the most efficient way possible. Coal and oil were two major sources that begin being exploited during the industrial revolution. Both have caused great controversy over the years from lawsuits to strikes. A new way to drill oil, hydraulic fracturing, was discovered and was an efficient means of drilling until its effects became prevalent. Also, when coal began to run out, a new method called mountaintop removal took hold, but continues to damage the earth.

Texas is known for its agricultural land, especially in West Texas, and can expand biomass energy and reduce the use of non-renewable resources. For example, “Texas also has several biogas facilities that recycle organic waste into renewable energy” (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Page 4). 8 Not only is this energy source renewable but it is recycling waste into a valuable resource. Texas “also has eight biodiesel plants that can produce about 380 million gallons of biodiesel each year” (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Page 4). 9

Thinking about what ethanol fuel actually is, many may not know. Right now everyone pretty well uses either gasoline or diesel to run their cars. However if we were to switch over to ethanol fuel, using gasoline and diesel would be long gone. As (Nrcan.gc.ca, 2013) states ethanol fuel is a liquid alcohol which has hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon being added to it. However the actual ethanol is not made until a crop such as wheat or corn undergoes the process of fermentation.

(Fracking and Poverty) Furthermore, “The gas industry has chosen to voluntarily tell what additives are used at each well site through the Frack Focus database” (“EIA Kids Natural Gas Basics”) So there are some disadvantages, but the advantages of fracking are more

By fracking for natural gas and shifting from coal to natural gas power generation plants, we could benefit economically, save our environment, and save millions of gallons of

In my opinion, the environmental and economic implications of fracking can be divided into pro’s and con’s. The pro’s are the economic aspects which are lower fuel prices, employment and domestic business growth. The negative aspects are all environmental and consist of high water consumption, the use and deterioration of the infrastructure, carbon footprint, voc’s (emission), water resources being contaminated and seismic events. The economic benefits of lower fuel prices means American

I am really neutral on the issue. I know there are benefits to fracking for natural gas. It is better for the climate than fossil fuels, and it is cheaper. What I do not know is the extent of the damages it can potentially cause. It is a relatively new practice, and enough time has not passed to cause justification or condemnation.

Bill Estep said in the Kentucky Herald-Leader in an article about hydropower in Kentucky, this article was written in 2015, talking about the prospect of hydropower in Kentucky, though most of the energy made from the new plants are speculated to be used in other states and not the coal-dominant energy industry of Kentucky. There is already 3.4% of the energy used in Kentucky that is made from the seven hydro-powered dams that it has, a small number compared to the amount of energy used from coal but still a hopeful number that hydropower can start to become a larger part of Kentucky's energy. Hydropower produces about 0.7 cents per kilowatt-hour as stated in Alternative energy, alternative energy for the 21st century. This is about one-third the cost compared to using fossil fuel or nuclear energy, and one thing most states can agree upon is cost efficiency when it comes to their energy

Natural gas produces “roughly 95% fewer pollutants than gasoline or diesel fuel when burned”. We have enough reserves to last for about 87 years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011 took a major step forward to promote natural gas. This act renewed the tax credit on natural gas fuel for five years, it gave new credits for buying and producing natural gas vehicles, and it gave a tax credit for building new natural gas stations. Doyle supports this type of legislation.

What do you do when you run out of gas in your car? Will you stop using your car? or Will you go to the gas station and refill your tank? Natural gas that has been pumped up from fracking nearly fuels 40% of the U.S. energy consumption. Without fracking, the price of gas would have a drastic raise from $3.25 to $11 per gallon, so consumers would have to pay about $130 or more to refill their gas tank.

Coal is nonrenewable. The amount of coal that exists in the United States is difficult to estimate because it is buried underground. The most comprehensive national assessment of U.S. coal resources was published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 1975, which indicated that as of January 1, 1974, coal resources in the United States totaled 4 trillion short tons (EIS 2017). One of the biggest cons of Coal Energy is that it releases Carbon Dioxide. This transfer, the Carbon from the Earth to the Environment, contributes to the Global Warming Effect.

This memo will outline the main reasons Duke Energy Corporation should be considered for a potential investment opportunity. First looking into Duke Energies market position, what they are about, their ability to grow and compete as well as a financial analysis to give further insight into the company. Duke Energy was founded in 1904 and is now one of the largest electric power companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina operating throughout the U.S. This company excels in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. They also sell and transport natural gas.

If you haven’t guessed already, I’m talking about coal. Has anyone else done some mathematical modeling to answer these questions? Well, either way I’ve set out to find answers to these questions, and model the math that I’ve done to acquire the correct data. For me to do any modeling of any sort of math, I first required data and background information. So with the help of government run websites I came to the conclusion that coal reserves are available in almost every country worldwide.

Will coal seam gas (CSG) damage our environment and plague our economy? Over the last few decades, several countries have started producing more CSG to satisfy their energy demand. However, the society have many concerns related to CSG, which is a type of unconventional oil and gas. These concerns arise because of hydraulic fracking that petrol companies use to extract CSG. The concerns include the effect of CSG on the environment and the economy, which that I will mention in depth.