Overview: The Final Project for this course is a research paper on the energy mix of the United States. Throughout this course, we review fossil
fuel energies, renewable energies, and the environmental impacts of all energies. Your task is to research and write a paper that looks at the
historical and current U.S. energy mix, explains the issues with the current mix, and proposes a viable energy solution that balances the needs of
consumers and the environmental impact of current and future use.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Critically examine current topics in energy production and use
Demonstrate knowledge of issues associated with energy
Describe the link between energy use and environmental issues
Explain how the decisions people make regarding energy impact the environment
Prompt: The most desirable attributes for the future of the U.S. energy supply are:
Affordability
Stability of the resources
The “green” element of the resources (clean both in extraction/development and use)
Security of the resources (the resource is domestic rather than provided by other countries)
Considering the attributes listed above, write a paper that reviews past and current energy use, and explains the issues with the current energy
mix. Incorporate what you have learned in this course, as well as your independent investigation.
Specifically, you must address the critical elements from the final project as listed below:
I. U.S. Energy Mix
A. Relate the historical (1950–1990) mix of energy consumption in the United States. As a starting point, visit the U.S. Energy
Information Administration webpage summarizing energy sources for electricity in the United States. Specifically, speak on the
non-renewable resources of coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas, and the renewable resources of solar, wind, and hydropower.
Cite your sources.
B. Describe how the U.S. energy mix has adjusted since 2010 to the present with respect to both non-renewable (coal, petroleum,
natural gas) and renewable (solar, wind, hydropower) resources. This will be your description of the current U.S. energy mix.
Cite your sources.
C. Explain the issues with the current U.S. energy mix and the effect on the environment. Cite your sources.
