Commentary: Powering America with sustainable energy in the 21st century: Fid-Bau Portal

Commentary: Powering America with sustainable energy in the 21st century

Philippidis, George

The United States continues to rely heavily on foreign oil and coal-based electricity for its transportation and power generation needs, respectively. The perennial lack of a national energy policy has deprived the United States of strong direction towards the development of sustainable domestic energy resources, which are abundantly available, enhance the country's energy security, and reduce its carbon footprint. Technology innovation and economies of scale in the last ten years have made wind, solar thermal, biomass, and natural gas viable and cost-competitive alternatives to highly polluting coal. Biomass and natural gas can produce base-load electricity, whereas wind and solar can address peak demand, when combined with fossils or with energy storage systems like batteries. In vehicles, biofuels and electric motors can rather seamlessly replace gasoline and reduce significantly our dependence on foreign oil. While each form of alternative energy has its own advantages, they can all contribute to economic growth in the 21st century by attracting investment, creating jobs, generating tax revenues, and making the entire US economy more sustainable.