Summative post response

Sal - A succinct and clearly stated response - I am looking forward to reading your paper.

Summative Blog Entry #19

About 5 months ago, I posted my first response into my blog on Alternative Energy. It was a five paragraph essay explaining the reasons that I thought it was a good idea to research Alternative Energy as my topic. Now, I'm writing response looking back on my blog, and I'm glad I picked this topic. My thesis has changed over the months, but its final form is: Alternative Energy is essential for our planets future because it reduces the amount of carbon emissions, and solar and wind power are the most effective forms of Alternative Energy.

When I started writing my blog, I believed that the further development of Alternative Energy was essential in securing our planets future, and while that hasn't changed, my understanding of the subject of the subject has deepened. One source that affected my views was the response I did on DIY solar panels. They allow anyone with a small amount of money to buy a solar panel which will save you money and lower your carbon footprint. The slight problem? You receive a kit with a guide, but you have to build your own solar panel. This article made me realize that the one thing standing in the way of solar panels being universally owned was their very high cost.

Wind power, the other form of renewable energy I focused on, has some very important pros and cons I discovered in an article about NIMBY, standing for Not in My Backyard. This article stated that people just didn't want towering metal structures in their view for a variety of ridiculous reasons. Even people who want to build wind turbines were solidly against people building them within view of their property. Still, wind power really has no non-aesthetic drawbacks, with zero emissions and reasonably efficient transfer to electricity.

After reviewing my blog it appears like I have said much of the same thing over the five month period. This is because every single article, barring one, has only reinforced my idea that Alternative Energy is the future, and necessary in the preservation of a recognizable Earth.

Response #18 to my Interview with Jennifer Puser

Upon reading my interview, you will probably notice that her answers are almost jumbled, and not fluidly written. This is because I had no way of recording her, so instead I put down her main points instead of direct quotes. The reason I cut down the number of questions is because the four I cut out were simply bad questions that I could get an answer to just off of the internet. Now onto my response: I accomplished everything I was looking for. Jennifer Puser is, I'm assuming, a democrat, or she at least has liberal tendencies because she believes it is the governments responsibility to encourage the development of Alternative Energy, and mentioned that Maine was a leader in Alternative Energy in new England. One thing I found interesting was that she looks at geothermal energy, something which I haven't looked since the single blog entry I did on it, a competitive form of renewable energy.

(#17) Interview Questions For Jennifer Puser, who works in the state government.

- Why or why not do you support Alternative energy development?

The reasons that the state government support renewable energy are to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, to help the economy with jobs, and to reduce the cost of energy around the board.

- What do you think the future holds for Alternative energy in Maine?

I think it is very bright. There is a lot of stuff going on right now. We are in a transition from old fossil fuels to alternative energy. Last week a Portland based company just tested the first tidal based power source. We are part of the New England energy grid. Right now in Maine there is a transition to offshore wind power. Maine is pushing the envelope on renewable energy.

- Do you see global warming as a problem?

Global warming is definitely a problem. The state of Maine has agreed with the rest of new England to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Maine was the first state in the country to implement a climate bill.

-Which type of Alternative Energy is the most realistic and efficient for Maine?

Its going to be be some of all of this. In the past in Maine, for example, 80 percent of homes and business used heating oil. I think we are going to see a little bit of all the sources I mentioned. (wind, solar, geothermal, hydro.)

- Economically, what is the potential for Alternative Energy in Maine?

I think economically wind power right now is competitive. Coal,oil ad fossil fuels all have subsidies. Solar energy is not as competitive on a large scale. Geothermal is a good application for a larger building or commercial facility. Solar is expensive up front, but pays for itself. When oil prices rise, renewable energy becomes more viable.

- What role should the Government play in encouraging Alternative Energy development?

We think that the federal gov. should play a leadership role, as well as the state government. A lot of states and municipalities were taking a leading role rather than the federal government before the Obama administration.

Response #16 to "A Dozen Bad Things About Alternative Energy"

The point of this article is that alternative energy, while important, is definetly not the number one priority. It gives a list of twelve things which cost less than developing alternative energy, and give results faster. (Some of them.) The majority rely on a government mandate, which I found out was essentially an order, which would be supported by taxpayers money. Some of them make sense, such as teaching energy education in schools. This makes sense because when you teach about energy you not only encourage using it efficient, but at the same time you also teach about math and science. Another one is to mandate residential energy efficiency, like insulated doors,CFL light bulbs and more efficient attic fans. This article makes the point that common sense trumps expensive new ways of getting energy, with the problem with the article being the fact that it only states ways to become more efficient, not to actually produce more energy.

Notes on "A Dozen Bad Things About Alternative Energy"

Is alternative energy priority #1? No.

One of the reasons so much attention is on alternative energy right now is that it is new, exciting.

"So here are some really boring, uncool steps the government and individuals can take to make a significant difference that will save money, energy, and the environment … quicker than just about anything else."

1. Mandate residential energy efficiency

2. Mandate highly efficient water heaters

3. Mandate CFL light bulbs

4. Mandate recycling of aluminum cans

5. Mandate displays of MPG usage

6. Mandate capture of rain water from gutters

7. Mandate extreme energy efficiency on new construction

8. Incentivize carpooling, virtual conferencing

9. Mandate meters that show energy usage for appliances

10. Mandate purchase of hybrid public transportation

11. Eat less meat

12. Educate about energy in school

Response #15 to An Overview of DIY (Do It Yourself) Solar Panels"

As stated in my notes, solar power is easily the most available energy resource available. This is important, but the positive effects are diminished by the fact that solar panels are very expensive, or at least professionals charge a lot for the installation of them. DIY, which stands for do it yourself, is a term applied to many things, and one of those is home built solar panels. There are a number of online guides which show you how to make your own for hundreds of dollars less. They might not look pretty, and they don't produce enough energy to provide power for a big house like a mansion, but then again they are designed for accessibility by the middle. Right now price is the single reason why solar power is not much more widespread, and the DIY attitude is what is needed to significantly deter global warming.