Use of renewable energy sources is increasing worldwide and United States is not likely to lag behind in this. In its annual long-term forecast on energy utilization, the Energy Information Administration said on Wedneday that reliance on ethanol and other renewable energy sources would be doubled by 2030.
This is encouraging news for environment conservationists who are constantly striving to encourage the use of renewable energy sources. However, despite increase in use of ethanol, wind and solar powers, renewable sources will form only a small portion of the total energy production pie. In 2030, 83% of total energy requirement of US will be met from fossil fuels – petroleum, coal and natural gas. There will only be a meager 2% increase in consumption of renewable energy.
This shows that on the larger scale the emission of greenhouse gases will actually increase in absolute terms over the period and beyond. Rising price of petroleum, gas and coal would be the only blessing in disguise to switch energy use from fossil fuels to cleaner sources. After 2010 US tariffs on imported ethanol shipments is expected to expire. This is likely to help reduction in ethanol prices and increase its use.
The US administration should formulate policies that will encourage energy production from hitherto untapped sources especially hydroelectric power that is currently largely under utilized.
Source:Reuters
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