 |
No significant quantity of fossil fuels is
imported to generate electricity. We do not import any natural gas or
coal. |
|
Oil is used to generate only 1.6 % of
electricity so electrical generation is not a factor in our dependence on
foreign oil |
|
92% of Uranium used by utilities to generate
electricity in the US is imported at an annual cost of about $1.8 Billion.(2009
price and 2008 tonnage)
http://www.uranium.info (Uranium has more than doubled in
price since 2006 with no noticeable effect on electric bills and remains the
cheapest source of electricity) |
|
Crude oil imports currently exceed an average
of 400 million barrels per month. At $50 per barrel that would be an
annual cost of $240 billion.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbbl_m.htm
So the negative balance of payments for electrical generation (nuclear)
is small compared to oil. |
|
Renewable energy includes
hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass. Of the 2.5% "Other
Renewables" shown in the pie chart below, most is geothermal mainly because there
are two large power plants that use the same subterranean heat source to run
turbines that
mother nature uses to create geysers . A very small percentage is solar or wind.
|
|
Solar and Wind as renewable energy sources are
the most unreliable. There is no service when the wind does not blow or
the sun does not shine (like every night) Until some means of storing
massive amounts of electricity are developed, solar and wind generators will
not be cost effective. |
|
Solar and Wind will not replace one kilowatt of
fossil fuel power generation for a utility. If nature's source is not available the
choice is do without power or have the full generating capacity available with conventional
fossil fuel plants. So dual capital investment and maintenance is required in order to use "free" renewable fuel. To date the free
renewable energy source is more expensive to deliver even when tax subsidies
are applied. At present these tax subsidies are good for 10 years - about 2/3
the life of a wind generator (15 years). |
Oil
In the United States, 70% of oil is used for
transportation and 24% for Industrial products. To reduce our dependence
on foreign oil we must reduce the use of oil in these sectors of energy use or
develop our own oil resources - or both.
The Political Rhetoric That Generating
Electricity With Renewable Energy Sources Will Relieve the Dependence of the
United States on Foreign Oil is
Totally False.
Down
Load a Two Page White Paper on This Subject By Clicking Here
OIL FACTOIDS:
