U.S. Energy Mix

Could you please help me with a 6-8 page research paper in APA format with citations and references on the U.S. energy mix and renewable energy/technology options; present, past and future. Here is a copy of the guidelines for the assignment:

Overview

This research paper is on the energy mix of the United States.We have reviewed 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

Throughout its history, the United States has used a variety of energy sources. The use of these sources has changed over time, typically spanning decades. The United States currently gets roughly 80% of its energy from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. However, in the decades ahead there will be huge pressures to change due to the following:

 Non-renewable resources becoming harder to find and extract Environmental effects, like global warming, worsening from the continued use of fossil fuels  Prices of increasingly scarce resources becoming too high for the consumer market

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 research paper that reviews past and current energy use, and presents your vision of what the U.S. energy mix should be in 2050. Incorporate what you have learned in this course, as well as your independent investigation.

Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below:

• 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 nonrenewable 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. C. Explain the issues with the current U.S. energy mix and the effect on the environment. Cite your sources.
• II. Proposed Mix A. Describe what you think the 2050 U.S. energy mix should be (with approximate percentages adding up to 100%). B. Justify why this mix is desirable and feasible in relation to the future attributes mentioned in the prompt. Support your justification by citing appropriate resources. C. Formulate the pathway for the United States to get to your suggested mix. Explain what changes will need to be made socially, politically, and to the infrastructure to support your proposed mix. Cite your sources.
• III. Research A. Integrate and apply concepts and resources from course modules, citing appropriate sources. B. Incorporate information from at least 3 relevant and appropriate external resources (industry assessments, government resources, and/or scholarly articles), citing appropriate sources.