Imagine you are an official with the Department of Energy and are in the budgeting process for alternative energy research. Decide where you would invest money and explain why you made your choice. What do you think the political repercussions of your decision would be? Why?

Coal-burning electric power plants in the Midwest have contributed to acid rain in the eastern United States. Other energy sources would most likely be costlier than coal, thereby raising electricity rates. Should citizens in eastern states be able to pressure utility companies in the Midwest to change their method of generating electricity? What mechanisms might be available to make these changes? How effective are these mechanisms?

What percent of world energy comes from renewable energy sources?