Thomas Komjathy

The Modern Patriot: a Voter's Guide to U.s. Energy Policy Thomas Komjathy

Have you ever found yourself thinking about any of the following questions?¿ Are today's gas prices the result of gouging by oil companies, and will they ever return to "normal"?¿ Is global warming really happening, and if so, how urgent is the need for action?¿ When, if ever, will hydrogen-powered cars become practical?¿ Will the U. S. government allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?¿ What caused "the blackout" of 2003, and what has been done to prevent it from happening again?If the answer is "yes", then you have an interest in energy policy, perhaps even without knowing it. Energy policy is arguably the most important social issue of our time, because of its profound implications for our economy, our national security, and our environment. The Modern Patriot presents an unbiased, concise, and accessible overview of energy issues facing the U. S., with the intent of developing informed "consumers" of energy policy who are well equipped to lead our nation into the future. Readers of The Modern Patriot will discover that:¿ Although a "hydrogen economy" offers exciting potential for pollution-free energy, several major technical hurdles must first be overcome. For example, hydrogen does not occur freely in its elemental form on earth - in fact, today's most economical way to produce it uses fossil-fuel feedstock. ¿ Far more radioactive material is released annually to the environment from the combustion of coal than from the operation of nuclear power plants.¿ Modern-day atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher than they have been at any time in the past 400,000 years. ¿ Approximately 40,000 Americans are killed each year in traffic-accidents, while no fatalities occurred during the infamous Three-Mile Island