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Lexie Hennelly
Mrs. Pettay
English 111, 2A
19 October 2016
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, in 2015 67% of
electricity generated in America was from fossil fuels, which includes coal, natural gas, and
petroleum. Over the past 10 years the U.S. has increased their consumption of energy. As we
increase the use of fossil fuels, energy sources such as coal will eventually run out. The 2016
Election will be critical in resolving the issue of Americas depleting energy sources. Each
candidate has a different view of how they are going to fix the problem. Hillary Clinton and
Donald Trump both make a plan that will save energy and help our environment; however,
Clinton believes in continuing what has already been implemented, while Trump plans to
redesign.
Hillary Clintons goal is to continue and build off of unfinished energy plans created by
President Obama. As Clintons campaign website explains, Hillary Clinton believes that we can
tackle climate change by making America the worlds clean energy superpower. Her goal is to
transition from coal to natural gas, which she says will build a clean energy economy. The
pledge President Obama made at the Paris Climate Conference, Clinton plans on continuing
through reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% in 2025 from the original levels in
2005. Her campaign websites states that she will ensure safe and responsible energy production
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through the transition of coal to natural gas. Using the EPAs Clean Power Plan, Clinton says
that the clean energy transition will reduce carbon pollution. She aims to defend, implement, and
extend smart pollution and efficiency standards, including the Clean Power Plan and standards
for cars, trucks, and appliances. Hillary Clinton realizes that the United States fossil fuels,
especially coal, are not going to last forever. She is trying to use alternate energy sources now,
including natural gas, to slow down the depletion of Americas energy. In contrast, Trump is
willing to use all fossil fuels that are available, but is not proposing a full transition to only
Donald Trumps plan is to redesign Obamas existing energy usage strategy. As Trumps
campaign website explains, he believes the U.S. should tap into the $50 trillion of American
unused shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, plus coal reserves. He says he aims to become and
stay totally independent from importing energy from the OPEC cartel or any other nation that is
hostile to our interests. In order to create millions of new jobs and protect clean air, Donald
Trump plans to make America energy independent. Trump will encourage the use of natural gas
and other American energy resources because these resources will both reduce emissions and the
price of energy, while increasing our economic output. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both
plan on using natural gas for energy resources; however, in addition to natural gas, Trump plans
to keep using the resources that are still available like coal and petroleum.
Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have a plan to regulate Americas energy
resources. Clinton aims to keep building off of President Obamas past energy plans, while
Trump is looking forward to a fresh start. Clinton believes that a total transition to natural gas
would help the United States by reducing carbon pollution and the extending the coal reserves.
Trump plans to keep using the remaining energy resources, including coal, while the U.S. still
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has them, but at the same time encourage the use of natural gas. The candidates have a tough
decision to make revolving around energy resources. Their decisions on the use of energy will
affect many laborers who work in coal mines. Coal mining jobs will be lost with the decrease in
the use of coal, but there will be an increase of jobs in the natural gas industry with the energy
transition. However, job growth will remain unchanged if the U.S. is using the same resources
as they are now. The use of energy in the future will also be transformed. If Clintons plan is
implemented then the United States could be primarily using natural gas for energy in the future,
but if Trumps plan is applied then the U.S. will be using up the remaining fossil fuels. With the
continuing depletion of fossil fuels, Americans should be informed about which candidates
policy would be best fit for the future usage of energy resources.
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Works Cited
"Hillary Clinton 2016." Hillary Clinton 2016. Hillary for America, 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
"Energy." Make America Great Again! Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., 2016. Web. 21 Oct.
2016.
"U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis." What Is
U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source? U.S. Department of Energy, 1 Apr. 2016.