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Keith Uy
Rogers
U.S. Government
8 October 2015
Mock Congress Research Paper
The U.S. government no longer needs to fund the oil industry. We as a country
need to think about our future. Oil is a non-renewable energy source and will eventually
run out. The government aide going into the oil industry should be used to support an
alternative energy. Governments worldwide still subsidize the fossil fuel industry with
over $600 billion, giving this aging industry five times the subsidy that went to
renewables (Brown et al. 15). The imbalance in government aide needs to be corrected
because the funding is no longer needed in these industries. The subsidy shift will focus
our resources towards an endless power source. An industry that can supply our need for
an infinite power source is the solar industry. Solar energy converts energy from sunlight,
and sunlight is as reliable as sources come. However, the U.S. Government is mistakenly
supplying the oil industry. This is illogical due to the fact that the oil industry is already
well established and no longer needs the money. Using the government subsidies from
the oil industry, we can establish solar energy as one of the main sources of energy. The
government support for the oil industry should be devoted to the development of solar
energy because oil itself has depleted, the industry has matured past government aide, and
the environment must be conserved.
The United States has been drilling oil for thousands of years and it is depleting
rapidly, especially now with technologies latest advancements. Fossil fuels are a major

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source of energy all around the world. However they are not a dependable one. Current
oil supplies in all nations combined would last the world for only about 41 years
(Chandler). There is no need to fund research for a dead-end. Yes, we may be able to
preserve it a little while longer, but it is in our best interest to have a new and futuristic
resource for the United States. Another fact to keep in mind is that the United States gets
84% of its total energy from oil, coal, and natural gas, all of which are fossil fuels (The
National Academics). We cannot rely on fossil fuels due to the fact that they are
depleting. Our country is in need of a new energy source that can replace 84% of our total
energy. If we procrastinate, the United States will be unable to sustain itself. Our nation
must speed up the development of solar energy to replace fossil fuels. Oil subsidies must
be transferred from the matured oil industry into the growing solar energy.
Oil is a well-established industry and no longer needs funding from the
government. It is one of the oldest industries and has an immense profit margin, In the
first nine months of 2013, the five largest oil companies--BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips,
ExxonMobil, and Shell-- earned a combined $71 billion in profits (Weiss). The oil
industry can support itself with its income and no longer needs the government to hold its
hand. It can stand on its own without the aid of the government. Another fact to keep in
mind is that as of July 2014, Oil Change International estimates U.S. fossil fuel subsidies
at $37.5 billion annually (Fossil Fuel Subsidies). This is an additional $37.5 billion to
their $71 billion profits. The oil industry makes an incredible amount of money on its
own, and the government subsidies are just going into the pockets of business owners.
The money aiding oil should be used to develop a cleaner energy source.

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The switch in government subsidies is required to preserve the environment. If we
can develop solar energy, we will be able to replace fossil fuels with a cleaner source of
energy. A study from NASA states that scientists have high confidence that global
temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gasses
produced by human activities (Current and Future Climate Change Effects). A few
degrees may not sound like a big deal, but its an unusual event in our planets recent
history. To stop this, United States needs to take action on cleaning the
environment. The combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to transport
people and goods is the second largest source of CO2 emissions, accounting for about
31% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 26% of total U.S. (Carbon Dioxide Emissions). Oil
is a fossil fuel that when burned, releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Global
warming has been increasing over the years and one of the main causes is the destructive
energy sources that are heavily used. The research and development of solar energy will
help decrease this carbon emission and protect the environment. Although far from being
fully developed, a 1.5 Kilowatt PV system will keep more than 110,000 pounds of carbon
dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, out of the atmosphere over the next 25 years
(Renewable Energy). This is just one system that takes up fifteen square feet on a roof.
Imagine if we were able to develop this even further. The system would be smaller and
more efficient. We would be able to clean out the air pollution in the atmosphere,
protecting the environment. This switch in subsidies is needed to save the environment.
Two major objections about solar energy are that they wont be able to supply the
United States because one, they are not sufficient enough to supply the entire United
States and two, they are incompetent because they cannot work without sunlight. For

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those who believe that solar energy is not sufficient, the calculations prove otherwise.
PV panels on just 0.6 percent of the nations total land area could supply enough
electricity to power the entire United States (Solar Energy in the United States). If we
can further improve solar energy, we could further lower the land usage. The U.S. can
power itself on a renewable energy source. Current PV panels can actually put out a
surplus of energy for the United States. Seven southwestern states have the technical
potential and land area to cite CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) to supply more than four
times the current U.S. annual electricity demand (Solar Energy in the United States).
These are under developed systems that can create an output of four times the current
annual electricity demand. Imagine what a fully developed system could do. For those
who believe that solar energy will not work due to the inconsistency of the sun, there is
extensive research being done to create a storage unit. The research now includes
advanced batteries; ultra capacitors, which store and discharge energy quickly; fuel cells;
and control modules, which help reduce energy consumption (NYSERDA). These
technologies will reduce the need for fossil fuels in transportation, create a more efficient
energy grid and make greater use of solar energy. With an increase in subsidies for the
solar industry, the United States can make these energy storages more efficient and more
affordable.
The shift in subsidies is absolutely paramount to the future well being of the
United States. Oil is already scarce; its time is running out. By making the changes, our
country can start investing in an energy source to help replace oil. The oil industry is far
beyond its need for the governments aide. It is an industry that has existed for years and
can stand on its own. This subsidy shift will help preserve the environment by lowering

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the carbon dioxide amount in the atmosphere and advancing a new energy source. The
subsidy shift will bring America into the future, but we cannot delay. We must be swift
and absolute in our efforts. The time to move forward is now.