| It is estimated that our natural resources | | | | that they are running. That is not very |
| will be completely depleted within the next | | | | efficient, but we are on the right track, |
| 150 years. It is because of this that we as a | | | | things just need improvement. |
| society need to be actively searching for | | | | |
| sources of alternative energy. | | | | Another problem I see with wind turbines is |
| | | | the amount of profit many companies stand to |
| Alternative energy, whether it is used to | | | | make for putting them in. Individuals are |
| replace fuels such as coal, or to reduce our | | | | making millions off of this and that is just |
| reliance on petroleum based fuels; | | | | not right when our well-being is at stake. |
| alternative energy is one of the most | | | | |
| important issues facing society today. | | | | However, if you're interested in using wind |
| | | | power as your own source of alternative |
| The two most common types of alternative | | | | energy, it is a viable option. Many farms and |
| energy are: | | | | rural communities use these wind turbines to |
| | | | power themselves. In smaller numbers, the |
| * Wind power | | | | cost of building the turbines pays for itself |
| | | | relatively quickly. But wind energy is only |
| * Solar power | | | | one form of alternative energy. Next, we will |
| | | | look at using solar power as an alternative |
| Both of these alternative energy sources are | | | | power source. |
| harnessed from natural resources, and as such | | | | |
| are completely free. Only the equipment and | | | | Solar Power |
| technology cost money, and over time as we | | | | |
| advance the costs should be reduced. | | | | Solar power is alternative energy derived |
| | | | from the power of the sun. Solar energy is |
| It is these free sources of alternative | | | | also completely free, except for the cost of |
| energy that we should be pursuing with the | | | | installing the equipment necessary to convert |
| most fervency, so that, eventually, energy | | | | the sun's rays into usable electricity. This |
| can be available to all regardless of income. | | | | equipment is becoming less and less expensive |
| Below we will take a look at these two most | | | | every day. Solar power generally ends up |
| common sources of alternative energy. | | | | paying for itself within the first few years. |
| | | | |
| Wind Power | | | | The equipment needed to use solar power as an |
| | | | alternative energy source for your home can |
| Wind power, while a free source of | | | | be bought at virtually any home improvement |
| alternative energy, would be the most costly | | | | store, and can usually be installed in just a |
| type of renewable energy to power our nation. | | | | few hours. If you don't feel comfortable |
| This is largely in part to the fact that we | | | | doing it yourself, there are a great number |
| must first place wind turbines across the | | | | of contractors available who can install your |
| country, in enough numbers to provide | | | | solar panels and generators for you. |
| electricity to communities nationwide, even | | | | |
| in areas where the wind velocity is not as | | | | Regardless of which type of alternative |
| strong. The cost of building enough of these | | | | energy you choose to use in your own home, |
| turbines to harness the wind's alternative | | | | the fact remains that we must find a |
| energy would be staggering. | | | | renewable source of energy soon, or be at |
| | | | risk of losing the few natural resources we |
| Also these wind turbines are very unsightly | | | | have left to burn. Contact your Congressman |
| and would ruin very beautiful and scenic | | | | today, and ask what is being done to find a |
| parts of the country. It should also be noted | | | | good source of alternative energy; and what |
| that they only produce power 1/8 of the time | | | | you can do to help. |