The document proposes reducing dependence on fossil fuels by increasing use of nuclear power, renewable energy, and more efficient transportation and buildings. It suggests using nuclear power for electricity generation, ships, and potentially trains. Renewable energy like solar, wind, and biomass can offset fossil fuel usage for power and transportation. More efficient cars, use of biofuels and electric vehicles also reduce fossil fuel demand. Improving building energy generation and usage through solar, wind, and better insulation contributes. However, plastics remain challenging as they heavily rely on natural gas. Overall, a variety of solutions can significantly lower but may not fully eliminate fossil fuel dependence.

1. Proposal Essay 1
Proposal Essay
Kevin Laybourn
Western Governors University

2. Proposal Essay 2
Proposal Essay
The world runs on a lot of energy. In fact in 1997 the world produced approximately 130
quadrillion BTU of Energy from oil, 80 quadrillion was from BTU from coal, and 70 quadrillion BTU
from natural gas. (Towards Sustainable Energy, By Alison Riddell, Steve Ronson, Glenn Counts, Kurt).
That is a problem. As it stands right now, it would seem fossil fuels are a limited resource (Wikipedia
Peak oil 2016). They are also probably are the number one contributor to global warming (Wikipedia
Fossil fuel 2016). If our civilization is to survive past the 21st Century, we will need to at least lower
our dependence on fossil fuels, and hopefully eliminate its need. It will take many different
technologies, Such as Nuclear, Wind, Solar, Biomass, and others to lessen our dependence on fossil
fuels.
As most of our Fossil Fuel usage comes from power generation, Nuclear Fission would be a
good place to start. It already composes 10% of the total worldwide power generation (Wikipedia
Nuclear power 2016). Nuclear Power dose not release any carbon dioxide. Although nuclear waste is
an issue there have been vast improvements in the storage and processing of such waste. Also with
current carbon offset and carbon tax programs, the high capital investment that goes into building
nuclear power plants may be offset (Wikipedia Nuclear power 2016). In order to reduce or eliminate
fossil fuels, nuclear will have to be part of that bigger effort.
Another possible area that nuclear power could be used is in the freight industry. Obviously it
would not be a herculean effort to switch sea going vessels from diesel engines to nuclear powered.
Although there would be a massive capital outlay, fuel savings would offset the cost. Most first world
navies run nuclear powered fleets. The Former Soviet and current Russian company Rosatomflot runs

3. Proposal Essay 3
ten nuclear vessels, which compose of nine icebreakers and one cargo vessel with an ice breaking bow
(Wikipedia Nuclear-powered icebreaker 2016). Trains would be the next target. The easiest way
would be to retrofit locomotives with the dual ability to run on Diesel and electricity. This is already
implemented in parts of the world (Wikipedia Electric locomotive 2016). The idea of a nuclear
powered locomotive has been looked into, but may be harder to implement the electrification idea
(Sanders Nuclear Powered Trains 2015). These ideas will definitely help lower our dependence on
fossil fuels and are technologies already available.
Automobiles are another big user in the fossil fuels arena. There have been already leaps and
bounds in this arena. More and more cars are being sold as either hybrid cars or electric. Electric cars
are beginning to match the range of gasoline powered cars. The ones that aren’t hybrids are becoming
more and more efficient and can use both fossil fuels and organic fuels as a source. Older gasoline
vehicles can be retrofitted to run on dual fuel system for gasoline or ethanol. Older Diesel Vehicles
will run on any oil of sufficient power with no modification. That can be vegetable oil, nut oil, biomass
oil product, or any petrochemical fuel that suitable enough. The automotive industry is already on a
path to cleaner and alternative fuels.
Offsetting power Generation at the residential and commercial building side will also help
reducing Fossil Fuel generation. Using solar panels and micro wind turbines will reduce or offset
power usage. Small wind turbines can generate anywhere from 1 to 300 KW (Wikipedia Small wind
turbine 2016). Solar installations can vary between 1 to 4 KW at the residential level to 0.25 to 2 MW
on a commercial building install (Wikipedia Solar panel 2016). Although these technologies are great
at offsetting use, they are dependent on the weather. Solar panels work best when there is enough

4. Proposal Essay 4
sunlight available to generate power. Windmills need wind to generate power. These Technologies are
great for reducing dependence on fossil fuels, but will not eliminate the need for power plants.
This leaves, last but not least, the plastics industry. This will be the hard one. Most of the
feedstock for new plastic is from natural gas, in fact 82% of it is (U.S. Energy Information
Administration, How much oil is used to make plastic? 2016). Most of our modern materials are
derived from some form of polymer or plastic. Although natural gas can also be created from landfills
and Biomass generators, the fossil fuel natural gas available, compared to coal or oil, is massive. Even
with heavy government taxation on natural gas, it still might be cheaper to use the fossil fuel version of
natural gas. There has been inroads using soy and hemp to help make plastics, but the procedure is
limited to rubber type plastics. As time goes on, we will need to find a way to either lessen our need
for plastic or find an alternative to feed our need for it.
With all these combined efforts, our dependence on fossil fuels will significantly lessen. We
can look to a cleaner world with still having plenty of power available to use. It is still unknown if we
will ever eliminate our usage of fossil fuels, but if we can reduce them significantly, we will be better
off. It will take all kinds of different technology, like nuclear, wind, solar, biogas, and others to get us
there. Also as new technologies come along, like nuclear fusion, hopefully they will help us continue
to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

5. Proposal Essay 5
References
By Alison Riddell, Steve Ronson, Glenn Counts, Kurt. (n.d.).
Towards Sustainable Energy: The current Fossil Fuel problem and the prospects of Geothermal
and Nuclear power. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from
http://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/trade_environment/energy/hfossil.html
Fossil fuel. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel
How much oil is used to make plastic? (2016, April 25).

6. Proposal Essay 6
Retrieved September 18, 2016, from http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=34&t=6
Electric locomotive. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_locomotive
Nuclear power. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
Nuclear power. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
Nuclear-powered icebreaker. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_icebreaker
Peak oil. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
Sanders, C. (2015, March 20). Nuclear Powered Trains.
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2015/ph241/sanders1/
Small wind turbine. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_wind_turbine
Solar panel (n.d.)
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel

7. Proposal Essay 6
Retrieved September 18, 2016, from http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=34&t=6
Electric locomotive. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_locomotive
Nuclear power. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
Nuclear power. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
Nuclear-powered icebreaker. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_icebreaker
Peak oil. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
Sanders, C. (2015, March 20). Nuclear Powered Trains.
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2015/ph241/sanders1/
Small wind turbine. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_wind_turbine
Solar panel (n.d.)
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel