Nonrenewable Resources

• Much of the energy in the United States is produced using nonrenewable resources, or resources present in the environment in finite amounts. Such resources, which include petroleum, coal and natural gas, were created over millions of years. They are currently being removed at a much faster rate than they are being produced, meaning that they will eventually be depleted. Before that happens, it will become increasingly more expensive to extract them, as easily accessible supplies dwindle.
  
  

Pollution

• Burning nonrenewable resources for energy produces pollution and increases greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide trap the sun's heat inside the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. Other substances, like sulfur dioxide, are also released by burning nonrenewable fuels. Some of these substances can cause water pollution and produce acid rain or smog. In general, renewable resources like solar and wind power also produce less pollution, or no pollution.
  
  

Energy Importation

• The United States imports much of its petroleum from other countries, and that consumption is increasing -- oil imports have increased 49 percent since 1996. Much of the world's petroleum comes from the Middle East, an area with significant hostility toward the United States. Furthermore, the Mideast is an area of increasing political instability. Any disruption of oil supplies or sudden increase in prices results in economic strain for the country, making energy independence from foreign producers an attractive goal in terms of economic security.
  
  

Cost of Renewable Resource Development

• Because the infrastructure and technology for renewable energy are not as extensive or well-developed as for more traditional energy resources, renewable energy is often more expensive. To plan ahead for the time when nonrenewable resources become scarce and costly, the United States needs to invest in this infrastructure ahead of time, even though current prices for nonrenewable resources are lower. Federal and state governments have several initiatives in place to support renewable resources, and individuals in many areas can choose to purchase green energy from their utility companies at slightly higher rates.