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residents and the campus community do
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using the recycle center on campus to
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Forty-Niner
New energy plan can use student help
By Keng Baloco-Wong
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
As the technology era progresses, scientists continue to come up with more creative
ways to use science and technology to generate more energy sources which, according
to President George W. Bush, will be the answer to solving the United States
long-term energy crisis.
Although Bush and his administration reduced funds to the Department of Energy
in 2002, forcing them to cut back on basic research programs that study potential
growth of solar, wind and other renewable energy programs, he promised to invest
more money in these programs during the state of the union address where he outlined
his proposal regarding possible solutions for the energy crisis.
Bush called his plan the “Advanced Energy Initiative” in which he
would “push for breakthroughs in two vital areas”—vehicles
and buildings.
In his 2007 budget proposal Bush is asking Congress to approve millions of dollars
for energy research. He plans to invest $281 million to develop technologies
for clean coal, $148 million to further develop solar energy potentials, $44
million for researching wind energy, $150 million to find more efficient ways
to produce ethanol, $30 million in plug-in hybrids and $280 million in hydrogen-run
cars.
Richard Behl, professor of geological sciences at Cal State Long Beach, said
Bush is focusing on supplying more energy rather than conserving our current
energy sources. Behl is concerned with the long-term effects that burning fossil
fuels will have on our environment.
“
It’s a good step but the program ignores conservation,” Behl said. “We
need to do much more than Bush proposed.”
According to Behl, students need to consider the amount of energy they use on
a regular basis and try to cut back.
“
Carpool, take the bus or walk when you can,” he said.
Behl also suggests students buy cars that use less gas.
Stuart R. Berryhill, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, agrees with Behl
and said Bush’s plan will not fix the current energy crisis.
“
Those things take a significant amount of time to develop,” he said.
Berryhill also said those programs could possibly help in the long run if they
are approached seriously. He said usually the “government tends to drop” those
programs.
Berryhill suggests students find ways use less gas and to use their resources
productively.
“
People don’t realize how much energy they are using,” he said.
He also pointed out there are recycling programs on campus as well as a recycling
center open to the public.
Senior Sila Barr is conscious of the current problem facing our country and said
she is doing her part to help conserve energy sources.
“
I recycle paper, cans, bottles, most anything,” she said.
Senior Maritza Marquez takes advantage of the recycling center on campus. She
also rides the bus to school and does a lot of walking.
“
We can’t just blame the government for the depletion of our environment
or for the current energy crisis,” she said. “We can all do our
part to help the situation.”
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