Oil
The United States consumes about 25% of all petroleum produced worldwide, but must import more than half of its oil from other countries. In addition to the devastating effects it has on local ecosystems, drilling for oil generates large amounts of waste and carries the risk of spills that pollute oceans and soil alike.
Identifying Viable Fuel Sources
One of the most effective tools for comparing different sources of energy and measuring the profability of each is the Energy Profit Ratio (EPR), the ratio of energy output to input. The current EPR for oil is currently 15:1—meaning that it would require one barrel of oil (energy equivalent) to discover, extract, refine and transport 15 barrels to market. Down from 100:1 in the 1940s, today's EPR indicates that far less of this fossil fuel is available.
Energy Profit Ratios of Commonly Known Energy Sources:
| Coal | 10:1 | Nuclear | 4:1 | |
| Corn Ethanol | 1.35:1 | Oil | 15:1 | |
| Hydropower | 11:1 | Solar Photovoltaic | 5:1 to 10:1 | |
| Natural Gas | 10:1 | Wind | 50:1 |
As the EPR of oil continues to decrease, the U.S. will have to find a way of using vastly less energy per capita than we’ve become accustomed to; this is especially true in the heavily oil-dependent Northeast. Contact Lantern Energy to find your alternative today.
