Alan Twigg, Station Manager at local biofuel station Sequential Fuels, discusses with me the many ways his company promotes sustainability.

This course was very eye-opening for me in that it gave me a much clearer view about how much work goes into multimedia. While I have made videos for fun in the past, I have never conducted an interview, made an audio story, or taken photos seriously before. The class has also made it much easier for me to call and contact people.  It became much easier to do as the term went on.

As i made these projects, I learned some very valuable lessons. The first is how important it is when working with projects on other people to plan ahead. Also, to never expect the project to turn out quite like you imagine it will. While I know this wasnt the case for everyone, I had extreme difficulty in getting possible subjects to even reply to me. However, the people I were able to reach were extremely helpful and I appreciate all of their work. It taught me how even simply replying is much appreciated.

The course also has given me a much greater respect to professionals working with multimedia. While I have never doubted that audio, photos, and video is an art, I have never had this kind of experience trying to create these kinds of mediums and the work that goes into creating them. School has always been focused on reading and writing for projects and only every once in a while are you assigned to create a project through these mediums.

Finally, I learned a great number of tips in working with audio, photo, and video. My approach to thinking about these kinds of media has changed. I now think more critically about how I use these mediums, what I want to capture, in what angle and lighting, and think about sequencing. Even looking back over the assignment I have done in the past few weeks I see all these ways in which I would have captured my footage differently.

                    This is an institutional source by the Institute for Local Government. It describes what they believe local officials should look at when it comes to fuel efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles. It discusses the pros of using any type of vehicle that is not petroleum based and its benefits for the community while not addressing the cons. The author of the article is the ILG and it was originally published in the November 2008 issue of Western Civilization Magazine. Having accessed the site in early November it hasn’t changed since my initial visit. The audience is local officials and also citizens, to persuade them to want their officials to look at alternative fuels. The article is funded by the ILG. Sources are heavily used and are mostly links to government websites, while various links at the bottom connect to websites discussing the specs of different types of hybrid cars. These sources solidify their arguments by providing positive examples and facts. This is useful because it gives facts to back up the data and comes from a reliable source. I chose this article because it actually provides ideas of what we can do for a more energy efficient future and its positive effects.

#2 http://sqbiofuels.blogspot.com/

                     Alan Twigg, Station Manager of Sequential Fuels, gave me good insight into biofuels role in our transportation fuel future. He talked about how the essential part in biofuels is the source in which they come from and discussed with me other topics surrounding the issue. This is a citizen source because it was an interview I recorded with an audio recorder October 28^th at 2:30 p.m. Biofuels are a huge part of the debate and Alan was very knowledgeable about current events. He gave me handouts and referenced me to the company’s website and blog that gave me links to other organizations and news surrounding biofuels. The audiences are those who are already involved in the biofuel culture and those who could potentially be persuaded to switch to biofuels. The source is very influential locally because they are a local business and are trying to inform the public of their services and the importance of it. Sources he used were local businesses, laws, and personal experiences with the company. I chose this source because he really shaped my understanding of the current issue with biofuels, both the positive and negative aspects. This interview is useful in my argument because he explained the positive factors coming out of experimenting with biofuels.

#3 http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4279508.html

                  This is a journalistic source because it comes from the magazine Popular Mechanics. It was originally published in the September 2008 edition of the magazine and I accessed the site in early November 2009. The article shows that while it will be a slow and complex process, alternative fuels will “become cost-effective gradually, as the market shifts.” It explains how biofuels, electricity and even hydrogen have their part in the future and instead of choosing one we need to continue refining our technologies in all areas. The author is Jennifer Bogo with additional reporting being contributed. Sources include scientists, researchers, experts, and auto companies. The sources are all highly credible and are mostly quotes instead of links to something written.  The magazine is funded by automobile and technology companies. Anyone has access to the site, subscribers had access to it initially when it appeared in the magazine, and their whole readership is the intended audience. The article can be very influential because readers trust the magazine. This article is useful because it provides many aspects and views towards the debate, has strong sources and discusses exactly the issue I am doing by looking at where the issue is going to go.

#4 http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/hybrid_electric.html

                This is an institutional source from the Department of Energy Website. The source includes information on what the government and each state is doing concerning the different alternative fuel sources. This website and the Department of Energy itself is referenced to in most articles concerning alternative fuels. Sources it includes are all institutional, describing laws and government documents of the issue. This causes sources to not be diverse in type but easy to link. The website is funded by the US government and its audience is its citizens. With such a large audience, this source is highly influential and their actions are a huge aspect of the debate on what we should do. This article is useful because government leaves a huge amount of paper trail, and includes a great variety of related links. Being issued from the government makes it highly credible that its content is accurate. I chose this article because the government is referred to heavily, make up the laws that affect the issue, and have a big role in and influence in the debate.

#5 http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/21330840-41/story.csp

                    This is a journalistic source from the Register Guard, a local newspaper. It talks about Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s plan to seriously implement electric cars and accompanying charging stations into Oregon roadways. The article was written by David Steeves and appeared in the Oct. 11^th issue of the paper. Sources include Gov. Kulongoski, ecoworld.com, local professionals and experts, and sources from the Department of Energy. The sources are diverse and backup the articles argument. The audience is taxpayers and those who are wondering if electric cars could be the future transportation fuel. The Register-Guard and Kulongoski have a huge following locally and can be very influential to their followers. Government is the one paying for these new fuels and implementing them. The article itself was funded by the Register-Guard. It has an impact on the debate locally because it is getting people to think more seriously of an alternative fuel being a major fuel source a reality. I chose this source because it discusses a plan of what we can do in the future and the issues people have with electric cars; even the Department of Energy called the plan “too futuristic.”

#6 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/science/28batt.html?_r=1

                     This is a journalistic source from the New York Times, a world-renown newspaper. The article discusses the issues surrounding batteries that would charge electric cars. There are many factors into the battery and the article does a good job of summarizing them and the current events surrounding the issue. The article was written by Matthew L. Wald and was published July 27^th, 2009. Sources include International Battery, the Obama Administration, battery experts, government sources, and Consumer Reports Magazine. They are very diverse and the quotes are effective in telling about the issue. The New York Times funded the article. The audiences are those in the auto industry and everyone who is looking into the issue of alternative fuels. Those interested in the battery of an electric car will find value in the article as well. The New York Times is always a very influential source because it is a world famous newspaper. Having the article available online also increases the audience to all readers of the newspapers printed paper and website. This article is useful because it comes from an established newspaper and gives me great information on the biggest issue surrounding electric vehicles.

#7 http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1701221,00.html

                    This is a journalistic article from the Time Magazine website. The most important aspect of biofuels is the source in which they come from. The article explains how we are slowly finding more efficient ways to find sources for biofuels. The article was written by Bryan Walsh and was posted to the website on January 7th, 2008. Sources the article includes are biofuel revolutionaries like Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S. Department of Agriculture, private companies developing technologies, and Scientists at the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo. They are very diverse and help strengthen the articles points. The article is funded by the magazine and the audiences are those who are turned away from biofuels because they believe they are effecting out agriculture economy. The article will be influential because it is coming from an established magazine that is listened to by its readers. I chose this article because it is useful in addressing the most pressing issue with biofuels today. It gives me some great points I can use to address this aspect of the issue.

#8 http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/15/15greenwire-white-house-rolls-out-details-of-auto-fuel-eco-13342.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20fuel%20efficiency&st=cse

                              This is a journalistic source from the New York Times website. The article describes what the Obama administration is doing to make auto standards more fuel efficient and better for the environment. Finding ways to use less gas and lower emissions are positive outcomes emerging out of the research for alternative fuels. The article was written by Josh Voorhees of Greenwire and the article was published September 15^th, 2009. Sources this article uses are the EPA, the DOT, President Obama, State Department climate envoy Todd Stern, and John Kerry. All the sources are institutional and are not diverse in that sense. They help strengthen the argument and show who is involved with the issue. The article was funded by the New York Times and Greenwire and its audiences are anyone who drives. The New York Times is a very influential newspaper and they have a very strong following, so this article is influential because of its source. It is useful because it comes from a reliable source, includes good links, and shows what is currently in the news with the issue. A big aspect in my argument is that the process itself of searching for these new fuels is having positive effects and this article gives me some concrete examples.

#9 Interview With Bill Carpenter

                         This is a citizen source because it is an interview I held with Bill Carpenter. He is an environmental lawyer and he gave me insight into the unintended consequences with the laws affecting alternative fuels. The interview took place in the evening of November 5^th, 2009. Sources he used were laws imposed by government and personal experience with the issue. His references were both made to local and national sources. The only audience for the interview was myself but Bill works with local clients who are involved with aspects of the issue and they could get information from him as well. I chose to source this interview because he has no affiliation with either biofuels or electricity, and instead gave me an overall view of the situation based on their knowledge with the issue. He gave me a different perspective to look at each of the points in the debate and talked about the laws being put in place and their effects. While I had heard of the laws being put in place, I had never heard about the issues there were with them until I had this interview.

#10 http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/319

                       This is a journalistic source from the website economist.com and is a virtual debate on the issue. It gives a summary of both sides as well as backs up my issue on how both technologies are “evenly balanced and changing rapidly.” The page was originally published by the website May 22^nd, 2009.  Sources include Alan Shaw, boss of Codex and Sidney Goodman, vice president of automotive alliances at Better Place. The sources are all quotes but they are diverse in that they come from different sides of the argument. The article is funded by the economist.com website and both parties it represents. Its audiences are those who are interested in what the fuel of the future is and also those who feel strongly about one of those fuel sources and want to debate it. The website seems to have a decent following but I don’t think that is it influential in that most people who would contribute to the site would already have their opinion on one of the sides set. It is a useful article in that it gives you multiple perspectives on both sides and how they are connected. It also gives you an alternative way to look at the issue, in that you can look at it by only backing up one alternative fuel source.

While there is no clear answer yet, there are many positive effects through researching all kinds of alternative fuel sources.

            The big issue with alternative fuels for transportation is that when it comes to saying what will be the fuel of the future, no one knows the answer. Should we be looking into electricity, biofuels, or is there a better alternative out there to replace petroleum as the mainstream fuel for transportation? The answer is that we should be looking into all alternatives. We are making breakthroughs in all alternative fuel technologies while lowering our dependence on oil, promoting fuel-efficiency, and promoting cleaner burning fuels for the environment.

            Oil is a finite resource that we will inevitably run out of some day. While this issue dates back further than 1973, the idea of needing an alternative fuel source instead of gasoline entered the mainstream public consciousness with the OPEC Oil Embargo. Throughout the years, the effort and investment on the issue seems to rise and fall based on the price and availability of oil. The issue became prominent again in the summer of 2008 when oil prices hit record highs. Now with the support of the current Obama Administration, The US Department of Energy and a wide range of alternative fuel cars hitting the market there is a high focus on researching ways to improve these technologies and implement them into society.

            The main point of debate is what exactly the fuel of the future will be. Arguing what we should we be putting money and research into. This is a complex issue because there are benefits and issues with all types of alternative fuels. As of right now, no alternative is capable of being sustained as our main fuel source. However, research is addressing the current issues that hinder these alternative fuels. We will find the most efficient answer by continuing our research and fixing the issues with current alternative fuels. Getting the technology and the economics in place will be a very long, ongoing process but it is creating many positive effects in the intervening time.

            The Obama Administration is currently implementing new laws and programs that encourage a huge push for all types of alternative fuel and fuel efficient vehicles. The Administration is increasing the fuel economy standards to reduce carbon emissions. This plan is saving billions of gallons of gasoline and greenhouse gases. Another program is giving tax incentives to those who buy these alternative fuels and companies conducting the research.  According to a New York Times article, Obama has a goal to have 1 million plug-in hybrids that get 150 mpg on the road ways by 2015. He is also pressing for all cars to have 35.5 mpg on average by 2016. These policies will have a major positive impact on the environment and increase mpg substantially.

            Biofuels are a contending alternative fuel source and its research is very beneficial. Their main issue however is the source they come from. There are concerns that crops grown for fuel raises food costs. However, biofuel sources are evolving and this issue is getting addressed. A number of promising non-crop sources have surfaced; the most prominent being in food waste, algae and feed stocks. A recent Time magazine article discussed another biofuel made through Snodgrass. The study found the fuel to provide 540% more energy than it took to create it and had 94% lower emissions than gasoline. According to Alan Twigg, station manager at biofuel fueling station Sequential Fuels “every drop of biofuel is a drop of petroleum were not using. They burn cleaner and are made locally and efficiently.”

            Electric vehicle technologies are rapidly advancing as well. They are a strong candidate because they run on an established energy source and have zero emissions. Hybrid electric cars are already increasing mpg and driving an electric vehicle can save its driver around $1,000 a year in fueling costs. The greatest inhibitor of the electric vehicle is currently the battery and their production costs. A recent New York Times Article discussed this issue and discussed Obama distributing grants to companies experimenting with batteries in hopes to expand production and in turn lower production costs. Research currently is focusing on lithium ion batteries because of their energy density. Electric vehicles are starting to seriously hit the market this next year, initiating widespread public use and the technologies are advancing every year.

            The research towards alternative fuel sources promotes clean living in all aspects of life as well. People are embracing new ways to be energy efficient and cultures are forming around these alternative fuel sources. Thinking about environmentally friendly fuel sources increases the public interest in going green. It has become good business sense too, with companies proudly displaying ways they are environmentally friendly. According to the Institute for Local Government “local agencies that invest in fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles lead by example for the rest of the community.”  

           A major debate with this issue arises when one only accepts one technology. They see the cons in one source to be unfixable and will so dismiss it. This type of thinking is hindering the process because we are finding ways to overcome these fuels most pressing issues. There are also views on how the economics are not in place to make these shifts realistic. This shift will be a gradual process; the economics will settle into place as we continually implement these fuels onto society.

            What we should be doing is to keep looking into all alternatives. It is not going to be easy; there is currently no one great alternative fuel out there and we need to keep exploring. With technology and sharp minds we will continue to innovate and refine what will be the clear choice. By implementing new vehicle types in phases, the switch to these new fuels will become easier and more intuitive. According to environmental lawyer Bill Carpenter “the future looks to be a combination of everything and it is important to continue strong research into all alternative fuel sources.” A blend of these different alternative fuel sources seems to be the future. With the technologies and economics slowing growing, we will continue to innovate until we find the most efficient solution.

The answer is that we currently have no idea what fuel will replace oil. This is a very complex issue with benefits and issues with all types of alternative fuels. However, we are making breakthroughs in both technologies while lowering our dependence on oil and promoting cleaner burning fuels for the environments. The future looks to be a combination of both and it is important to continue strong research in all alternative fuel sources. With the technologies and economics slowing falling into place we will continue refining these alternative fuel sources until we find the most efficient answer. It will be a long journey but we are headed in exciting directions.

Source #1:

http://www.ca-ilg.org/node/1668

This is an institutional source by the Institute for Local Government. It describes what they believe local officials should look at when it comes to fuel efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles. It discusses the pros of using any type of vehicle that is not petroleum based. The audience is local officials. Sources used are mostly links to government websites, while various links at the bottom connect to websites discussing the specs of different types of hybrid cars. This is useful because it gives facts to back up the data, comes from a reliable source, and actually provides ideas of what we can do for a more energy efficient future.

Source #2:

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/21330840-41/story.csp

This is a journalistic source from the Register Guard. It talks about Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s plan to seriously implement electric cars and accompanying charging stations into Oregon roadways. It discusses the issues people have with electric cars; even the Department of Energy calling the plan “too futuristic.” Sources include Gov. Kulongoski, ecoworld.com, local professionals and experts, and sources from the Department of Energy. The audience is taxpayers and those who are wondering if electric cars could be the future transportation fuel. Government is the one paying for these new fuels and implementing them.

Source #3:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/science/28batt.html?_r=1

This is a journalistic source from the Register Guard. The article discusses the issues surrounding batteries that would charge electric cars. There are many factors into the battery and the article does a good job of summarizing them and the current events surrounding the issue. Sources include International Battery, the Obama Administration, battery experts, government sources, and Consumer Reports Magazine. The audiences are those in the auto industry and everyone who is looking into the issue of alternative fuels. This article is useful because it comes from an established newspaper, and deals with the biggest issue with electric cars.

Source #4:

http://sqbiofuels.blogspot.com/

Alan Twigg, Station Manager of Sequential Fuels, gave me a good insight into biofuels role in our transportation fuel future. This is a journalistic source from the company’s webpage. This page is very useful because it is updated frequently and gives links to other organizations and news surrounding biofuels. The page talks about issues surrounding what is going on with biofuels in the government, laws and sources of biofuels, people involved and many other topics. The website is funded by Sequential Fuels and its audiences are people involved with this biofuel culture. Sources include websites and newstories.

Source #5:

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/hybrid_electric.html

This is an institutional source from the Department of Energy Website. The source includes information on what the government and each state is doing concerning the different alternative fuel sources. Sources it includes are all institutional, describing laws and government documents of the issue. The website is funded by the US government and its audience is its citizens. This article is useful because government leaves a huge amount of paper trail, and includes a great variety of related links.

Source #6:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1701221,00.html

This is a journalistic article from the Time Magazine website. The most important aspect of biofuels is the source in which they come from. The article explains how we are slowly finding more efficient ways to find sources for biofuels. Sources the article includes are biofuel revolutionaries, PNAS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, private companies developing technologies, and scientists. The article is funded by the magazine and the audiences are those who are turned away from biofuels because they believe they are effecting out agriculture economy.

Source #7:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4279508.html

This is a journalistic source by the magazine Popular Mechanics. The article shows that while it will be a slow and complex process, alternative fuels will “become cost-effective gradually, as the market shifts.” It explains how biofuels, electricity and even hydrogen have their part in the future and instead of choosing one we need to continue refining our technologies in all areas. Sources include scientists, researchers, experts, and auto companies. The magazine is funded by automobile and technology companies. This article is useful because it provides many aspects and views towards the debate, has strong sources and discusses exactly the issue I am doing.

Source #8:

 http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/15/15greenwire-white-house-rolls-out-details-of-auto-fuel-eco-13342.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20fuel%20efficiency&st=cse

This is a journalistic source from the New York Times website. The article describes what the Obama administration is doing to make auto standards more fuel efficient and better for the environment. While we don’t know what the fuel source of the future is there are many positives coming from the research. We are finding ways to use less gas and lower emissions. Sources this article uses are the EPA, the DOT, President Obama, State Department climate envoy Todd Stern, and John Kerry. The article was funded by the New York Times and its audiences are anyone who drives. It is useful because it comes from a reliable source, includes good links, and shows what is currently in the news with the issue.

Source #9:

 http://www.economist.com/debate/debates/overview/145

This is a journalistic source from the website economist.com and is a virtual debate on the issue. It gives a summary of both sides as well as backs up my issue on how both technologies are “evenly balanced and changing rapidly.” Sources include Alan Shaw, boss of Codex and Sidney Goodman, vice president of automotive alliances at Better Place. The article is funded by the website and both parties it represents. Its audiences are those who are interested in what the fuel of the future is. It is a useful article in that it gives you multiple perspectives on both sides and how they are connected.

Source #10:

http://www.thedeal.com/newsweekly/community/in-defense-of-renewable-energy.php

This is a journalist source from thedeal.com explaining the economic factors in alternative fuels. The financial aspect is a very complicated part of the issue and this article does a very good job of giving an easy to understand version of the issue. Sources it includes are banks investing in renewable energy and the IRS. The article is funded by investment companies and the audiences are those who are affected by or interested in the economics of alternative fuels. It is useful in that it provides information on an aspect of the issue that is typically not discussed in detail.

This photograph of a Toyota Prius Hybrid is by James Cornwell of The Oklahoma Daily. The image appears at the newspaper’s website, so I would categorize this as a journalistic source. The picture brings attention to the Prius name and the plate indicating that it’s a hybrid car. The picture goes along with a short news story discussing the state legislation’s proposal to give hybrid car buyers tax credits. This corner of the car fills up the frame because its hybrid feature is what makes it important and relevant to the accompanying news story. I chose this image because seeing hybrid cars in the media and on the streets show that alternative fuel vehicles are a present reality. Hybrid cars are known for fuel efficiency and being environmentally friendly. They are seen as the future of transportation. The Prius is the iconic hybrid car and the main hybrid vehicle people that I have spoken with talk about or are driving.

Visual 2: Go Green Hybrid Car Video

This video appears at a Go Green themed website and was posted to Youtube on June 15^th, 2007 by Google. The video is a journalistic source explaining what current plug-in hybrid cars are capable of and all the benefits that they provide presently. The video is sunny to show the association of hybrid cars with a healthy environment and bright future. Go Green has become an iconic movement for lifestyle promoting a cleaner earth and alternative fuels have become associated with a green lifestyle. When our entire planet health is at stake, it bring urgency for the need of altenative fuels. Oil, and the emissions from current transportation is seen as hurtful to the environment and is not embraced like hybrids are by people living green. The video doesn’t show any opposing views, only talking with people who are completely behind these hybrid cars. The video also uses many green colors to bring association with the cars and the green lifestyle.

This is a bad story for a number of reasons. First off, it is sloppily written and full of grammatical errors that really distract you and effect you reading of the article. They continually take you out of the story by making you aware that you are just reading a weak story. The story just seems thrown together and that the writer just jotted down their train of thought on the subject. The part where the write randomly inserts an “LMAO” really gives the story a sense of it not having much effort into it. The story comes across as a young girl just talking about a dream love encounter.

Another reason that this is a bad story is that there is never a conflict or a confrontation. Everything seems to happen as exactly the girl would dream would happen and not very realistic. The one time that a potential problem arises when the singer says he is married is instantly thrown to the side and never brought back up. Everything just plays out to easily and the dialogue is too overtly simple giving nothing engaging or intrigue about the story.  With the characters all getting what they want without having to go through any ordeal, they literally just have to say what they want and they get it, there is no tension to keep you engrossed in the story or even care.

While you do get basic backgrounds about the two characters, they are never in any situations or say anything that teaches you more about them. They both come across as very one dimensional, with no depth to them. You are not given very much insight into what these character are all about and when you dealing with a story of falling in love, being invested in the characters makes for a much for satisfying love story. The character can’t just easily get and give each other what they want, there needs to be climax where this finally happens after an ordeal they have gone through.

This leads to one of the stories greatest weakness. There is no buildup, which means there is no climax, which means there is no resolution; three key factors in good storytelling. There is no buildup because of the lack of tension or conflict. When they go on a date and kiss, it isn’t much of a climax because there was no build there. As soon as they met, he was telling her she was pretty and wanted to write a song for her. Everything goes so easily in the story that the characters reach the end of the story in just a straight line. There is no resolution at the end because there is nothing to resolve. The story just plays out happily and then it just ends as simply as it started, not really causing you to feel any connection with the story.

While writing simply and clearly makes for good storytelling, it is not used to this stories advantage. The story is overtly simple and overall is missing crucial elements to a good story. First, correct the grammar mistakes, for it really detaches the reader and distracts them. Secondly, it plays out to easily and contains absolutely zero conflict. Perhaps expand on the marriage issue and have this conflict the characters about the relationship. Secondly, provide depth to the characters, give them dialogue and situations to make the reader care about them. Also, give the story elements of tension, that the whole story is leading up to a climax. Then give the story this climax, where it all comes together, so that it can have an effective resolution and give the reader some emotional connection with the story.

1973- For supporting Israel in the war, middle-eastern countries closed off the spigot of oil to the western world. Known as the OPEC Oil Embargo, for the first time Americans took notice of our reliance on foreign oil and the issues it confronts our society with.

1977- Jimmy Carter creates the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), focusing government effort towards energy and how critical this issue is to the country.

1978- CAFÉ, or Corporate Average Fuel Economy, standards are put into effect to improve fuel efficiency.

1979- The Iranian Revolution causes the Second World Oil Crisis. This leads to high oil prices and an oil shortage. Gas rationing is proposed but never put into effect. Jimmy Carter delivers his “Crisis of Confidence” speech that encouraged Americans to do what they could to reduce their use of energy.

1986-  The 1986 Oil Prices Collapse dropped oil prices by 60%, causing everyone to drive more than ever and view oil as being abundant.

 1991- The Gulf War launched, bringing national attention back to energy issues and of their importance.

1994- For the first time in its history, the U.S. was importing more oil than its domestic oil production.

1997- Kyoto Conference on Global Climate Change brought us the Kyoto Protocol and gave national recognition to how all of our driving is affecting our planet. It shows how not only is energy efficiency important to how much you pay in gas, it is important to the health of the planet.

2001- The September 11th attacks had a profound impact on increasing our concerns with our energy security.

2006-2009- At $78 a barrel, crude oil reached a record high. This caused gas prices to sour all throughout the country. Now in 2009, with the Obama administration, securing our energy future is a very important priority.

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/

An overall look at the different alternative fuels, energy efficient vehicle technology, and data on what energy efficient options are available to you and what they are about.

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/15/15greenwire-white-house-rolls-out-details-of-auto-fuel-eco-13342.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20fuel%20efficiency&st=cse

This is a New York Times article explaining what the Obama administration currently released about its plans on fuel efficiency and green house standards on cars. Great summary about what is currently being done by the government.

http://www.lexisnexis.com.libproxy.uoregon.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7544013511&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7544013519&cisb=22_T7544013518&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&selRCNodeID=42&nodeStateId=411en_US,1&docsInCategory=126&csi=8039&docNo=7

This is a interesting article because it shows the other side of the issue, negative ways people view Obama’s energy plans. It is from the November 2008 edition of Oil and Gas Journal.

http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2003-10-16.asp

This is an article as a kind of look back at how the OPEC embargo is still connected to the events going on today in alternative fuels and energy efficiency. It shows how the embargo was the starting point for this issue in the minds of Americans and a view of how things are looking today.

http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/gasprices.asp

This website really explains the essence of the issue I am dealing with. It is a website by the Natural Resource Defense Council explaining the importance of us reducing our dependency on foreign oil.

 Summary-               

     These links are all relevant to my initial research because they have given me a decent idea of the big picture on the issue of securing our energy future. The links in my timeline show either where I got my information or where I could confirm it. The five links on the bottom show what the government is doing on the issue, current energy efficient fuel options, and public opinions on these issues. They give me a variety of perspectives to look at this issue from. I now have the basis of my research and from here will continue and accumulate new sources and research and delve deeper into this issue now that I have a basic understanding of it through these sources.