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alternative energy will solve many inherent problems of the current energy industry. Government spending on the research of alternative energy can help remove some of the barriers to entry to the energy industry. If alternative energy becomes readily available, it would be able to increase the supply of energy, which would in turn decrease the price of energy due to increased competition.

This increase in supply would benefit the overall economy. With the current unemployment rate still at an uncomfortable 7.6 percent, an investment in alternative energy will help create much- needed jobs. The economy would further benefit once alternative energy can successfully lower the price of energy. Because households would spend less the essential cost of daily energy use, they will have extra funds to invigorate the economy.

In addition to economic benefits, alternative energy can solve the problem of pollution. Even with government regulation such as the Environmental Protection Agency, pollution continues to threaten the safety of our planet. With alternative energy, however, oil industries will lose consumers to the new companies. Therefore, they would have less incentive to create energy and along with it, pollution. Because alternative energy will not produce significant amounts of pollution, a climate crisis can thus be averted.

Finally, alternative energy will be renewable, and thus less susceptible to the problem of scarce resources. Today, the majority of energy consumed is nonrenewable. Very soon, those resources will run out. Unlike fossil fuels, the sun will continue to shine, the wind will continue to blow and tides will continue to move.

Clearly, the benefits of investing and the costs of ignoring alternative energy are too great and should become a top priority for the United States.