Student debate -1– Energy self-sufficiency

In order to secure our future it is necessary for the US to work to achieve energy self-sufficiency. 

Is this possible?  How can we work toward this end? What are the consequences?

Some possible approaches:

- Increase energy resource imports

- Extract more energy fuels

- Develop alternative energy sources that have a very long foreseeable life span

- become more efficient energy users

- reduce energy consumption

- develop new technology for energy production

 The class will consist of 6 teams each of which will approach this debate from the perspective of the policies of US presidents since Nixon. (We will skip Ford who mostly carried on with Nixon’s policies).

Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush Junior. 

Each team will have 5 minutes to summarize the important points, which may also be presented on a one-page hand-out.  Each should be prepared to argue for the policies of that president and others may feel free to question, dispute or agree with their statements.