Green Energy and Renewable Resources

A turbine for wind power	A field of photovoltaic panels for solar power	A reservoir and dam for hydropower

Energy can be produced in many ways. In the U.S., the most common energy production methods use fossil fuels (mainly coal and petroleum). These processes substantially contribute to environmental pollution and waste. However, new technology uses renewable resources to produce energy, and the techniques used produce very little pollution. These alternative methods of producing energy are referred to as green energy. Increasingly frequent alternative methods of producing energy include biodiesel fuel, solar power, hydropower, and wind power. With these modern techniques becoming more cost-effective, the U.S. is likely to see a reduction in the amount of fossil fuel needed to generate power.

Rainwater collection, geothermal HVAC, and solar water heating are also other common ways of using renewable resources to help cut back on the amount of energy used by private citizens and companies.