Last month at a speaking engagement at Georgetown University, President Barack Obama unveiled a new direction in his administration for energy and fuel conservation. Obama said that the plan is designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil and to look to different sources of energy, including nuclear, natural gas and coal as possible alternatives.

According to an article in the Miami Herald, many energy conservationists, including student activists and scientists across the country, are displeased with this decision.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama’s plan for energy conservation included proposals for expansion in nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas and coal usage. Throughout the last few years, Obama has pushed energy efficiency for Americans. The most recent plan discussed focused mostly on the usage of nuclear, natural gas and coal.

For Nancy Muse, vice president of the Shoals Environmental Alliance, these energy sources are a move in the wrong direction.

“From what I can tell, the Obama administration is not against building nuclear plants,” said Muse. “This is a dangerous technology, and I totally disagree with the usage of nuclear energy and plants.”

Nuclear energy was originally researched through the Manhattan Project, funded by President Franklin Roosevelt. This program was funded in order to develop weapons during World War II. While nuclear power has been used for energy since the end of World War II, the time and expense put into the production would still only provide approximately 20 percent of the public’s energy needs.

“Nuclear energy was originally created in a race for weaponry; it was not intended to be a source of energy,” said Muse. “It is so ineffective for billions of tax dollars to be put into nuclear energy. The expense of the production, storage, and waste management of it would be imbalanced, to do all these things for only 20 percent of our energy needs.”

As a way to wean America off fossil fuels and as an alternative to the proposed nuclear, coal and gas fuels, Muse suggests that an investment into solar and other less harmful energies be explored.

“We have the sun falling down on us every day as free energy, and all we need to do is harness it,” said Muse. “I would like to see the government begin to help put solar panels on homes and businesses by offering subsidies.”

On Thursday, April 28, 2011 the student chapter of the American Chemical Society at UNA will host their “Chemists Rock” Earth Day program. Several local sponsors, including the Shoals Environmental Alliance, will be on site during the event with informational tables set up. Students will be able to exchange recyclable goods for food and drinks offered and all recyclable items will be taken up by the Florence Recycling Center.

“This year we are focusing on increasing the recycling effort on campus as a whole in the hopes of sparking a more long-term impact,” said Dr. Amanda Hofacker, assistant professor in the department of Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene.