Energy sources can be classified into the three categories of fossil fuels, renewable sources, and nuclear sources. The energy from fossil fuels includes energy obtained from coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power. Finally, nuclear-powered sources include fission and fusion.
Generally, fossil fuel because of its user friendly character was widely used as a source of energy every since the Industrial Revolution. Fossil fuel only requires a simple direct combustion for generating energy. A major disadvantage of the fossil fuel is the environmental pollution that it produces.
Solar energy which is a renewable form of energy is in fact the energy derived from the sun through the use of solar panels. Also Wind energy is a source of clean and cheap energy. Energy from wind is generated through the use of windmills. Wind energy by providing power for the accomplishment of agricultural tasks has contributed to the growth of civilization. Geothermal energy generates electricity by using the pressurized steam from superheated water beneath the earth’s surface. Biomass energy is simply the conversion of stored energy in plants into energy that we can use. For example, burning wood is a method of producing biomass energy. Hydroelectric energy is the energy generated from water.
Fission which is a nuclear-powered source is an established method of energy production. Although fission has the benefit of producing high energy, it may extremely disturb the environment by its dangerous nuclear waste byproducts. However, the present day treats fusion, which is a form of nuclear energy source, as the energy of the future. Fusion is basically environmentally friendly and virtually inexhaustible.
Almost all the fields of energy including atomic energy are governed by federal statutes. In cases where the federal law does not address the particular issue raised, state law serves as the regulating law.