When the new Southeast Polk High School opened, many new energy saving products were added. This included installing geothermal heating under the high school, reducing heating costs for such a large building. Many new windows help save on the energy used to light the building along with automatic lights that turn off after several minutes of no movement. The new high school shows how easy it is to save money and help the environment. Renewable energy is good for all aspects of the United States, providing jobs, economic growth, environmental cleanup, and new research to improve energy efficiency. Therefore the United States should use renewable energy to benefit the economy and the environment. The main way the environment is negatively affected is by burning fossil fuels. When you burn a hydrocarbon, such as coal or natural gas, you produce a byproduct gas called carbon dioxide. In small quantities, carbon dioxide is harmless, but in large quantities it creates what is called the “greenhouse effect”. Carbon dioxide is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere and heat from the sun can pass through but not come back out causing the world to warm. Langwith states that 40% of all 433,000 tons of nitrous gas produced on earth come from humans burning fossil fuels (Langwith, “Renewable Energy is Beneficial”). All of this shows how, in the long term, renewable energy can improve our environment. One of the main reasons why renewable energy has not been widely used is the high startup cost. According to research conducted by Jerry Taylor, energy produced by wind turbines and biomass, which plants burn or convert into usable energy, could cost up to twice as much as gas- or coal-fired power plants. It goes on to say…middle of the card…Jacqueline. “A national standard for the renewable portfolio is not entirely beneficial.” Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Greehaven Press, 2009. Web. March 30, 2010.- - -. “Renewable energy is beneficial to the environment.” Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Greehaven Press, 2009. Web. March 30, 2010.- - -. “Renewable energy is cost-effective.” Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Greenhaven Press, 2009. Web. April 7, 2010.Madsen, Birger T. “Wind Energy Use Should Be Increased.” Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Greenhaven Press, 2004. Web. March 30, 2010. Rich, Alex K, and David C Morley. "Point: the alternative imperative." Reference center Points of view. Np, 2009. Web. March 31, 2010. Taylor, Jerry. “Renewable energy is expensive and does not prevent pollution.” Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Greenhaven Press, 2005. Web. March 30. 2010.