Concern over decreasing fuel supplies and the environmental problems with using fossil fuels is prompting research on new energy sources. Energy from fossil fuels is a recent marvel. Until the mid-1800s, the United States got most of its energy from wood products. The abundant forest resources were inexpensive and a readily available energy supply. In Florida, coal is imported to produce 39 percent of our electricity.
Sulfur dioxide is believed to be a major contributor to acid rain.
In Florida, about 47 percent of household energy expenses are used for automobile or truck fuel. Today, Floridians import about 750,000 barrels of oil a day to keep their vehicles running. About 60 percent of all homes in the U.S. are heated by natural gas. Natural gas is the cleanest burning of the fossil fuels, producing much less of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, per unit of energy produced. Natural gas is also used as a transportation fuel.