This book takes a very close look at energy and energy security from a hands-on, technical point of view with an ultimate goal of sorting out and explaining the deep meaning of energy as well as the key factors and variables of our energy security. The book reviews the major energy sources—coal, crude oil, natural gas, the renewables, and other alternative fuels and technologies—according to the way they affect our energy security now and what consequences might be expected in the future.

Topics include the different technical, logistics, regulatory, social, political, and financial aspects of modern energy products and technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of the different fuels, technologies, energy strategies, regulations, and policies are reviewed in detail, sorted, and clearly laid out as well as their effects on our present and future energy security in a way that is easy to understand by high school students, engineers, and professors alike. This book is a must-read for energy executives, environmental specialists, investors, bankers, lawyers, regulators, politicians, and anyone involved, or interested, in today’s energy production and use and their effects on our energy security.

Lynn Van Ost, MEd, RN, PT, ATC graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in nursing from West Chester State College, West Chester, PA; National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) certified in athletic training in 1984; graduated in 1987 from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, with a master's degree in sports medicine/athletic training; and received a second bachelor's degree in physical therapy in 1988 from Temple. In addition to treating the general orthopedic population as a physical therapist, she has worked with both amateur and professional athletes and has more than 11 years of experience as an athletic trainer working with Olympic-level elite athletes at numerous international events, including the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic games. She currently works as the Director of Physical Therapy for University Orthopedic Associates in Somerset, New Jersey.