Energy

The phrase clean energy is a misnomer since anything manufactured begins with mining. For example the battery in an electric car weighs about 1,000 pounds and requires the digging up of 500,000 pounds of rock. This requires the use of heavy machinery to dig and grind and concentrate the elements needed to produce the battery. All of this means dirty air and water and the American people do not want that so most of the materials needed for batteries is imported from countries which are willing to dirty up their environment. US mining companies recognize that the cost of elements like copper will increase but they are not starting new mines but are instead buying up competitors to increase their supplies. One way to get more energy without increasing mining operations is to use nuclear power.