Semantically fossil fuels are a renewable energy source, however, given that it takes millions of years for organic materials to be broken down and converted, it is entirely it is unrealistic to consider them renewable. As demand for fossil fuels increases and sources decline faster than they are replenished, the United States must work toward a renewable energy-independent state that uses truly renewable sources, both technically and in practice. With changes at home, in consumers purchasing goods, and with alternative fuel sources supported by public trust and government involvement, the United States could dramatically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, domestic and foreign. The biggest impact on reducing dependence on fossil fuels could start at home. There are devices around us that consume energy even if we don't use them. Known colloquially as “vampire power,” these devices in standby mode continue to consume power since they are never actually “off.” Studies by Ross and Meier (2001) have shown that the average household can have up to 40 different energy-consuming devices, from watches to microwaves, from DVD players to televisions, these devices amounting to between 5% and 26% of total consumption of electricity in a household – energy probably produced at the cost of burning fossil fuels, both in the production of electricity and in the transport of the fuels themselves. For new or renovation buildings, every choice can lead to energy savings; energy that comes mainly from fossil fuels. The typical home LED replacement for a 60W light lasts approximately 50,000 hours. Assuming that even an incandescent lamp could last that long, it would consume approximately 3,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy while the LE...... middle of paper ......rn, M., Ramroth, L. and Lovins, A. B. (2008). Transformational Trucks: Determining the Energy Efficiency Limits of a Class 8 Tractor-Track. Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass, CO. Ross, J. P., & Meier, A. (2001). Whole-home standby power consumption measurements. In Energy efficiency in household appliances and lighting (pp. 278-285). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.Surface Transportation Board (2012). Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report. Washington, DC: President Daniel R. Elliott IIITopaz Solar Farm. (n.d.). Provider of vertically integrated industrial-scale photovoltaic energy solutions. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.firstsolar.com/en/about-us/projects/topaz-solar-farmWhy choose cloth diapers? Diaper Facts from the Real Diaper Association.. (n.d.). Why choose washable diapers? Diaper Facts from the Real Diaper Association. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts