“Saving Money as Well as the Environment”
By Zach Blake
11th grade
Calvert Hall
College High School
Baltimore, Maryland
Teacher: George Kropp
“Saving Money as Well as the Environment”
By
Zach Blake
11th grade
There are many discrepancies regarding the debate over whether or not money should be spent in the search for a new type of fuel. Many people who are worried about the environment, present other means of fuel rather than oil and gas; which seem to be destroying the environment. On one hand, it would make for a safer and cleaner world, but on the other hand, a lot of money would be spent in putting these alternative fuel plans into action. Even though the economy would take a short hit, in the long run, having a healthier fuel would be beneficial to future automobile drivers and the environment.
Many people saw the development of Ethanol as an alternative means to gas and oil. It seems to be more environmentally healthy and costs less than oil. It seems like it would be a full-proof plan to start using Ethanol and Hydrogen fuels, [however] it is not always 100 percent beneficial. In one aspect, the Earth would be a much cleaner and healthier place, but there is always a catch. In order to develop these new fuels, billions of dollars will needed. New technology would be developed, and [means more] taxes.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 seems to show great progress in the development of new and safer fuels. It sets out a policy where a lot of money goes to fuel companies so that they can start investing in new ideas, along with tax cuts to those who become patrons to the new fuel search. According to the given document, Congressman Carnahan said, “The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is not a step forward for our nation's energy policy”. He points out the fact that the short-term effects are much more devastating than the long term. He knows that gas prices are continuously going up, and that it will cost way too much.
Carnahan is in fact correct, in the near future, the new bill will do nothing but devastate the economy. Billions of dollars will go into making of this new fuel, and all of this money is coming from the automobile owners’ tax and purchase of gas. The bill will not immediately lower the price of gas, and it will not immediately end pollution, but he misses the real goal of the bill. The bill is geared towards the long-term effects of alternative fuel.
Although people will struggle for the first decade or so, the overall outcome of the use of Hydrogen or Ethanol will make everything safer. Eventually as [these alternatives] becomes popular, fuel prices will drop and taxes won’t be as complicated. The only reason prices are so high now, is because they are still spending money to harness these fuels. In the end, it will also be better for the environment. With cars and machinery running on healthier raw materials, the ozone will not shrink and global warming will not become severe. Although Carnahan makes a strong case, he misses the overall goal of the bill.
Material evidence seems to come straight from Brazil, where alternative fuels have [a history. Brazil] grow tons and tons of sugar cane which they use to make ethanol fuel. They now use 40% ethanol [which] is much more environmentally friendly. Although America is not as wealthy in terms of sugar cane production, it is evident that the switch to flex-fuel engines would be beneficiary. Most of the money that Brazil once spent on oil importation goes to other governmental areas in need. If it works in Brazil, there is no reason why it wouldn’t work in the U.S.A. Although the United States could not run cars on pure Ethanol just yet, because of lack of resources, just using it as a fraction of our fuel would be beneficial. Ethanol can be mixed with oil and still be more environmentally friendly than pure oil. It would take much longer for USA to do what Brazil did, but if it happened, it would be advantageous to both the environment and the buyers.
Although it may be hard to predict whether alternative fuels would prove beneficial, it seems like ultimately it would solve many problems. Although taxes would rise temporarily [as would] the demand for [research] funds, eventually prices would be lower than they are now. As Carnahan points out, it won’t be easy at first. Prices will be higher now, but after looking at Brazil it is evident that the switch is necessary. Long-term, it will decrease pollution and also be much less than the cost of oil. Therefore, it is very important, that money should go into making alternative fuels, so that people will pay less and the environment will not suffer as much in the long run.
Questions and Answers to the Required Reading
1. Gasohol is a byproduct exclusively from gasoline and
ethanol whereas cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural
waste such as prairie switch grass, woodchips, and
cornhusks.
2. Why did automakers produce cars that could operate using ethanol as well as gasoline before there was an adequate number of service stations that could provide ethanol?
The flex-fuel engine was primarily developed to catch a break from fuel-economy
standards.
3. When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?
Henry Ford’s model T’s were
able to run on ethanol in early 1900s.
4. In a paragraph, describe Brazil's experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil's key to success?
Ethanol, which has increasingly become popular, now accounts for about 40% of the fuel used in their cars. They have a lot of resources to make the fuel, because of their plethora of cane and corn. Where Brazil had once used mainly gas to fuel their engines, most money spent on oil importation can now be spent in other places. The key to Brazil's success is that people aren’t forced to be Ethanol; they just choose to do so.
5. What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?
Yellow gas caps are put on the cars with flex-fuel or ethanol ready engines.
6. Describe bio-diesel.
Bio-diesel refers to naturally made diesel fuel.
7. Explain the term "flex-fuel engine." What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
A flex-fuel engine can use gasoline and or ethanol.
Ford introduced them.
8. Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site.
It was signed by president Bush on August 8th, 2005. It passed when 275 favored the bill and 156 opposed it (in the House of Representatives). Some congressman like, Congressman Russ Carnahan, voted against the bill and tried to show striking evidence in disfavor.
9. What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?
Its
purpose is to improve technology for the commercialization of flexible-fuel
vehicles as well as lower the dependence on oil and gasoline.
10. What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource?
Hydro-electric dams
11. What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative?
The purpose is to develop new technology to make, store, and distribute hydrogen for use in fuel-cell vehicles.
12. List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.
v For Contractors of new energy efficient homes if the homes achieve an energy savings of 50 percent or more over the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.
v For manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
v For the purchase of solar, photovoltaic and fuel cell properties for use in residences.
v For the purchase of water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces, etc. that achieve certain efficiency levels when purchased for residential properties.
v For businesses and consumers tax credits for the purchase of alternative- fuel and hybrid vehicles.
v Provides $2.7 billion in production tax credits to encourage the production of clean renewable energies for wind, closed- loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gases, and trash combustion.
v For investments in alternative fuel refueling stations.
Works Cited
"Energy Policy Act of 2005". Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
MediaWiki. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005> 2006.
The given document was the most helpful.