Townsend Harris High School
Flushing, New York
Teacher: Aliza Sherman
Why Alternative Fuel is the Way To Go
By Angglelia Sutjipto
10th grade
Stop the drilling in the Artic and preserve the wildlife! According to the Alaskan Wilderness League only five percent of the Artic is not exposed to drilling. There is a 50 percent chance of finding 5.3 billion barrels of oil in the Artic, which amounts to a six month supply of oil.
George W. Bush admitted that
we, as Americans, are addicted to oil; we use approximately 19 million barrels
of oil each day. President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that offers
tax incentives for those who purchase fuel-efficient vehicles and appliances.
The H.R.6 bill sounds good at first but there are...many flaws, which is why
Green Day + NRDC have launched a campaign that supports the use of alternative
fuel. The bill, according to George W. Bush, will allow America to be less
dependent on foreign oil by using our own "domestic energy resources". The
domestic energy resources that [the President] referred to include coal, nuclear
energy, oil, and natural gas. Some might say that the bill is a start, albeit
small. I beg to differ. I believe that the bill contradicts itself. The bill
only makes us more addicted to oil; it allows drilling for oil in the Artic,
seismic exploration, and coastal explorations. The bill is also harmful to the
environment as coal and oil add to global warming. The bill should have focused
on how to lessen America's dependency on foreign oil by making a drastic change
to [the] use of alternative fuel.... It is possible because many vehicles are
compatible with alternative fuels. The bill should also have protected the Artic
from oil companies. Drilling for oil, even if the oil does not come from the
Middle East, does not help with our current oil addiction. Drilling for oil is a
very costly method compared to alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol.
According to the U.S Department of Energy, alternative fueling is defined as fuels that are essentially non-petroleum and yield energy, security, and environmental benefits. Ethanol, biodiesel, electricity, and propane are a few examples of alternative fuels. While ethanol is often seen as the future of fuel (and it is possible), biodiesel could soon take over the race. Biodiesel fuel [is] made from plant or animal oils or fats that have been chemically altered into alkyl esters. Biodiesel is better than petroleum diesel because it is a renewable energy source that has many advantages.
One of the many advantages
of biodiesel is that it can be made from a variety of plants such as canola,
sunflower, oil palm, coconut, soy bean, linseed, olive and hemp. Biodiesel can
also be made from waste vegetable oil that has been used for deep frying.
Surprisingly, biodiesel can also be made from algae. Although canola oil is the
best candidate for making biodiesel - canola grows well in temperate climate and
it yields more than all the other plants - algae could produce up to ten times
more oil per hectare than canola. Even better, using algae to produce biodiesel
will decrease the rate of global warming. After all, algae is a plant and
therefore, it will take in carbon dioxide.
Another advantage of (pure) biodiesel is that it lowers the emission of most pollutants and promotes better health. Sulphur dioxide is an acidic gas that forms acid rain when combined with water. Biodiesel does not emit sulphur dioxide at all. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is emitted by vehicles and can cause death. Biodiesel reduces the emission of carbon monoxide by at least 15 percent. Hydrocarbons are chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms that give diesel their characteristic smell. Hydrocarbons cause eye and respiratory irritation. Using biodiesel decreases the emission of hydrocarbons by at least 38 percent. Volatile organic compounds are synthetic organic compounds that evaporate easily, thus contributing to air pollution and causes damage to one's central nervous system, liver, kidney, and reproductive organs. Biodiesel, if made correctly, will reduce volatile organic compounds by at least 50 percent.
Biodiesel is environmentally friendly. It is biodegradable; biodiesel has a slightly less complex chemical structure than mineral diesel. Therefore, if it does spill into a body of water, it will be absorbed relatively quickly. Biodiesel degrades four times faster than mineral diesel and it dissolves at about the same rate of sugar. Biodiesel is also nontoxic. The lethal concentration of biodiesel exceeds 1,000 mg/L for Bluegills. Concentrations above 1,000 mg/L are considered nontoxic. Biodiesel also preserves the wildlife in the Artic. Oil drilling and seismic oil exploration in the Artic disturb the mating season of many animals, such as the polar bears, porcupine river caribou, musk oxen, and many species of migratory birds. The population of musk oxen will decrease even more during oil exploration. Their water supply will be redirected to construct roads. The production of biodiesel will not disturb the homeostasis in the Artic.
One of the disadvantages of biodiesel lies in its emission of NOx. Most studies show that biodiesel produces 10 percent more than petroleum oil. Nitrogen oxides are harmful gases that damages plants and irritates one's respiratory system. It will react with hydrocarbons to produce acid rain.
Using alternative fuels will earn you tax credits and you will be contributing to a better tomorrow.
Answers To Required
Reading Questions
Q1- Gassahol is a byproduct exclusively from gasoline and ethanol whereas cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural waste such as prairie switchgrass, wood chips and corn husks.
Q2- Why did auto makers produce cars that could operate using ethanol as well as gasoline before there was an adequate number of service stations that could provide ethanol?
They wanted a break from fuel-economy standards.
Q3- When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?
Henry Ford's Model T's ran on ethanol.
Q4- In a paragraph, describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil’s key to success?
Brazil has been using ethanol since the 1970s. Dictators in the 1970s and early 1980s tried to force the public to use ethanol. That didn't sell quite well. It wasn't until flex-fuel came along that the ethanol market bloomed. Brazil is one of the leading countries that uses alternative fuels. Its economy flourished because it no longer needs foreign oil. The Fortune article claim that Brazil's excellent geography was its key to success.
Q5- What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?
A yellow gas cap signifies GM's marketing campaign that targets cars and trucks that are compatible with ethanol.
Q6- Describe bio-diesel.
Biodiesel is made from plant or animal oils or fats that have been chemically altered into alkyl esters.
Q7- Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
Flex fuel engines can run on gasoline or E85 (85 percent ethanol). Henry Ford first introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine.
Q8- Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site. (dates introduced, amended, pass or rejected) http://www.eei.org/industry_issues/electricity_policy/federal_legislation/index.htm
April 18, 2005 - Bill introduced
August 08, 2005 - Signed by President Bush.
Q9- What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?
The purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization iniative is to reduce petroleum oil consumption by bringing alternative fuels to the market faster.
Q10- What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource?
Hydroelectric dams are America's largest renewable energy resource. Hydroelectric dams account for 7 percent of America's electric supply.
Q11- What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative?
The purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative is to cut foreign oil imports, and to protect the environment while creating more jobs.
Q12- List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.
1. Tax credits for residential purchase of water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and other equipment that help efficiency levels.
2. Alternative fuel refueling stations can gain up to a 30 percent credit (or up to $30,000). Alternative fuels that qualify include E-85, natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel, and many others.
3. There is a 20 percent tax credit for proper clean coal facilities.
4. A 10 to 30 percent tax credit is offered to those who use solar equiptment.
5. New tax credit for those who manufacture highly energy-efficient equiptment such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
6. The bill offers a tax credit of 1.8 cent per kilowatt hour production for electricity produced by new nuclear power.
7. 30 percent tax credit for homes with solar, photovoltaic and fuel cell properties.
Works Cited
Carter, Dan, Dave Darby, Jon Hallé, Phillip Hunt. How To Make Biodiesel. Great Britain, Low-Impact Living Initiative, 2005.
This website was very informative--a (slight) pro reform bias
Ewall, Mike. Energy Justice Network. "The Energy Bill (Energy Policy Act of 2005 / HR6)" June 2002. 11 April 2007.
<http://www.energyjustice.net/energybill/#p>
This website was very informative-- a (heavy) anti reform bias
NRDC Green Day. The Natural Resources Defense Council. "Do Something" 2006. 11 April 2007. <http://www.greendaynrdc.com/>
This website was somewhat informative-- a (heavy) anti reform bias
Skach, Sky. "Biodiesel: Drawbacks" 11 April 2007. <http://www.uoregon.edu/~sskach/index.html>
This website has very little information-- a (slight) pro reform bias
United States. Alaska Wilderness League. "Oil Drilling" 2000. 11 April 2007. <http://www.alaskawild.org/index.htm>
This website was very imformative-- a (slight) anti reform bias
United States. National Biodiesel Board. "Fact Sheets" 2007. 11 April 2007. <http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/default.shtm>
This website was very imformative-- a (slight) pro reform bias
United States. US Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Sources. "Frequently Asked Questions About Alternative Fuels" 31 October 2006. 11 April 2007. <http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/FAQ/1/0/0>
This website was very imformative-- a (slight) pro reform bias
United States. White House. "President Signs Energy Policy Act" 8 August 2005. 11 April 2007. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050808- 6.html>
This website was very imformative-- a (heavy) pro reform bias