Iola High School
Iola, Kansas
Teacher: Loretta Arnold
Corn is On the Way!
By: Hannah Chambers
12th Grade
Whenever we Americans go to the gas station, we always have a choice of which kind of gasoline we want to purchase. If we all chose ethanol or an ethanol blend, we could save the environment and, eventually, we could save our nation from remaining dependent on the Middle East for gasoline. If we all would choose ethanol, we would all be making a choice to secure future generations of freedom.
What is ethanol? Ethanol is a colorless, clear energy source that is made from barley, wheat, and corn. Also, ethanol is an energy source that can rid vehicles of unwanted waste. If we use ethanol in our cars, trucks, and working machinery, we would generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. A cleaner environment means cleaner consciences and a cleaner lifestyle for us all!
How difficult would it be to change over to ethanol from gasoline? Already there is ethanol production in twenty states! Twenty states in less than two years is a remarkable feat. Just think how quickly the remaining states will join in, once the process is going. Car manufacturers have already picked up the trend; they already see the long-term savings for consumers. Yellow gasoline caps are given to vehicles that can run on ethanol or ethanol blends. These high energy savings cars are in high demand. Currently, car manufacturers cannot supply all the demand for these yellow capped cars. Progress is taking place. Difficulty in the process is minimal.
What about the high cost of ethanol? There are more plans being developed in California to further [improve] the use of ethanol and to make it more efficient. Ethanol isn’t just for cars, it’s also used to power airplanes, farm tractors, and other machinery. As the use of ethanol grows, the costs of researching, manufacturing, and maintaining ethanol plants and transfer stations will decline. Ethanol is currently more expensive and has less energy than regular gasoline, but ethanol pollutes less and is better for our environment. Given time and use, ethanol prices will balance and perhaps even go lower than the price of gasoline today. In the meantime, it is an alternative fuel that will lessen America’s dependency on foreign fuels and bolster the nation’s economy.
How can America make its own ethanol? In order to make ethanol, plant matter must be made into simple sugars and starches. Crops such as corn and barley and agricultural waste products such as tree bark and grasses are used in the process. American farmers and rural industries may thrive in the process. Just think, one of the Midwest’s main crop, corn, may be on the way to solve America’s energy crisis. Farmers already sell bushels of corn to cattle ranchers and to businesses that sell corn-burning stoves (these are similar wood burning stoves for homes). The demand for corn can only improve the economy.
What can we do to help? To help motivate the process, the U.S. Congress passed The Energy Policy Act of 2005 on July 29; it was signed as a law on August 8, 2005. From this Act, Americans and American businesses are allowed tax incentives and loan guarantees for energy production. This bill encourages every citizen by giving each the chance to save the environment by using alternative energy sources. No one has an excuse not to.
I do believe that the Congress made a good choice by passing the Energy Act of 2005. Not only will it help to protect and save the environment, and it will save people more time and effort, but it will also save everyone money as well. The advantages of this particular bill is unlimited. From the rural farmer, to the business workers in ethanol plants, to consumers like you and me – we all benefit economically. From the older generation to the next generation – a cleaner environment will secure a brighter future for everyone. From the smallest country to our proud America – independence from the Middle East’s monopoly for gasoline will be abolished. America is on the right road to recovery. An alternative fuel source by the name of ethanol has been found. Passing the Energy Act of 2005 is only one part of the much needed solution. Each American citizen must take up the call and take action. We must act. We must make the “Act” useful. We have more than ourselves to consider.
Resources:
Pros and Cons of Ethanol. 2006 Yahoo! Inc. 13 Dec. 006<.http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center-article_46/> (Somewhat Informative)
The White House President George w. Bush. August 8.2005
13 Dec.2006. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050808-6.html>. (Very Useful)
Answers to the 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, woodchips and cornhusks.
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?
Automakers added flex-fuel feature to get a break form fuel-economy standards.
Q3- When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol? In 1979
Q4- In a paragraph, describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil’s key to success?
Ethanol crept into Brazil’s mainstream of fuels and accounted for 40% of the fuel used in Brazilian cars. Brazil 73% of the cars sold in 2005 came with the flex-fuel engines. Brazilian ethanol was sold 45% less per liter than gasoline in 2003 and 2004. The main success in Brazil is consumers that are choosing ethanol rather than being forced to buy it.
Q5- What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?
The yellow gas caps marked those cars with the flex-fuel engines.
Q6- Describe bio-diesel. Bio-diesel refers to ester made form oil and methanol.
Q7- Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
A flex-fuel engine is one that can use both ethanol and gasoline. Ford Motors.
Q8- Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site. (dates introduced, amended, pass or rejected).
1. Signed by President Bush on August 8th, 2005.
2. Congressman Russ Carnahan voted against the act.
3. Passed with 275 in favor, and 156 opposed in the House of Representatives
Q9- What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative? The purpose is to improve technologies for the commercialization of hybrid/ flexible-fuel vehicles.
Q10-
What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource? Hydroelectric dams
Q11- What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative? The purpose is to develop the technology to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen for use in fuel-cell vehicles.
Q12- List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.
1. 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.
2. Tax credits for the purchase of water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and other equipment that achieve certain efficiency levels when purchased for residential properties.
3. Offers businesses and consumers tax credits for the purchase of alternative- fuel and hybrid vehicles.
4. A new tax credit for manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
5. Provides 30 percent credit for investments in alternative fuel refueling stations.
6. Tax credits for the 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.
7. 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of solar, photovoltaic and fuel cell properties for use in residences.