Iola High School
Iola, Kansas
Teacher: Loretta Arnold
Alternative Fuels: The Future of America
By Molly Stanley
12th Grade
The United States of America is known for being extremely advanced in every area of technology, so why is America falling behind other countries, such as Brazil, when it comes to utilizing alternative fuels? Cars, trucks, and other machinery that run only on ethanol have been used in Brazil since 1979. Brazil uses sugar cane for their ethanol, which is the most energy-rich resource for ethanol known to science. The U.S. might not be able to grow sugar cane for ethanol, but we do have plenty of corn, prairie switch grass, corn husks, wood chips, and other agricultural waste that can be used for ethanol. If we already have these resources, why then are we stalling to actually put them to great use? America should change all gasoline fuels to ethanol and ethanol blends to lessen the dependence of our petroleum and oil sources and to gain control of energy prices for its American consumers. If we do not act now, we may forever be at the mercy of other third world countries which produce our gasoline.
The Department of Energy predicts that a thirty percent dent in the consumption of gasoline in America will result from switching to ethanol. Thirty percent! That’s quite a dent! However, the United States does not have to switch…to nothing but ethanol; we have the ability, so why not use flex-fuel technology instead? This technology is installed in cars so they can run either on gasoline or ethanol. The consumer does not have to choose between a vehicle running on gasoline and a vehicle running only on ethanol; consumers will automatically get both.
The advantage of such a move is obvious: the flex fuel technology is also good to have in case our country runs out of resources to make ethanol. This move would not endanger American drivers by causing our own energy shortage. The investment in such a move is solid. In 1990, Brazil had a sugar cane shortage which worried the drivers of cars which ran on ethanol. Those who owned ethanol cars found themselves unable to drive. Flex fuel technology has fixed problems like these. There would be little stress in the change over and there would be little worry of future energy shortages.
Using ethanol as fuel may seem like a new, technologically-advanced idea but it has actually been around as long as cars have! Henry Ford’s original “Model T” ran on ethanol. If ethanol started off fueling the cars of America, then it should certainly be able to still fuel our vehicles.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 presents numerous ideas to work towards our society using less energy; one of the most important areas being about vehicles and fuels. This act establishes a standard that by 2010, five billion gallons of ethanol will be introduced into the marketplace. Part of the act is to conduct a study on the amount of fuel consumed by automobiles and use those results to try and look for alternatives. Not only does this act focus on personal vehicles, it also looks at bus transportation. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that they will have over 200 million dollars in grants to replace current diesel-fueled school buses with alternative-fueled buses. This energy act enables Americans – individual citizens, public and private schools, and small and corporate businesses – to each do their own part in making America stronger and more productive.
Everything in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 seems to be worthwhile and helpful to our society and our current problem with dependence on gasoline. The United States made a good decision to pass this act, however, the government has a large amount of work in front of [it] if it plans to have certain tasks completed in just a few years. We must consider every aspect of such a nation-wide proposal if we are to truly become more self-sufficient. If a small country like Brazil can have such a successful experience with ethanol, than so can one of the most technically-advanced countries in the world. And if America can find a successful experience with ethanol. …This effort may grow to encompass the world. Growth and progress will flourish for all. The United States seems to have a very positive future with the use of alternative fuels. With the passing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, we are on our way to make that future become a reality.
Resources:
www.energycommerce.house.gov – Very informative. Pro reform bias and Con reform bias.
www.eei.org/industry_issues/electricity_policy/federal_legistlation/congress_passes_bill.pdf - Very informative. Neither pro or con, strictly informative.
www.eei.org/newsroom/press_releases/050808.htm - Fairly informative. Strictly informative.
www.ultrasonic-systems.com/ultrasonics/biodiesel_transesterification - Fairly informative. Pro reform bias.
Answers to the Required Reading Questions
Q1- Gassahol is a byproduct exclusively from corn and sugarcane
whereas cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural waste such as
cornstalks, grasses, and tree bark.
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?
Gas was expensive and people needed a cheaper means of transportation. This way, consumers could choose whichever was cheaper at the time.
Q3- When were the first
cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?
Way back when the Model T first came out.
Q4- In a paragraph, describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil’s key to success?
They had good soil for producing sugarcane which was an excellent
source for ethanol. Brazil started using cheaper means of fuel and all worked
well until they had a shortage on sugarcane. Because of this incidence, they
now use the flex-fuel system in which vehicles can run on both ethanol or
gasoline.
Q5- What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?
The yellow cap shows that ethanol can be used in that vehicle.
Q6- Describe bio-diesel.
It is non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable, safe, read-to-use fuel.
Q7- Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
It is an automobile that can run on both gasoline and ethanol. Ford produced the first prototype of this 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
On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was passed and signed.
Q9- What is
the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?
To get people to start thinking about using cars that run on fuels
other than gasoline.
Q10- What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource?
Agricultural waste such as corn husks, wood chips, and switchgrass.
Q11- What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative
To reduce reliance on foreign oil, plus it has zero-emission.
Q12- List
seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as
credits against their tax bills.
1) Tax
deduction equaling the cost of energy efficient equipment
installed if the equipment reduces the energy and power
consumption of a commercial building by 50 percent.
2) 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.
3) 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.
4) A new tax credit for manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators.
5) 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of solar, photovoltaic and fuel cell properties for use in residences
6) Expands an existing business solar investment tax credit from the current 10 percent to 30 percent for the purchase of solar equipment.
7) Efficiency and conservation tax credits encourage the construction of energy-efficient offices and homes, the purchase of energy efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances.