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Biofuel Beckons

With gasoline prices continuing to spike, and a national push to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, interest in ethanol as an alternative fuel source is mounting.

Ethanol-based fuels (usually a mix of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline) can be used in any vehicle on the market today, and even in other gas-powered machines, such as lawn mowers, chain saws and boats. Fuels that contain even higher amounts of ethanol are available for specially designed cars and trucks.

Ethanol - made from corn and other sources of biomass - is cheaper than gasoline and leaves the air cleaner, because it produces fewer tailpipe emissions. According to some estimates, use of ethanol-based fuels in 2005 reduced carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. by 7.8 million tons.  This is definitely a step in the right direction, and the trend will accelerate as scientists develop more and more efficient ways to produce ethanol, especial from agricultural waste from growing food which they turn it into ethanol using bacteria in vats, almost like brewing beer.   

That figure is sure to climb in the coming years, especially in light of a new policy that requires the U.S. to increase its use of renewable energy sources. The U.S. currently produces 4.3 billion gallons of ethanol, and another 2 billion gallons of annual capacity is under construction. The 2005 Energy Policy Act requires the U.S. to use 7 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012.

Switching to bio-based fuels has two huge advantages.  The first is that it helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  Because most of our oil comes from overseas, the dollars we spend for petroleum detract from our economy and send money to unstable regions.  Some of that money winds up in the hands of terrorists.  By replacing the oil with domestically-grown fuel, we actually fight terrorism.

The second reason is also vital for our national security.  While biofuels aren't perfect, the more we use them the more we can decrease our greenhouse gas emissions, and fight global warming.  Biofuels are recycled, literally.

A plant takes energy from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air, and converts it into plant material.  When we use biofuels made out of plant materials, we're releasing that carbon back into the atmosphere.  Some sources of biofuels are better than others because they require less additional energy input-like the fuel it takes to drive a tractor to raise corn.  But scientists now calculate that even with that additional input, using biofuels contributes to climate protection.

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For more information on alternative fuel sources, please visit www.ethanol.org, www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/ethanol.html, www.journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html.

For more information on global warming and what you can do to prevent it, please go to www.fightglobalwarming.com or www.cleartheair.org.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org