Alternative Energies

In recent years, the United States, along with many other countries, has been the front runner in the solution to alternative fuels. Alternative Fuels are typically associated with fuels that are renewable, reliable, abundant, and low-pollutants. These alternative fuels include ethanol, hydrogen, methanol, and electricity. These fuels could be the future of the fuel industry in terms of user purchasing.      Use of these alternative fuels can reduce the harmful pollutants in the air, and could potentially reduce the dangerous greenhouse gas emissions made by the leading maunfacturering countries in the world. Most of these fuels, fortunately, can be mass produced domestically, which could new and rewarding jobs for the world.      Sadly, many of these fuels approved by the EPA and the current U.S. government in accord with its fellow industrial countries, classify many things as "alternative fuels." Natural Gas and methanol (blended with gasoline)  are nonrenewable, but because they are considerably less pollutant, they can be considered good. True, that this is good, but the problem becomes, they are nonrenewable.      Biodiesel- Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable source. this can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. This can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines.

Ethanol- Ethanol is an alcohol based renewable source. It is made in a distilling process on starch based vegetables and other grown products (i.e. potatoes, corn). It also can be, surprisingly, produced from cellulosic biomass from trees and grass. Ethanol can be blended with gasoline to create E85 or a higher ethanol concentration of E95.

Methanol- Methanol is the alcohol base from wood sourced that can be used in vehivles that run on M85. However automobile makers rarley make methanol running cars anymore because of its unpredictability and unreliability.           The U.S. Department of Energy is currently leading studies to research alternative fuels, and their benefits. However, this organization has been held back by the political agendas of the top branches for years. Private oil companies give considerable donations in campaigns to be shown leanience in congress. Many small businesses and civillians have found some of the most efficient ways to altenately fuel their lifestyles. Sadly, until a candidate who is  not funded by Big Oil is elected, the jump on alternative fuel and its serious worldwide uses may go unrealized.            We as a people can buy more energy effificent cars, and if we are able, hybrid cars. Possibly, invest in converter kits to change your engine into a hyrogen or even an ethanol fueled engine. We have to change one by one in order to obtain the goal of a healthier planet       Bob's Thoughts- I find it absolutely rediculous that financed politicians can not fund research to back the alternative fuels industry. What lawmakers need to do, is to sit with car companies, oil companies, and alternative fuel manufacturers and create cars (to begin with) that are able to run on both gasoline and alternative-fuel energy. If the oil companies invest in new more popular demands of consumers, (i.e. lower prices and lower emissions) than they may be able to see a profit in it may be greater than expected. The prospect of a readily available low emission cars could be far more appealing to consumers. I for one, wouldn't mind paying my $2.50 per gallon if I felt as though I wasn't personally tearing a whole in the ozone.

Source Used: http://www.eere.energy.gov/

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