Thats Right. While everyone is complaining about $4 gas, its still
going to go higher before it "might" ever possibly go lower.
Reasonably informed politicians are telling us on the news that
high gas prices are here to stay, and that in addition to
conservation, Americans need to increase their use of biofuels. I
think that when the American people here this, it is thought of as
an issue of somebody else taking care of it. Something that will be
relevent to their lives in the future, just not today. This
irresponsible assumption is just another example of trying to defer
making any decision in implementing a sensible kind of a energy
policy to some future date.
As a 21 year old college student, I have made the financial
decision as a consumer to simply not buy high priced gasoline. I
have been concerned about rising gas prices for a few years and
have been useing ethanol as a substitute. Americans should consider
the economic benefits to the community in purchasing ethanol. Many
people can understand the benefits of locally grown food, both in
transportation cost and providing income to their neighbors. Where
I live in Fort Collins, CO there is an ethanol plant in a
neighboring rural community that produces 50 million gallons per
year. Millions of other people around the county live nearby to
facilities such as this, and we should support our fellow Americans
and neigbors who work to produce ethanol fuel, instead of
foreigners who live on the other side of the world. Ehanol has to
travel shorter distances than oil so its price advantage is going
to continue to grow.
My 1995 toyota celica has an aftermarket upgrade to the
computer system that allows it to efficiently burn ethanol. Total
cost of upgrade was $400, including labor. No other modifications
were needed. The fuel tank, lines, and pump are all original, and
old. E85 ethanol is not more corrosive than E10(regular gasoline
for y'all) and your car is required to be able to run that. Ethanol
cleans out sludge on older engines, and power can be greatly
improved. On my vehicle the increased power more than makes up for
the cost of the upgrade. If I drive with slower accelerations and
earlier upshifts, I can get 25-30MPG in the city. EPA estimated
fuel economy is only 21. My car recognizes the higher octane of E85
ethanol and burns it more efficiently than regular gasoline.
More people should start using ethanol in their own vehicles.
Substituting for gasoline with help both the consumer and the
general market. Competition will bring down the price of oil and
gas. The choice of renweable fuel is available, it just has to be
made by more people.
Added:
http://www.e85prices.com - See
if you can save big
Where I bought ethanol unit-
http://www.change2e85.com
In response to assignment:
Pain at the pump