| As you can see from some of our previous | | | | the pistons or block. Piston technology is, in its |
| articles, government agencies predict about 40 | | | | primitive sense, the same design for the last 100 |
| years of petroleum still remains. As usage climbs, | | | | years when steam coursed through the cylinders |
| the amount of time remaining may shrink even | | | | instead of fuel explosion force. Air-fuel ratios are |
| more. New reserves will be found, but developing | | | | the biggest hurdle in engine conversions, and |
| countries, such as we're seeing in China with their | | | | computerized sensors would allow a slow |
| industrial revolution taking place, will demand | | | | changeover without interruptions. By being able to |
| greater volumes of petroleum to supply energy | | | | sense what fuel is being used, engines could run |
| needs. | | | | on ethanol/gasoline for gas engines, or diesel |
| People under 50 years of age should be | | | | biodiesel for diesel engines, with any proportions, |
| considering this phenomenon as a potentially | | | | and switch back and forth. |
| life-changing circumstance. For most of us, there | | | | While some may envision a whiskey still in |
| is little we can do except watch events play out, | | | | everyone's backyard, that is far from realistic. |
| and perhaps vote when the opportunity arises. | | | | Americans enjoy their plush way of life, and |
| Our industries must step up to the plate to meet | | | | expect to pull up to a fuel pump anywhere in their |
| the task at hand. | | | | travels and fill up their tank. Only the fuel |
| Since the first petroleum shortages of the 70's, | | | | mega-companies are up to the task of maintaining |
| some groups have come to the forefront to | | | | such presence. So with all likelihood, the future of |
| inform others about the dangers and difficulties | | | | alternative fuel manufacturing still lies with major |
| we will face. Few took them seriously. Radical | | | | petro-producers. |
| groups made drastic lifestyle changes to reduce | | | | Some experts have said that alternative fuels are |
| their own fuel consumption, and hoped that | | | | "unfeasible". Perhaps a true statement when |
| others would follow suit. | | | | looking at the bottom line profit, but as petroleum |
| Not likely. | | | | prices rise, this gap closes, and may reach a point |
| However, these groups are and have been | | | | where feasibility is achieved. Corporations will |
| dedicated to spreading the word to the public that | | | | make the jump when this gap is closed.....it's a |
| we are running out of fuel as we know it. It won't | | | | simple buck to them. It will be important that the |
| be today, nor next week, nor even 10 years | | | | American community at large supports such |
| from now. Maybe it's 80 years from now, but all | | | | conversions with their capital stock investments, |
| signs and reports indicate we are running out. | | | | and with their patronage. In other words, be willing |
| Social Security also has 40 years of successful | | | | to burn an alternative fuel. |
| operation, but the Bush Administration has clearly | | | | Along the lines of feasibility, how about making it |
| taken on the task of "fixing social security", | | | | feasible for farmers to produce high-oil crops, or |
| because in about 40 years it's going to crash too, | | | | crops for fuel? Millions of acres in the Midwest lay |
| according to administrative estimates. | | | | idle, because the government programs that pay |
| We suggest that fuel alternatives are even more | | | | farmers NOT to grow crops are more lucrative |
| important than social security. | | | | than the potential profit of growing them. For the |
| Without fuel----and MASSIVE quantities of it--- this | | | | farmer, it is also a simple buck. So if the |
| nation will dry up like a sand dune. Operations of | | | | government is going to invest tax dollars in these |
| most business will cease, and we'll be returned to | | | | operations, how about paying a farmer TO |
| the pre-industrial age. Keep vaccinating the horse | | | | GROW a crop used for fuel? At least this would |
| population for West Nile Virus.....we may need | | | | allow such acreage payments to be a benefit to |
| them for transportation. | | | | the country......perhaps the world, by moving slowly |
| It is our belief, although we have no solid | | | | toward independence with regard to fuel |
| evidence, that fuel companies are squarely behind | | | | production. |
| the petroleum pumps, and the scare is played | | | | Electrical power generation is another large |
| very low-key. Huge profits exist where a product | | | | consumer of energy. Nuclear, coal, and |
| can simply be drawn from the ground, and with | | | | hydroelectric make up the bulk of this grid, but |
| one refining process, produce gasoline, diesel fuel, | | | | wind power is beginning to make significant |
| propane, methane, etc. from the run. It is by far, | | | | additions as well. In the last website we reviewed, |
| the cheapest present alternative for large | | | | electricity from wind power is at about 6%. |
| companies. All corporate companies are dollar | | | | There is tremendous opportunity to increase the |
| driven, and so it makes perfect sense for them | | | | contributions of electrical power via wind and |
| to continue using petroleum. Our government has | | | | hydro. Because the amounts of power needed |
| committed more resources than we can ever | | | | are so great, wind farms and hydroelectric dams |
| afford, to secure and protect our overseas | | | | are huge development projects, which can have a |
| interests where petroleum is abundant. | | | | great impact on the landscape and surrounding |
| If new massive volumes of petroleum are | | | | environment. Environmentalists that reject such |
| located, it will alleviate some of the crisis for the | | | | proposals need to give themselves a reality |
| time being. But this looming crisis will never go | | | | check, and come to grips with the size of the |
| away. It is imperative that government begin | | | | problems America faces. |
| providing the means for business of all sizes to | | | | Yes, hydro and wind will impact the environment. |
| develop alternative fuel strategies. Government | | | | Yes, we'll kill some birds. And yes, some fish (lots |
| does at present provide some incentives, in tax | | | | of fish) will be re-navigated because of |
| breaks, informational support, and even grants, | | | | hydroelectric dams. But no American......not even |
| but more can be done. Investing large quantities | | | | an environmentalist.....is willing to give up their |
| of time and money into the research and | | | | computer, their hair dryer, their car, their massive |
| development of alternatives is crucial. | | | | amounts of printer paper, their telephones, their |
| As supplies dwindle, this ever-growing concern will | | | | cell phones, their lovely homes.....well, you get the |
| do just that. It will grow. Oil companies will | | | | idea. So the impact to the planet if we do NOT |
| continue to lobby Congress, and place propaganda | | | | develop these technologies is significantly worse. |
| in the public eye to insure them that everything is | | | | No one will willingly return to the stone age, so |
| OK......just buy oil. But at the same time, the | | | | any and every fossil fuel will be seized, stolen, or |
| concern about dwindling supplies, and the | | | | warred after to make the power.....at far greater |
| subsequent raise in prices for petroleum fuels will | | | | environmental harm. It is more likely that America |
| begin to catch the attention of the general public. | | | | would bomb itself back into the stone age over |
| At present, the best bet for alternative, | | | | the last drop of oil rather than "conserve" or |
| renewable fuels appears to exist with ethanol, | | | | adapt the livestyle of Laura Ingalls Wilder. |
| biodiesel, and the newest addition to the list, | | | | We believe that true energy freedom will not be |
| hydrogen fuel cells. But full compatibility with | | | | acquired until our energy is produced from |
| regard to motors and machinery will require some | | | | renewables within our borders. |
| changes in manufacturing. Since most new | | | | Mega-consolidators will still hold the reins to |
| vehicles are now monitored by computerized | | | | alternative energies. They'll still have their lobbyists, |
| equipment, governments need to encourage | | | | and a lot of money in their coffers. However, the |
| engine manufacturers to engineer and develop | | | | American Dream will still live on. Our way of life |
| computerized motors that can determine a fuel | | | | depends upon the procurement and distribution of |
| mix, ethanol, gasoline, biodiesel, etc. and make | | | | affordable energy. Only with public support and |
| adjustments to the fuel burning mix at the | | | | the encouragement of Congress can businesses |
| injection point. Few changes would be needed on | | | | develop the systems needed to make it happen. |