The state of Pennsylvania has created a $5.3 million annual grant program to help accelerate the production and use of biofuels. The biofuels would be produced in the state and diminish the use of and dependence upon foreign oil.

“Pennsylvania’s alternative energy industry continues to grow through the development and deployment of a new generation of power sources and fuels and smart energy policies,” said acting Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger about Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program. “Alternative fuels made from Pennsylvania’s crops are cleaner and invest millions of dollars into our economy by supporting our rural, agriculture-based communities.”

Since July, developers of fuel in Pennsylvania are required to put a percentage of ethanol or biodiesel into every gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel, respectively.  The governor of Pennsylvania, Ed. Rendell, put the legislation in force to encourage production of alternative fuels in the state.  The legislation allows for up to 10% of ethanol every gallon of gasoline and 20% of biodiesel in every gallon of diesel fuel.
 
The legislation which is called the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program, will give 75 cents per gallon to eligible applicants, with a cap of $1.9 million annually per single producer. Up to $5.3 million annually will be available under the program through fiscal year 2010-2011.

Eligibility for the monthly incentives for producing alternative fuel, is dependent on applicants  producing and selling 25,000 gallons or more per month of qualified biomass-based diesel in Pennsylvania for transportation or home heating purposes.

Applications are available from DEP and will initially cover reimbursement requests for biodiesel produced and sold in Pennsylvania from July 1 through Sept. 30.  Applications must be postmarked or received by Nov. 14.   You can find information at www.depwe.state.pa.us, keyword: Alternative Fuels.

Of course, many of these vehicles are still in the experimental stage, with scientists, researchers and auto manufacturers looking closely at them – literally microscopically – to determine flaws and discover ways to improve the vehicles.

BMW is also participating in world wide efforts to create cars powered by alternative types of energy.  BMW is known for excellent automobiles and plans to use their high technology to produce a Mini that will live up to BMW’s standards.  “By introducing the Mini E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic,” the company said.  BMW, as well as potential customers await the introduction the Mini E at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008.

There is a catch, however.  Only 500 of these tiny and efficient cars will come to the United States and will be leased – not sold – at a hefty price of $850 per month, which is more than some people’s rent or house payment. They will only be available in New York, California and New Jersey as a test to see how well the market accepts the car and what consumers think.  In addition, the test will help uncover any changes or upgrades that might be necessary. 

Your $850 per month comes complete with all maintenance and repairs needed. The Mini E will be stylish with a big yellow plug logo painted on the roof and a serial number on the front bumper of each car. The car can be re-charged overnight in a regular outlet, or in 2.5 hours through a special high-speed charger.  The one drawback is that the car will be a two-seater at this point, because the battery is behind the seats and takes up a lot of space.  The future will determine whether or not there will be a smaller battery, and how soon it could be available.

There are always plusses and minuses when it comes to creating new products and ideas.  BMW is now stepping up to join the fight for workable and logical alternatives for fossil fuels.

Alternative Fuel Technology has developed fuel injector systems for vehicles that run on DME.  They also provide DME fuel systems  for testing and research. 

An exceptional attribute of these systems is that they are low cost and efficient, and they can be retrofitted to work with most diesel engines.  The diesel engines that are equipped and retrofitted can then run on the new fuel, DME, which will burn cleaner, lower NOx emissions, eliminate smoke emissions such as soot particulates and eliminate exhaust odor. 

DME is considered by many to be the ultimate bio-fuel because of the attributes we have already discussed.  It is cheaper, better for the environment and can be derived from numerous natural resources including methanol, coal, natural gas and biomass.  Another factor making DME a great bio-fuel is the fact that DME can be administered and sold through existing propane infrastructure.  This provides DME a great advantage over other alternative fuels.  DME can also be used in most diesel engines with little or no modifications to the vehicle.

There has been a lot of research regarding alternative fuel, but most of the research has been geared and directed toward fuel for engines other than diesel engines.  The DME fuel systems being created by Alternative Fuel Technology, LLC are a giant step in the right direction.  With so many diesel engines on the road – from cars to trucks to 18-wheelers – the DME fuel systems can not only help the environment, but also help drivers of diesel run vehicles at the same time.

According to numerous statements by numerous airlines in answer to all the questions about what will happen to fares in the wake of fuel prices that are falling, the airlines cannot afford to lower fares.

Here’s how it theoretically works.  David Castelveter spokesman for the Air Transport Association has explained that because the fuel prices were so high and kept the airline companies way over budget most of this year up until a few weeks ago, the airlines are still struggling to catch up because they are still in the hole.

Castelveter stated that “you don’t recover from multi-billion dollar increases in your fuel bill in a few weeks.  The carriers are on line to lose $5 billion this year.”  Part of the reason for this is that they were slow to react to rising fuel prices and once they did react, they acted slowly and cautiously trying to save money for customers in order to keep people traveling, and also hoping that fuel prices would level off or go back down sooner than they did.

There are still some good deals to be found, especially if you live in an area that is served by Southwest Airlines or other airlines that are known for their low cost flights.  Overall, however, air fares have increased 20% to 40% depending upon the airport, where you are traveling and how far in advance you book a flight.  In addition higher and more taxes and fees, and fees for baggage (how can you be expected to pay for your one and only suitcase?).

The airlines are simply trying to survive.  They have cut down on the number of flights they offer so that they can save money flying half-empty planes by consolidating more passengers to fill up fewer flights. 

The Air Transport Association and some of the airlines feel that once everything levels out, the fuel crisis eases and the economy becomes balanced, we can look for some gradual decreases in fares.  Until then, all we can do is wait.

Of course, alternative fuel will cut or eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.  We also know that there are benefits to the environment for various reasons, especially lower or no emissions and more self-containment.

In addition, there are plusses for the economy and employment, which are inextricably linked.  With the economy in the shape it is in, some good news about economical improvement and more jobs is music to the ears of politicians and just plain everyday people.

Before we get too over-the-top excited, it is important to remember that this is not an overnight fix.  Though there are many organizations, corporations, cities, states and the federal government working diligently to find ways to develop fuel alternatives and some have already started their work – it will take time for the migration from fossil fuels to the “greener” alternatives to take place. 

Researchers estimate that it can take up to 2.5 to 3 decades for the transition to be complete, but along the way, at least 4.2 million jobs will be created, new training opportunities will exist, and additional jobs will be added along the way.  Jobs can involve every area from working on wind turbines for energy to creating alternative fuel – and everything in between.

In all, it is agreed by lawmakers and corporate executives alike that a concerted effort to use various forms of alternative fuel and energy and continue working hard to do this sooner rather than later will make a positive contribution to the environment, the economy and employment prospects from here forward.

One of the main drawbacks or the hybrid cars has been their batteries.  The typical battery – a lead acid battery – can store a great amount of energy, however there are also problems associated with them.  When they are charged and discharged repeatedly, as in turning on and off a car engine, the battery gradually fills with deposits of chemicals, which coat the inside of the battery.  These deposits make the battery wear out much faster.

Researchers have been looking for a battery that will not have those problems, and a company named CSIRO out of Australia has created the Ultra Battery.  The Ultra Battery combines a lead acid battery with a supercapacitor.  The Ultra Battery will store as much energy as a regular lead acid battery without the battery plate getting coated with deposits that make it wear out sooner.  The capacitor acts as a buffer during charging and discharging so that this does not happen and the life of the battery is extended.

During testing, the Ultra Battery lasted 4 times as long as the lead acid battery and drove over 185,000 km without any problems.  The Ultra Battery was still in good shape with plenty of energy left to keep running. 

Cost has been another worry regarding batteries for hybrid cars.  The Ultra Battery should solve that problem as well.  The projected cost of the Ultra Battery is about one-third to one-fourth of NiMH batteries and only one-sixth of what the lithium ion batteries used on higher powered electric cars cost.  A couple of Battery manufacturers in Japan and the United States have begun the process of modifying their plants so that they can begin manufacturing the Ultra Battery, making it available sometime next year.

The trend toward keeping the planet green and helping to do it by using small efficient cars has been combined at the Paris Auto Show, in many cases through the premiere of electric cars.  It has become apparent that the economy will be headed in the “green” direction – keeping the earth green, and by doing so by the use of electric cars; it should keep some green in both automakers and consumers’ pockets.

All of a sudden everyone is interested in electric cars – even the United States.  There are a number of reasons for this, but the main one is the fuel crisis and its impact on economics.  Last month only 1 million cars were sold in the United States.  That’s a very scant number.  In fact, this is the lowest amount of cars sold in a month in the last 15 years.  Europe is worried about the same situation.  Half of the cars purchased in Europe are financed, so the number of cars sold has a huge effect on the economy.

This is why the electric car is getting so much attention.  There are 19 electric cars showing at the Paris Auto Show.  They are all similar versions of the same basic car – a small car that can be plugged into a regular outlet at home or at a charging station.  The idea is that charging stations will be made available at various easily accessible places on the street – instead of the way that filling stations are used now.  Charging would take about 6 hours for a complete charge at 110 volts in the U.S., or 3 hours at 220 volts in Europe.  The cars can run for about 100 miles when fully charged, which is great for city commuters.

The Chevy Volt is one of the cars on display at the Paris Auto Show.  The Volt is currently being tested in Denmark and Chevy plans to sell between 100,000 and 200,000 units starting in 2010.  These would switch from fuel to electricity when the fuel runs out.  It is estimated that by 2015 there will have been 2.5 million electric cars sold in Europe. 

There will still be hurdles.  If the price of fuel continues to drop the way they have been dropping, many people may choose to keep their old cars a little longer rather than spend $10,000 for a new car.  In addition, nobody really knows how strong the market for electric cars will be and there are other alternatives that could come on the market as well.

Regardless, there are now beginning to be more options, and they are all the rage these days in Paris.

Here we are a few weeks later and the situation has been going the opposite way.  The predictions were that the price of fuel would continue to rise as economic woes continued to get worse.  While forecasters were fanning the flames of fear, economists and others started warning that the fuel crisis and the economic crisis are linked – not just locally – but also globally. 

The issue now is that with stocks tumbling, real estate and mortgages falling apart and banks having to be rescued on a daily basis, it is impossible for oil prices to be separated out of the mix.

In the past week alone, the cost of crude per barrel has fallen over $6.00, to under $87.00.  In a period when gasoline was up over $4 per gallon a month or so ago with dire predictions about $5, $6, or $7 per gallon or higher being tossed about, it has been interesting to see how fast the price per gallon has plummeted to below $3.50 per gallon, and even more interesting that the predictions are that the price per gallon of regular gasoline will be less than $3 by the end of the next 30 days.

Some of the forecasters that have long term foresight have been issuing strong warnings that as the stock market and the economy get worse; the price of gas would go down.  People would not be able to afford to purchase it at the high prices during a severe economic downturn.  When the stock market is as volatile as it has been recently dropping between 500 and 800 points in one session and affecting global markets, there are definitely economic repercussions.  Europe is experiencing worry, fear and panic by its citizens because of the far-reaching effects of the economic problems.

Some of the only folks who might be experiencing a little extra relief are the auto dealers who sell large cars and trucks – and who have plenty sitting around because fuel was too high for people to purchase – or those who own large cars or trucks and were really feeling the pinch at the pump more than those with economical cars.

We are not out of the woods yet, and the economic and fuel crisis is not as simple as it may seem.  For now, we may be getting a break on gasoline, but keep your eyes peeled – there is more to this roller coaster ride than meets the eye.

Employers have taken note and are trying to use some creative ideas when it comes to dealing with the commute – or non commute – and getting the work done.

One way that employers are dealing with the situation is by doing two things that other cities and some businesses in Atlanta had already been doing as the fuel crisis has been increasing.  Some businesses have gone to a 4 day, 10 hour per day work week, eliminating one day of commuting which saves gas and money for employees.  Many businesses have implemented a system of telecommuting so that unless employees actually have to be in the office, they can perform their regular duties from home.  Telecommuting has been around for a while now, but some employer have been reluctant to try it for various reasons, including the fact that they feel it is not as effective, efficient or productive.  Actually, employers that have been using telecommuting for some time now report just the opposite – employees are getting more done and doing a better job.  The current fuel crisis is forcing some employers to try telecommuting and/or the 4 day work week, and that may be the norm for the future.

Other ways that employers are trying to get the work done and help employees at the same time include providing van and carpools, subsidizing or paying for bus or rail passes so employee do not have to drive and even other employers are offering employees $500 if they buy a car that has two cylinders less than they are driving now and $1,000 if they buy a hybrid.

The Clean Air Campaign in Atlanta,  is so busy trying to field questions and help employers and employees with ideas in the face of the fuel crisis, that they have had to add several employees to handle the overflow.  Though the fuel crisis is creating difficulties and inconveniences for commuters, employers and employees alike, it  is also creating opportunities to develop short term and long term ideas that can prevent this type of situation from happening again.

It is unfortunate that things had to get to this point and people have had to find answers to hard questions very quickly, however, necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention.  Now that the necessity is upon us and the inventions are coming to the fore, we should continue to develop them, improve them and stay focused on them, unlike the way we forgot many of the ideas and lessons of the gas shortages of the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Let’s take the opportunity – like Atlanta is doing – to be creative and to get it right this time.

The folks that live in the southeastern United States have been hit with multiple hurricanes one after the other and have had a difficult time just beginning to try to recover.  Now, on top of the grueling recovery, there is a severe fuel shortage that has hit the area as well. 

Because oil production had to be temporarily halted due to the storms, many areas in the southeast are playing catch up.  In Sandy Springs, GA, a mail carrier went twelve miles out of his way to get to a gas station that had gasoline to sell.  When he got to the station, he had to wait in line for 40 minutes to be able to get to the pump and purchase gas for his mail truck.  As they say, neither sleet, nor snow nor hail nor rain…not gas shortages.  The mail will get through. 

Many drivers are reporting having to go to several gas stations that are out of gas before they find one that has gas, and then they must wait in long lines to be able to purchase the gas they need.  The refineries had to shut down in advance of the hurricanes and it takes a while for them to get pumps up and flowing and online again.  Some of the refineries are still not up and running yet.

In addition to this delay, the U.S. Department of Energy states that even before the hurricanes, gas inventories were at their lowest levels since 1967.  On the other hand, there are some supplies of fuel getting through to the area, but the governor of Georgia feels that part of the shortage is self-induced because people are panicking and rushing out to purchase all the gas they can, which artificially increases the demand on an already thin supply.

In the weeks to come, everyone from the governors to lawmakers to the Department of Energy predict that fuel supplies will get back to normal.  They – as well as consumers – are looking much more carefully at ways to implement alternatives sooner rather than later, now that they know just what the combination of the aftermath of hurricanes and severe weather plus fuel shortages actually feels like.