by Brother James

Created on: August 06, 2008

The technology that merges alternative motor fuel sources, namely ethanol, with flexible fuel engines can contribute much towards reducing American demand for OPEC's oil. Flexible fuel engines that use ethanol are a good first step towards energy independence but can not completely solve the situation. The myriad of products derived from petroleum is not matched by ethanol.In addition to fuels, petroleum is employed to produce asphalt, dyes, ink, lubricating oils, plastic, solvents and other effects. World Book Encyclopedia 2008 A dedicated effort to recycle more petroleum based materials would help reduce oil usage and thereby lessen reliance on OPEC. Public transportation improvements can help the nation recover from its oil addiction by reducing the traffic on the road. Furthermore,renewable energy sources such as solar and wind can help offset oil usage and OPEC dependency by replacing petroleum as the main power supply source.

Flexible fuel engines do not represent the only reply to OPEC but may well be the most effective and immediate response. Motor gasoline accounts for more then four out of every ten barrels of petroleum expended in the United States. www.eia.doe.gov/kids The flexible fuel engine's ability to incorporate ethanol as a complement (up to 85%) to gasoline has the potential to drastically reduce oil usage. Ethanol is derived from a variety of domestically available plants with corn leading the way as the principal source. Willow, and switch grass are other sources. According to a recent study, switch grass generates five times more energy then is needed to convert it into ethanol. And it grows wild in the plains states of the central U.S. Joint USDA-ARS and UNL Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources study, hayandforage.com

Today, there are over six million flexible fuel vehicles on America's roads. www.eere.energy.gov Ford alone has sold more than 1.5 million of these cars in the past twelve years. www.ford.com General Motors has contributed greater than three million automobiles to the flex fuel caravan that traverse American highways. www.g.m.com Cars that span the auto spectrum from the Nissan Sentra to the Lincoln Navigator are among model year 2008 selections.Furthermore,it is relatively inexpensive to convert a typical gasoline engine to accommodate ethanol.

America must vanquish its insatiable appetite for oil. The United States with less than 5% of the world's population devours 24% of this "black gold". www.eia.doe The raw resources utilized to make ethanol are native and abundant. Automobiles that possess flexible fuel engines are readily available and can become more so. One nation, Brazil, has already reduced foreign oil dependence by using ethanol derived from sugar in its flex fuel vehicles. news.bbc.co.uk The combination of domestic resources, available technology and proven track record indicate that flexible fuel engines powered with ethanol can help win the battle for energy independence.

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