WILL OUR LEADERS FOLLOW? While politicians argue about how to solve America's energy problems, the ethanol industry is actually developing new technologies to help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
For example, the Irvine, California-based company BlueFire Ethanol will soon be producing fuel from cellulosic material such as wood chips, non-recyclable paper, construction debris, grass clippings and other "green" municipal waste. This is waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, causing harm to the environment by breaking down into methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
A recent editorial in the forward-looking Daily Breeze (based in Los Angeles County, which has granted the permit for BlueFire to build its new $30 million facility) says: "Californians are fed up with high fuel prices, but some relief may finally be in sight. The ethanol industry is revving up to boost the supply of its renewable fuel in Los Angeles County. And the technology has advanced to the point that there are really few downsides to moving forward." In addition to Los Angeles County, BlueFire chief executive officer Arnold Klann said he hopes to build plants in other locations in Southern California, possibly the L.A. basin. The editorial also says “Increasing ethanol production here could also lead to an expanded market for flex-fueled vehicles in the L.A. area. E85 services stations could spring up to meet a growing demand by drivers.”
This isn't "California Dreamin." It's real progress, real innovators, real Americans creating energy, creating jobs and leading the way as a critical part of a real energy solution.
The renewable fuels industry is dedicated to continued leadership in innovation. Will our national leaders follow?
Source:
Daily Breeze. "The ethanol economy." August 30, 2008. http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinions/ci_10347019
Barb Miller is Marketing Director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. The organization provides information and access to resources for the Ethanol and biofuels industries.
