ALTERNATIVE FUELS: WHAT, WHY, AND HOW Pamela Burns and Mindy Mize Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition North Central Texas Council of Governments

Petroleum  Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources  Where does oil come from?

Current U.S. Petroleum Consumption  We use about 275 billion gallons of oil each year.  That’s enough to fill 964 AT&T stadiums a year!

U.S. Petroleum Use by Sector

U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

 Canada (25%)  Saudi Arabia (12%)  Mexico (9%)  Venezuela (10%)  Nigeria (11%)

Pollution  Air  Water  Climate Change

One Solution: Alternative Fuels!

What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is:  A fuel made from biotic oil sources  Used in diesel engines  Biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil!

Biodiesel Feedstocks 1. Soybeans and other seeds 2. Algae 3. Vegetable oil 4. Animal fat 5. Other oil used for deep-frying

Biodiesel Pros & Cons  Made from renewable resources  Less air pollution  Non-toxic  Made in USA  Fuel filter may clog after first time use  May gel in cold weather ProsCons Glacier National Park, Montana

What is Ethanol?  Alcohol-based fuel  Used in gasoline engines  Made by fermenting and distilling crops that have been broken down into simple sugars  Two most common blends: E10 and E85

What is ethanol made from?  Corn  Sugar Cane  Switchgrass

Ethanol (E10 & E85) Pros & Cons  Made from renewable sources  Less pollution  Made in USA  Fewer miles per gallon in a car or truck  Not many E85 gas stations yet  Can be expensive to make ProsCons

Natural Gas  A gas found in underground rock formations  Renewable options  Produced in USA  Reduces CO 2 emissions by 25%

Propane  Byproduct of natural gas and oil refining  Nontoxic  Produced in USA  Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 18%

Electric Vehicles (EVs)  Plug-in vs. Hybrid  Electricity Generation  Easy Refueling  Produced in USA  Zero Tailpipe Emissions

Wrap-Up…  Petroleum o Nonrenewable o Only half of what we need produced in USA o More pollution  Alternative fuels o Renewable or nonrenewable o Made in USA o Cleaner burning = less pollution!

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