Could Improved Gas Mileage Help Save Lives?

Interesting comment about U.S. consumption of oil.

I had never heard this about our reliance on foreign oil, but it's definitely a point to look into a little more for every American who drives any gas using vehicle.

"A STRATEGY MOVING AMERICA AWAY FROM OILThe Arlington Institute has been commissioned by the US Defence Department to set up recommendations on how America could become less dependent on oil and subsequently not have to defend its global oil interests militarily. The recommendations are complex, yet one simply states that if every car in the US were to drive an additional 4 kilometres per US gallon, America would no longer be dependent on oil imports. Meeting this recommendation is, no doubt, far easier than resorting to armed conflict. "

Interesting thoughts...

Al

Electric Powered Car GREAT for Disabled Drivers

While this isn't actually a fuel-efficient, energy saving car for everyone. It is definitely interesting to know about.

Fit a full-sized wheelchair with disabled driver inside of this car? Not a problem!

"Functionallity and use of design:

The design enables the driver to get in and out of the vehicle with a manual wheelchair without changing his seat. The wheelchair locks automatically in place. It can be also used without the vehicle. The vehicle is driven and controlled by a joystick and its connecting panels from the wheelchair. Size: 2125 x1335 x 1505
Drawbacks of life improvement:

There have been no drawbacks/flip sides known on the basis of our experiences and researches for the time being. "

WOW - very cool.

Al

Supreme Court will decide on greenhouse gas pollution regulation

This oughta be real interesting. The U.S. Supreme Court is going to hear a case on the apparent "greenhouse" gas issue, as far as the United States environment is concerned.

This could have an impact on every single person in this country. So you need to follow along with the developments...

"Spurred by states in a pollution battle with the Bush administration, the court said it would decide whether the Environmental Protection Agency is required under the federal clean air law to treat carbon dioxide from automobiles as a pollutant harmful to health.

The decision could determine how the nation addresses global warming.

President Bush has rejected calls by environmentalists and some lawmakers in Congress to regulate carbon dioxide, the leading heat-trapping 'greenhouse' gas going into the atmosphere. Bush favors voluntary actions and development of new technologies to curtail such emissions.

But a dozen states argued that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping chemicals from automobile tailpipes should be treated as unhealthy pollutants. They filed a lawsuit in an effort to force the EPA to curtail such emissions just as it does cancer-causing lead and chemicals that produce smog and acid rain."

Talk Soon,
Al Speer

California dependence on few oil suppliers could be costly

The west coast, and California in particular, might be the hardest hit parts of the U.S. as far as gas pricing.

Find out why below...

"two Arab countries have supplied almost 50 percent of California's imported oil over the past five years, a dependence that leaves the state more vulnerable than the rest of the country to disruptions in the world oil markets. "

Very interesting reading. It makes you really want to think about other automobile and transportation fuel options.

All the best,
Al

Saving Money at the Gas Bank

This is an interesting NEW way of buying gas that I've never heard of.

It sounds like a "KILLER" idea, but maybe not so easy to set up. But if you can get involved with one - GO FOR IT!

"'My truck only gets 14 miles per gallon, but even so, I mean it only costs me $12 to fill it up,' she says.
Blount is one of the 9,800 members of First Fuel Bank � the only business of its kind in the country.
For a $1 membership fee, customers can pre-buy gasoline in bulk on the commodities market."

All the best,
Al Speer

Government promoting Sugar as an Alternative Ethanol fuel source

This is a great article about what may the future of alternative fuels in America.

Sugar as a source for ethanol has been going on a long time in Brazil, so the U.S. is looking at the idea. But many questions still remain.

"the soaring demand for ethanol and Brazil's successful track record make it worth discussing sugar-based ethanol in the United States.

'At some point in the future it may be worthy of commercial development,' he said. 'Technologically, it's possible. The question is: is it economically feasible?'
Collins noted that besides cheaper sugar, Brazil has higher yields per acre because of better climate and investment in more-productive strains of sugar cane.

'So, obviously, we can look at the technology of conversion, and learn some things from them about that,' Collins said. 'But it's a little hard for us just to look at Brazil and conclude that their structure of production would be our structure of production. We can't conclude that.'"

This is a great article to read and get more ideas about where alternative fuel sources are heading.

All the best,
Al

Unusual gas protests

I've heard of protests before, and I've heard of gas protests. But this is one of the most unusual I've ever heard of.

Nude cyclists ride through Prague's Old Town Square as part of "The World Naked Bike Ride," a protest against oil dependency and the ever-increasing number of cars on the road.

All the best,
Al Speer

Wind Power Debate not as clear cut as I thought

HMM, this is an interesting side of the wind power debate, that I had never heard of. Essentially, it sounds like almost everyone is gung-ho for wind power, but there are some opponents to it, who mostly want to stop it because of it's detrimental value to recreational past-times.

"National groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club used to uniting against specific projects are now united for renewable energy in general. And they are particularly high on wind power — with the caveat that a few, but only a few, special places should be turbine-free.

"The broader environmental movement knows we have this urgent need for renewable energy to avert global warming," said John Passacantando, executive director of Greenpeace U.S.A. "But we're still dealing with groups that can't get their heads around global warming yet."

Indeed, the best winds, especially in the East, tend to blow in places that are also ideal for hiking, sailing, second homes and spirit-soothing views. These include the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Cod and the ridges of northern Appalachia. Local opposition to unwanted development remains a potent force.

So when it comes to wind, the environmental movement is riven with dissonance and accusations of elitism. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s very public opposition to the 130-turbine Cape Wind energy facility proposed off Nantucket Sound has driven a wedge between activists. Dan Boone's circuit riding against wind projects, while not attracting the same celebrity notice, has exasperated many Sierra Club compatriots even more."

Just a little more to think about, in regards to the wind power debate.

Best Wishes,
Al Speer

A New Generation of "Green" activists at US colleges

Alternative energies are the tidal wave coming upon us and our future generations. Current college students are leading the charge.

"The new face of the U.S. environmental movement might well be Thomas Hand, who studied economics and auto repair at Vermont's Middlebury College, the better to refit cars to run on used vegetable oil instead of fossil fuel."

Not a lot here, just wanted to keep you updated on what is coming down the pipe for our energy needs.

Al

Diesel Fuel Comes Clean

In a move to try and curb emissions and pollution, the EPA has changed the way diesel fuels will be produced and sold. In addition, it looks like, the vehicles and engines that use diesel fuel will also be changing in the Not-Too-Distant future.

Let's hope this is a step in the right direction. Although I'm sure it won't help our pocket books. I don't think there's any help hope of that EVER.

In a move that may presage diesel's Cinderella-like transformation, the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday required US refineries to begin making ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), a fuel with 97 percent less sulfur than ordinary diesel that, as a result, slashes soot emissions.

The rule, which mandates that 80 percent of the diesel produced for highway use be ULSD-compliant, was just the first step. By Oct. 15, all filling stations now selling diesel will be required to sell ULSD instead of or in addition to diesel.

All who drive diesel vehicles - which account for only about 3 percent of sales of light-duty vehicles - will immediately emit about 10 percent less pollution upon shifting to ULSD. But the biggest pollution abatement - as much as 90 percent cleaner - will come with the EPA-mandated debut of "clean diesel" engines, probably late next year or early in 2008.

All the best,
Al Speer

Big U.S. auto-makers get a KICK in the "Jimmy"

You know...

We all knew it was coming. That it was just a matter of time.

Well, it looks like that time has finally reached us. The big U.S. car manufacturers who keep making their big, freaking vehicles are finally feeling the pinch - or drop-kick - as you might say.

"The Big Three US automakers' reliance on trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to drive profits hit another pothole in May as consumers switched to more fuel-efficient passenger cars and cross-utility vehicles.

Asian automakers -- which offer a wider range of more fuel-efficient vehicles -- continued to post sales and market share gains, now accounting for 40.2 percent of the massive US market, up from 36.3 percent a year ago, according to Autodata.

The Big Three's market share fell to just 52.9 percent in May from 57.6 percent a year ago.

The shift towards more cars and car-based utility vehicles will likely have a significant effect on profitability..."

I guess it's time for these auto companies to start giving us "REAL" options toward better gas mileage. Instead of their token attempts at saving us money with 20-30 mpg.

We need stuff that will be economical, and still get the job done.

All the best,
Al

Fiji Island eco-project offers an Interesting alternative living co-op

This is an interesting new slant on the whole timeshare concept. These guys are offering a co-operative experience on a Fijian island to those who are seeking a more "back to basics" kind of lifestyle.

Check it out, and let me know what you think.

Tribewanted.com -- a new spin on the concept of timeshare vacations -- is the brainchild of two British entrepreneurs who are seeking 5,000 people to join an online community to oversee the sustainable development of a 200-acre (81-hectare) Pacific island.

For a fee ranging from $220 to $660, members can join the "tribe" for one to three years and buy the right to visit the island of Vorovoro in Fiji for between one and three weeks.

All the best,
Al