It appears that consideration to land-use changes were not studied in great detail in determining the effectiveness of corn-based biofuel as a viable solution for environmental concerns. The journal Science will soon be publishing accounts from two studies conducted by independent research teams from Princeton University and from the Nature Conservancy that looked at these issues in more detail.
The growing concern is that the solution to use corn-based ethanol in the future will further increase greenhouse gas emissions. Producing ethanol = global warming? That could be the case according to the researchers which included co-authors from Iowa State University, the Woods Hole Research Center and the Agricultural Conservation Economics. It seems unfortunate that this is being reported after a push in the U.S. to increase the use of biofuels in the next decade or so; and it obviously warrants some future study into the questions raised.
The biggest concern is not that ethanol is bad but whether the road taken to get the corn-based ethanol we want as a source of renewable fuel is justifiable. Tearing down forests or replacing current grass- and croplands to produce biofuels is causing more environmental concerns worldwide than solutions. Read the rest of this entry »
Some of you may have done your 2007 taxes already and more may perform well under pressure and prefer to wait till the April 15 deadline. Whatever your preference, one thing is for certain, if you’re considering claiming a tax deduction on the purchase of a hybrid car it is no simple task. It is easier to figure out what makes up your credit score then what your possible tax credit will be for purchasing a hybrid car.
Some things to consider when applying for your tax credit:
1. The purchase date of your vehicle
2. When you actually acquire the vehicle
3. The type of vehicle purchased
4. The number sold of that particular type of vehicle
5. Whether the vehicle is leased or owned by the purchaser
6. Whether the vehicle is new or used
The above factors into what the credit amount of the vehicle is to start and what percentage of credit the buyer will realize upon tax time. Read the rest of this entry »
E. coli is being manipulated to produce hydrogen. Professor Thomas Wood and his research team at Texas A&M University’s Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering are managing to create 140 times more hydrogen with less energy than the amount it would take to process it naturally.
You can’t talk about fuel-cell technology without talking about hydrogen; and maybe someday we won’t be talking fuel-cell technology without mentioning E. coli. The use of E. coli goes beyond the association with food poisoning. In the late nineties studies of the genome sequence of E. coli identified over 4,000 genes. It was touted as “one of the most studied cells in all of science,” importantly so since the process of studying E. coli is the first stepping stone to tackling the human genome which is 25 times greater than E. coli.
So, where would one start? Professor Wood had to look at E. coli, a bacteria containing somewhere in the range of 5,000 genes today, a bit more than ten years ago, and make power? By deleting six genes in its DNA, E. coli was changed enough to produce hydrogen. The six genes that were eliminated weaken the E. coli bacteria enough to make it able to use more sugar as its power source through its own glucose-conversion process. Read the rest of this entry »
Even before the Inaugural Networking Forum of the National Algae Association kicks off in Texas on April 10th, algae is being recognized for its potential as the next biofuel.
Research on the benefits of algae began in the late 1980’s. It is versatile and can grow anywhere, and fast. It grows up to 40 times faster than most other plants. Its adaptability allows it to grow in locales other than farmlands and forests. It has an abundant presence on this planet from ponds, marshes, lakes and rivers to terrestrial plants and even snow. Wherever it grows it serves double-duty eating up air pollutants while producing oil. Read the rest of this entry »
As carmakers look to the future and rethink diesel a Kelley Blue Book marketing study suggests they might need to think again even in the advent of the 2008 car showings.
The study shows that about 6% of Americans think diesel cars could be in our future as opposed to the 40% supporting the growth of the hybrid. The minority may visit the 2008 car shows in support of the new diesel offerings from Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and VW. It is hard to say however, if their support will carry carmakers into the future even though the registration of diesel passenger vehicles was up 80% from 2000 to 2005 according to information compiled by Polk.
Along with the favorable Polk data, another report from May 2007 compiled by UBS Limited, Is Diesel Set to Boom in the U.S.?, indicates that diesel will surpass hybrids in the next five years in sales. Can it? Diesel brings back memories of dirt and noise, ooooh that smell. Is the diesel of the future any different? Read the rest of this entry »
With time now on their side, Tesla will be able to begin production of its all-electric Roadster this March. After facing fears of going out of business due to operating losses amounting to $43 million between 2002 and 2006 it seems Tesla will be able to start delivering their electric sports car early this year after the decision was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to waive current airbag requirements. The NHTSA is hoping to encourage “development of fuel-efficient and alternative-fueled vehicles” through its offering of the exemption.
In doing so they’ve made some US buyers very happy. Tesla Motors has pre-sold all Roadsters scheduled for production in 2008, a total of 625 vehicles world wide. The fully electric Tesla Roadster produced in the Hethel, England Lotus factory is priced at $98,000. You can only read reviews and dream about your next new vehicle for so long before you expect your dream to become reality. It is anticipated that those owners awaiting the release of their car in the US now have something to look forward to and will be dually rewarded for investing in a car of the future. Read the rest of this entry »
