Alternative to Fossil Fuels
Alternatives to Destruction Gas prices got you down? They should. However, the rise in petroleum prices is the least of my worries. Our nation 's supply of fossil fuels is running out and we 're doing more damage to our environment than humanly reversible. Now it 's time for the good news, there are alternatives and loads of them. Legislation from federal and state governments along with biofuels are constantly being introduced and researched to the betterment of the environment. These alternatives are hoping to make the world we live in a healthy and safe environment for generations to come. According to the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy two crisis are arising from the use of fossil fuels; we are rapidly depleting our sources with no way to replace them, and through that rapid use we are producing toxic by-products into our environment (Das 1). Something must be done. Fortunately the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, works diligently with the legislative branch of our government to enact laws that protect our environment and petition congress for money to fund alternative fuel research ("Renewable Fuels"). Currently the EPA is fighting to regulate the benzene levels in gasoline by calling for legislation that pushes the levels of benzene lower than they have even been before ("Renewable Fuels"). Benzene has been found to be one of the leading reasons why the burn off of gasoline is so toxic to our environment. However, the money is never enough and once enacted, even less money is spent to enforce these laws. The states often find themselves with the burden of drafting new laws that fit their budget or by enforcing cutbacks to find the money to enforce these laws themselves, making funding an issue. Focusing on Georgia, I am proud to say that according to the US Department of Energy webpage, Georgia has in place an Alternative Fuels Use and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirement ' which stipulates that all state
Cited: LexisNexis Academic. Odum Library, Valdosta. 04 Mar. 2007. "Alternative Uses for Ethanol." The American Coalition for Ethanol. 04 Mar. 2007 . as Alternative Fuels." The International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 25 (2000): 783-793. Academic Search Premier "How is Ethanol Made?" The American Coalition for Ethanol. 04 Mar. 2007 . "Renewable Fuels Programs." Congressional Quarterly, Congressional Testimony 06 Sept. 2006: 1-3 "Using Ethanol." The American Coalition for Ethanol. 04 Mar. 2007 . "What is Fuel Ethanol?" The American Coalition for Ethanol. 04 Mar. 2007 .