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Push grows for ethanol as alternative vehicle fuel
High gasoline prices and concern about dependence on foreign oil are creating a louder buzz about a gasoline substitute made from corn and other grains. It’s called ethanol (pronounced eh-THAA-noll) and is available as a blended fuel at some gas stations now. The clean-burning, high-octane fuel is sold in two forms -- E10 (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline) and E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gas). Any U.S. vehicle can use E10, while flexible-fuel models can run on E85 or regular fuel. U.S. automakers have made 6 million flex-fuel vehicles and will build more. E85 generally costs less than regular unleaded gasoline. Count on hearing and seeing more about this type of fuel. Congress passed requirements that refiners nearly double ethanol production during the next six years. The country’s 97 ethanol refineries will increase to more than 130 because of construction under way now. “The ethanol industry is on the move,” says President Bush, “and America is better off for it.”
Front Page Talking Points is written by
Felix Grabowski and Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2013
We welcome comments or suggestions for future topics: Click here to Comment Front Page Talking Points Archive►Federal safety board urges tougher drinking-and-driving cutoff limit to match other nations ►Northeast braces for noisy invasion: Flying cicada bugs return after hiding for 17 years ►U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, remains a tricky problem for President Obama ►Doctors warn about serious health risks from 'The Cinnamon Challenge' video craze ►Earth Day on April 22 focuses attention on how we can protect the natural environment ►Thousands of past players take on the National Football League over brain injuries ►North Korean missile threats create concern and U.S. show of military force ►South Africa reflects on the huge legacy of Nelson Mandela, hospitalized at 94 ►They come from space: NASA seeks money to spot and deflect risks from large asteroids ►This 'March Madness' basketball tournament season is special – the 75th in history |
Gasoline prices and saving money on road trips are hot topics in newspapers, especially this season. Assign students to find recent coverage focusing on fuel prices or strategies to lower driving costs.
Newspapers are full of summer fun tips, including destinations that don’t involve long drives now that gas costs nearly $3 a gallon or more. Challenge students to scout features sections for information about home-state travel, entertainment, dining, museums, parks, athletic events and other attractions within two hours of where they live. Create teams that plan weekend activities or a getaway trip based on articles and listings they find –- also without driving far from their home region. 
Fuel expenses become really important to students when they drive and pay for gas, as some teens do now. Invite new-generation drivers or future motorists to join the public policy discussion about alternative fuels and vehicles by sharing their views in a letter to the editor or newspaper forum post. 
Automaker says: “E85 is not the complete solution. But it’s an important start — something we can do right now to reduce our oil consumption.” -- Steven J. Harris, General Motors vice president