The Fuel Crisis in America

By Chris Newton

Current Price of Gasoline

» Current» National Average:$3.90» State Average: $3.83

» One Year Ago» National Average: $2.50-$3.00» State Average: $2.50-$3.00

What can be done?

» Lowering the cost of petroleum by tapping into US reserves

» Using alternative fuels

» Using man made gasoline

Breakdown of Gas Prices(At the Pump)

» Taxes: 80 cents

» Distribution and Marketing: 40 cents

» Refining: 40 cents

» Crude oil: $2.35

Major increases in Demand

» China’s consuming about 7% more gas each year

» More demand= higher price for everyone

Lower Gas Prices?

» The Gov’t has suggested cutting gas tax

» Demand is continually increasing

» Only way is to find more oil reserves

Or…

» Tap into U.S. Oil Reserves» Currently 701 million barrels ready to be distributed in a moment notice

U.S. Oil Reserves

» This could lower gas prices by about 20% (about 80 cents per gallon)

» According to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, U.S. oil reserves are only for emergency

» So, no hope here either

Alternative Fuels

» With no relief in gasoline and petroleum product prices in sight, alternative fuels remain the World’s best option.

Renewable Energy Sources

» Hybrid cars

» Electric cars

» Ethanol powered cars

» Solar powered cars

The Hybrid» A hybrid vehicle is a

vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources

» Internal Combustion (used to accelerate and cruising over 50mph)

» Electric motor for everything else

Electric Only PowerThe Good

» Quiet

» do not produce noxious fumes

» Impressive acceleration

The Bad

» high battery costs

» limited travel distance between battery recharging

» charging time

» battery lifespan

Solar Power

» Not Pretty… but pretty functional» Solar vehicles are not practical day-to-

day transportation devices at present, but are primarily demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises.

Renewable Gasoline?

Another solution to solve the energy crisis may lie in scientifically engineered gasoline.

Thermal DePolymerization

» TDP is still under research

» Only small scale test have been done

» NO by-products as all gases released are contained and used to power the plant from the beginning

Why aren’t we using it?

» Simply not enough funds for a large scale test

» Very new (i.e. in the last three years)

If it works…

» If TDP works as claimed on a large scale, gasoline would be available, almost indefinitely, for under $1 dollar a gallon.

Conclusion

» Doubtful that gas prices are to go down

» Alternative fuels/cars are good option

» Scientifically engineered fossil fuel (i.e. TDP) seems the best idea

Works Cited» Grabianowski, Ed, and Kevin Bonsor.  "How Gas Prices Work."  05 June 2001. 

HowStuffWorks.com.<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/gas-price.htm> 26 May 2008.

» "Learn about Hybrid Vehicles/Cars." beyondfossilfuel. 2008. 26 May 2008 <http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/hybrid/>.

» "Learn about the History and Future of the Electric Car .“beyondfossilfuel. 2008. 26 May 2008 <http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/electric/>.

» Jim, Trounson. "Energy Crisis Solutio ." Thermal Depolymerization. 31 Mar. 2004. 26 May 2008 <http://www.thermaldepolymerization.org/>.

» http://winfotech.com/images/article24995.gif

Works Cited (cont.)» "Learn about Hybrid Vehicles/Cars." beyondfossilfuel. 2008. 26 May 2008

<http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/hybrid/>.

» The Associated Press. "Is It Time To Tap U.S. Oil Reserves?" Online posting. 22 May 2008. 26

May 2008 <news:CBS News>.

» www.worldproutassembly.org

» innovech.files.wordpress.com

» gizmodo.com

» www.walkonmypath.com/.../gas-price-breakdown.gif

» www.foxnews.com/images/277560/0_61_oil_drill.jpg

» www.cartalk.com/.../images/altfuel-main.gif