ALTERNATIVE FUELS:WHAT, WHY, AND HOW

Pamela Burns and Mindy Mize

Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition

North Central Texas Council of Governments

Petroleum

Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources Where does oil come from?

Current U.S. Petroleum Consumption We use about 275 billion gallons of oil

each year. That’s enough to fill 964 AT&T stadiums a

year!

U.S. Petroleum Use by Sector

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/mt_liquidfuels.cfm

U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

Canada (25%) Saudi Arabia

(12%) Mexico (9%) Venezuela (10%) Nigeria (11%)

Pollution

Air Water Climate Change

One Solution: Alternative Fuels!

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is: A fuel made from biotic oil

sources Used in diesel engines Biodiesel is not raw

vegetable oil!

Biodiesel Feedstocks

1. Soybeans and other seeds

2. Algae3. Vegetable oil4. Animal fat5. Other oil used

for deep-frying

Biodiesel Pros & Cons

Made from renewable resources

Less air pollution Non-toxic Made in USA

Fuel filter may clog after first time use

May gel in cold weather

Pros Cons

Glacier National Park, Montana

What is Ethanol?

Alcohol-based fuel Used in gasoline

engines Made by fermenting

and distilling crops that have been broken down into simple sugars

Two most common blends: E10 and E85

What is ethanol made from?

Corn Sugar Cane Switchgrass

Ethanol (E10 & E85) Pros & Cons

Made from renewable sources

Less pollution Made in USA

Fewer miles per gallon in a car or truck

Not many E85 gas stations yet

Can be expensive to make

Pros Cons

Natural Gas

A gas found in underground rock formations

Renewable options Produced in USA Reduces CO2 emissions

by 25%

Propane

Byproduct of natural gas and oil refining

Nontoxic Produced in USA Reduces

greenhouse gas emissions by 18%

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Plug-in vs. Hybrid Electricity Generation Easy Refueling Produced in USA Zero Tailpipe Emissions

Wrap-Up…

Petroleum o Nonrenewableo Only half of what we

need produced in USAo More pollution

Alternative fuels o Renewable or

nonrenewableo Made in USAo Cleaner burning =

less pollution!

QUESTIONS???

Learn more at www.dfwcleancities.org