FuelMonger

Energy news is picking up. With all that’s going on, I wanted a forum to talk about the latest trends in one key editorial. This is that editorial summarizing the top issues of fourth quarter fiscal year 2008.

1. Economics, economics, economics. When the hurricane hit Houston, most Americans figured the price of gas would go up. And it did, but only a few pennies near the gulf. Now it’s simmering down along with the rest of the global stock markets. Do you remember when a barrel was just $8? That was only twenty years ago. Commodities have a habit of being a little volatile, but almost $150 a barrel was ridiculous. Whether you blame questionable accounting, warmongers in the Middle East, or money-grubbing CEOs, it’s without a doubt we watch (and bid) on crude. Does anyone really see an end to paying this much for a tank?

Which leads to our next trend…a method to prevent those gas prices from affecting the state of our emotions…

2. Advancement in technologies and marketing in electric and hydrogen vehicles escalated. We’ve fully been aware of the upcoming Chevy Volt. But another hurting American company, Chrysler, has finally introduced its plans to integrate three, count them three, electric models into the American market beginning with the first in 2010. Electric seems to be the choice of Americans with vehicle-foresight. Hybrids was a way of the past…a passing phase to assist in the transition of emission-less transportation. And now we see the second and third order effects of ethanol, so hybrid comes to mean an electric/gas vehicle instead of an ethanol/gas vehicle.

3. I nominate remote drilling as our third major trend this quarter. With the announcement of the Republican Vice Presidential candidate and her ties and support to extensive Alaskan drilling, the choice is clear. It compares nicely with the oil ties of our current war. But how far back does this idea of energy independence go? My best guess is the 1920s (reference the Teapot Dome scandals). Why would we even ponder the idea of scraping the bottom of the oil barrel in remote, hard-to-reach places if foreign oil dependence was never a fear? (If you have a better guess, leave a comment).

Thankfully these electric cars and visions of Alaskan drilling come simultaneously (at least, well, now). And maybe the bubble was due a burst. As we wait to see the end result (ie a blissful emission-free chewy center), we look for interim solutions with a seemingly trial and error status quo.

While the large car manufacturers seem to be dragging their feet in bringing electric car technology to the masses, smaller companies, such as Aptera, are working hard to make this technology a feasible reality. The lucky residents of California can now begin reserving the new Aptera, a vehicle so fuel efficient that the first prototype built achieved 230 miles per gallon. After more work to streamline the design, the company is now taking reservations for this vehicle as it gets ready to begin putting them on the market.

The vehicle is an electric, two seat, three wheeled vehicle. It looks like a Jetson’s era car, however it is technically registered as a motorcycle. It is completely closed in, and despite falling into the motorcycle category, it meets or exceeds safety specifications for cars such as airbag-in seatbelt technology and an extremely strong frame. Additionally, to help alleviate the possibility of a rollover the Aptera has two wheels in the front and one in the back, which is different than most three wheeled vehicles.

The makers of the Aptera manufacture two types of engines for it, an electric and a gasoline hybrid. Both will be on the market by 2009. It is currently only offered in California due to the manufacturer’s ability to provide services to the car. As they expand they hope to offer it in more states.

The Aptera is just one example of a small company making huge strides in an effort to make truly fuel efficient vehicles a reality for the general population. At Fuelmonger.com we look forward to tracking the progress of this nifty little vehicle and hope Fuelmonger.com readers out in California will at least give this vehicle a look when thinking about their next car purchase.

For more information on the Aptera, we recommend the following websites:
http://www.aptera.com/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html

*A special thanks to Radman for bringing the fabulous Aptera to our attention. As he put it “That car is so awesome that it makes me feel ashamed about my Mini’s fuel efficiency.”

Several months ago I was on a cross country flight and was attempting to contemplate how much I would have to pay off in carbon offsets just to offset this one trip. I’m not good enough at math to do that without a calculator so I turned my attention to the in-flight magazine in the seat pocket in front of me to help occupy my time on the long flight. It was American Airline’s American Way. Little did I know that even though I was committing what many consider to be a very un-green act by flying in an airplane (a huge source of air pollution) I could enhance my knowledge of environmental issues. The American Way magazine featured Ellen Pompeo on the cover and was dubbed ‘The Green Issue.’ Inside was a myriad of articles each featuring a green issue. The article on Pompeo even featured her top two tips on living green.

Several months later I was again on an American Airlines flight and picked up the latest issues of American Way. I was shocked yet again to see the magazine featuring green ideas and articles. The magazine featured Julia Louis-Dreyfus with the byline “Why She Just Can’t Yada Yada Yada Over the Fate of our Planet.” The article inside took an in-depth look at Ms. Louis-Dreyfus’ efforts to promote sustainable living. It was informative and very centered on taking a look at environmental issues.

As Americans become more environmentally conscience, many green advocates turn their focus on decrying the airline industry and all the pollution that comes with it. The bottom line is that we are not going to give up our right to hop on an airplane and fly to a new destination any time soon. The airlines can’t change the way they do business and the fuel that their planes run on overnight. However, they can and are making gradual steps to improve their environmental impact such as building more fuel efficient planes and experimenting with different types of alternative fuels. So while we wait for the airline industry to find ways to truly be sustainable, we can appreciate the efforts they are making, sit back on our flight with the inflight magazines, and learn a little something that we can do to make our own lives more sustainable.

Perhaps you live in an older house. Or your electric bill was way too much this winter? Here are a few things to consider when remodeling or improving your home.

1. Insulate your windows.
Heat and air conditioning escape through areas of your home with the least insulation. As long as you’re keeping your doors and windows shut, it’s probably escaping through the windows. Consider replacing older windows with newer energy-efficient models. Some are gas-filled and have multiple panes. If you’re not in the market for such a major and somewhat pricey overhaul, consider window insulation kits. These are cost-efficient and work great.

2. Replace old appliances.
If you’re appliances resemble those from the Brady Bunch kitchen, replace them with newer energy-efficient models. Technologies have improved significantly in the last ten years. So look into replacing that old refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, microwave, oven, and water heater.

3. And speaking of water heaters…
Newer water heater models don’t store large quantities of hot water for instant showers. Newer models instantly heat non-heated water for those showers or dishwashers. These models are smaller and conserve significant energy. You can also purchase a water heater insulator for those portions of the heater that lose the most energy. These can be found at your local hardware store for $20 or less.

4. Floors.
Thinking of changing your floors? Consider materials that are natural and easy to produce. For example, bamboo grows quickly, is natural, and is affordable.

5. Landscaping.
When you’re looking at choosing the right landscape for your yard, consider maintenance, erosion, chemicals, and the amount of water required for certain plants. Use native plants that can flourish in your soil without excess water. And consider run-off that may drain into sewer systems or local creeks and rivers. Maintain your yard without harmful chemicals that go back into your drinking water.

There’s been a lot of talk in the last year on the CAFÉ Standards. But where are they at now? What are they? FuelMonger takes a look at these thirty year old regulations and how they’ve changed to meet today’s oil crisis.

1. What does CAFÉ stand for?
Corporate Average Fuel Economy

2. What does the CAFÉ standard do?
CAFÉ standards define the fuel consumption of passenger vehicles and light trucks (which includes SUVs under 8500 lbs).

3. When did the CAFÉ standards originate?
CAFÉ standards began in 1975 during one of the first oil crises immediately following the Arab Oil Embargo in 1974.

4. What do the current standards require?
Currently, passenger vehicles must get 27.5 mpg. Light trucks (to include SUVs under 8500 lbs) must get 22 mpg.

5. What are the standards for trucks and SUVs over 8500 lbs?
That’s a trick question. Because trucks are used in agriculture and construction, limits are not defined. The intent was not to allow gas-guzzling trucks and large SUVs on the highways without moderation. It’s to allow farmers and construction crews to not be restricted on the appropriate tools they need.

6. Why are the CAFÉ Standards in the news now?
Between now and 2011, the CAFÉ standards are transitioning to a less one-size-fits-all regulation. The categories divide from two into six and numbers are based on technology and feasibility.

7. Why are the CAFÉ Standards controversial?
Clearly the intent of the CAFÉ Standards is to reduce oil dependency. But there are some big voices that have beef with these regulations, most notably, Rush Limbaugh. Conservatives argue that these standards are extraneous and inhibit companies from making technological advances in the auto industry. Additionally, when engineers are required to focus on fuel economy, safety may take the hit and be neglected. Last, CAFÉ Standards put emphasis on vehicles that use gas. Perhaps if the auto industry didn’t have to focus on these, it could focus on building the idealistic carbon-neutral vehicle.

Technology Review, a fantastic resource from the smart kids at MIT, has several features on nanotechnology on its front page and an entire section devoted to it. So I decided to investigate this tiny technology I know nothing about. I wrote down a couple basic questions and did the research to answer them (in terms some of us state-college types can understand;). Hopefully you find this interesting and helpful.

What is nanoscience?

Nanoscience is the study and development of materials 100,000 times smaller than a strand of hair.

What are the potential benefits of it?

Researchers at McMaster University have developed nanowire made from materials that absorb sunlight. The material is cheaper than the current materials made to make photovoltaic solar panels. This could lead to more affordable and absorbent photovoltaic panels.

Silicon nanowires can potentially and substantially enhance charge storage in lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have been a long-time choice for electric vehicles. Unfortunately, lithium batteries that hold a decent charge cost big bucks.

Big oil is investing big money in nanosensors to assist in detection and recovery of oil underground. The technology will help identify and map out locations of the oil in a 3D map. Currently only 40% of underground oil can be recovered for use.

Additionally, nanotechnologies include potential advancement in circuitry, medicine, and material science.

Universities currently take the lead in this new science. In addition to MIT’s great resource, Science Daily also has some great info!

As a renter, it may seem that all the talk about living green is directed at people who own their homes. Installing solar panels, gray water recycling systems, and energy efficient appliances all sound like great ideas, although they are not economically feasible to do in an apartment or home that you are renting. Therefore, here at fuelmonger.com we have compiled a list of the top ten no-cost and low-cost things that you can do as a renter to lessen your impact on the environment.

No-Cost:

1. Recycle. This is one of the best things that you can do for the environment. It is also free and doesn’t involve you altering your living space in any way. If you live in a small apartment, it may be difficult to find space for an extra bin for the recycling, but get creative in how you recycle. You could try bringing in your recyclables each day to the recycle bins at work so that they don’t collect in your home and take up space.

2. Turn the lights off. Keep lights and appliances off when you are not using them. This is yet another simple thing that you can do that involves no monetary investment and will actually save you money. If you really want to save electricity, try unplugging appliances and chargers that are not in use to save on vampire energy.

3. Watch your thermostat. One of the biggest energy expenses for any household, whether it be an apartment or a house, is heating and cooling costs. During the winter, set your thermostat one degree lower than you normally would and during the summer, set it one degree higher. This is another option that involves no monetary input but can save you tons of money throughout the year. If you live in an apartment where the temperature is controlled by the owner, try talking to him/her to see if they can adjust the temperature.

4. Use the ceiling fans. In the summer time you can set your A/C to an even higher temperature if you diligently use your ceiling fans. They don’t actually cool the air any further but they do keep the air circulating so that it feels cooler to you. Just remember to turn the fans off when you leave. In the winter you can switch the direction that the fan turns by pushing a little black button on the base of the fan. By having the fan turn the opposite way, it will pull the cooler air up and push the warmer air down, thus helping it feel warmer to you and allowing you to keep your thermostat set at a lower temperature.

5. Open up the windows. Many of us get so used to adjusting the thermostat every time we are too hot or too cold, we forget about using natural ways to regulate the temperatures in our homes. Spring and fall are great times to open up the windows and let the breezes cool your home. Making good use out of the wind can cut down on the amount of days per year that you have to use your energy gobbling air conditioner. Don’t forget about the shades either. In the summer time keep them drawn to keep out the hot summer sun and cut down on how hard your air conditioner has to work. In the winter time, open up your blinds during the day to let the sun help your heater warm your home.

Low-Cost:

1. Use CFLs. As your light bulbs go out, replace them with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). You will save money on your electricity bill. However, CFLs do cost several more dollars per bulb than a regular incandescent light bulb and it can take a year or more to see your money back in energy savings. So if money is an issue for you, just take them with you when you go, replacing the CFLs with regular bulbs for the new tenants. You can then re-install the CFLs in your new place. If you can afford to leave them, go ahead and do so. Even if the next tenant isn’t earth friendly, they will still be inadvertently saving electricity by using the CFLs that you left for them.

2. Install a water heater blanket. These cost 20-30 dollars and take only minutes to install, but save you tons of money on your water heating costs. This is something else that you can take with you when you go and reuse in your next house or you can leave it for the next tenants and pass on your eco-friendly attitude.

3. Use environmentally friendly cleaners. You have heard about these several times on fuelmonger.com and we are going to recommend them again. You don’t need to be a home owner to use these. Most regular cleaners are filled with harsh chemicals that are harmful to you and your family as well as to the environment. Seventh Generation and Method are two earth friendly brands that we really like.

4. Store food in reusable storage containers. By keeping your food in reusable containers instead of plastic bags that you throw away after one use you will save plenty of plastic from ending up in landfills. You will have to spend a little extra at the beginning to buy enough containers to meet your family’s needs, but you will be helping out the environment and you can easily pack these containers up and take them with you each time you move.

5. Use a water filter. Install a water filter on your tap instead of buying bottled water. You can find these for around 30 dollars and they are very easy to install. You will quickly recoup this money in bottled water savings and you know you are getting clean water. Additionally, water filters are easy to remove so you can take them with you to your next home.

As you can see there are plenty of cheap things that a renter can do to live a greener lifestyle. If you have been putting off taking steps to help save the earth because you are a renter, we have just given you ten great things that you can easily do. So no more excuses. Get off the couch, turn off all those unused lights, and get busy making your rented home eco-friendly.

Most biodiesel retailers nationwide seem to be in the Midwest. However in 2006, the most recent year that data was available, Austin, TX was named the number one city in the nation for B20 retail availability.

B20 is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel and is the most common blend of biodiesel, although many different blends are available. Austin is pushing to become the clean energy capital of the world and making alternative fuels, such as B20, widely available is certainly a step in the right direction.

The Department of Energy states that biodiesel is the fastest growing alternative fuel as well as the fuel that contains the highest energy balance. For every unit of energy used to make biodiesel, 3.2 units are gained. While Austin has the best B20 availability, other regions of the country are working hard to up their biodiesel availability. Several cities in California, Oregon, and Washington all have high concentrations of biodiesel availability, while the Midwest has the most biodiesel retailers spread throughout their states and not just concentrated in a few select cities. Additionally, some states are working to have at least a small amount of biodiesel mixed in with all regular diesel sold. In 2005 Minnesota became the first state to make a 2 percent mix of biodiesel with regular diesel mandatory. Louisiana and Washington have legislation in place that also requires all regular diesel sold in the state to contain at least 2 percent biodiesel as soon as sufficient production capacities are built in state.

Places such as Austin and Minnesota are to be commended for leading the way in the alternative fuel movement. While there might be some downsides that accompany the wide spread use of biofuels, the fact of the matter is that as a nation we need to move away from our dependence on foreign oil. Biofuels might not be perfect, but they are a step in the right direction. And it would behoove the rest of the nation to not only applaud places like Austin but to start stepping in Austin’s direction.

Austin Pumps
Press Release - Mandate

Researchers at UCLA discovered that E coli, once modified, can be used to produce butanol. Usually fermented by Clostridium acetobutylicum, butanol is a substance made from the same substances that produce ethanol (corn, sugarcane, etc). But butanol provides more energy than ethanol. Researchers estimate that butanol produces about 80% of the level of crude oil-based fuel (as opposed to ethanol’s 65%).

This new method encourages mass production of butanol. E coli grow quickly and is easy to modify. Producers insert two genes not naturally occurring in the bacteria. The E coli accept them whereas the Clostridium may not. This allows the desired manipulation for the fermentation process of the plant base.

In 2006, BP and Dupont announced it would be working together to develop butanol in mass quantity. Its higher energy level and octane levels (therefore its inability to mix with water) make it a good candidate to replace petroleum-based fuel in pipelines. However, since the primary source of butanol is corn, sugar and other crops, butanol holds the same ecological challenges as ethanol.

Gevo, a small biofuel company in Pasadena, purchased exclusive production rights to the E coli processing method for butanol.

http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20073/page1/
http://www.gevo.com/news_e.coli-pr_123107.php

Over the past several decades, America has become more and more obsessed with our celebrities. We watch their every move, we follow their every hook-up, we devour news about their every break-up, and we take our fashion cues from them. While most of us should not be wearing the skinny jeans and stilettos that only size two celebrities can get away with nor can most of us afford the beautiful Beverly Hills mansions that the celebrities live in, there is one celebrity craze that we can all partake in – the green craze. It seems every time we turn around there is another celebrity forgoing an outrageously expensive sports car in favor of a little, moderately priced Toyota Prius. And the Prius is just the tip of the iceberg as far as celebrities and their green lifestyles are concerned. They are raising money for earth friendly charities, turning their mansions into eco-friendly homes, and driving a biodiesel powered bandwagon that the rest of us should quickly jump on.

The Toyota Prius is probably the most glaring example of celebrities going green. These cars can now be seen all over Hollywood. Cameron Diaz was one of the first celebrities to show-off a brand new Prius. Back in 2002, she filmed a public service announcement for Hybrid cars and took her endorsement one step further by purchasing one. Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Anniston are all stars that can be seen driving around in their hybrid cars.

A hit TV show, America’s Next Top Model, spent the past season ‘being green.’ Tyra Banks, star and producer of the show, announced early in the season that the models competing on the show would live as eco-friendly as possible while they were at the top model house. The beautiful L.A. home was filled with eco-friendly features, Ms. Banks requested that the models do their part by taking shorter showers and turning off lights whenever possible, and topping it all off was a biodiesel powered bus in place of the usual gas-guzzling limousine. There are plenty of other shows on the airwaves now, including many on HGTV, which work eco-friendly concepts into their show.

Celebrities have been embracing the green movement in many other ways. Julia Roberts uses many eco-friendly products in her daily life from solar panels on her home to Seventh Generation diapers on her kids. Brad Pitt is working to build environmentally sustainable houses in Katrina ravaged portions of New Orleans. And Willie Nelson produces his own biodiesel and fills up his tour buses with biodeisel whenever he can.

Many people accuse celebrities of ‘going green’ only to be trendy and not because they truly believe in the concept. I say who cares what the celebrities’ motivations are. The fact of the matter is that not only are they lessening their own environmental imprint, but they are in a position to set an example for thousands of people and are using that position to set a great example. Bravo to the many celebrities who have gone green. Let green be the new black for years to come.