Independence-(f)

“Adviser Soapbox: Energy Independence through Hydrogen”, Kenneth Reid, 06/15/05, [|www.forbes.com/newsletter/2005/06/15/motorola-GM-dow-chemical-cz_kr_0615soapbox_inl.html]

This article deals with hydrogen development. It is written from the investor’s perspective on hydrogen and fuel cells as alternatives to fossil fuels. This article indicates that the military has the largest fleet of vehicles in the nation, and delivering a gallon of gasoline to the battlefield can cost $400 a gallon. GM has entered into a contract with the military to provide hybrid technology for military vehicles. The author states that 2/3 of the energy used in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels. Hydrogen and oxygen, combined with a catalyst such as platinum can produce electricity. The byproducts are water and heat.-M.Garmon

Dooley, Erin E. “Brazilian Biodiesel Blasts Off.” __Environmental Health Perspectives__ 113, 8 (2005): A517. The author highlights Brazil’s investment and potential in the production of biodiesel. Brazil has invested $515 million in biodiesel and is opening new biodiesel production plants. Brazil has a lot of potential in this market and should be watched carefully. (Hector Lara)

Kane, Sally, et al. “Ethanol’s Role: An Economic Assessment.” __Agribusiness__ 5, 5 (1989): 505-522. The article focuses on the needs of the ethanol industry to expand. Examples of this are mix of low grain prices, stable or increasing petroleum prices, and assurance of subsidies for production. The article also assesses ethanol’s competitiveness with other alternative fuels. (Hector Lara)

Kaplan, Marshall. “Energy Restructuring in Brazil.” Journal of Project Finance 3, 2 (1997): 43-63. The article discusses how Brazil is restructuring its energy sector. There are new regulatory frameworks that will alleviate uncertainty and install fair prices. The authors provide some recommendations while developing this new energy framework: focus on equity, increase rural and regional access to power, acknowledge sustainability objectives, respond to the needs of the urban and rural poor, and the need for a blended price. (Hector Lara)

Lave, Lester B. and W. Michael Griffin. “Imported Ethanol, Not Oil.” __Issues in Science__ __and Technology__ 22, 3 (2006): 40-42. The author argues in this article the strategy of focusing on other alternative fuels as a way of attaining security. Specifically the author states that rather than focusing on importing oil, we can do better by importing alternative fuels like ethanol. (Hector Lara)