This week is Earth week and Advanced Biofuels USA is asking and answering the question, “Why Transition to Sustainable Renewable Fuels? The organization has published 10 reasons why the country should transition to renewable fuels in a handy handout for use by civic organizations, church stewardship groups, teachers, environmental groups and any and all who are interested in renewable transportation energy.

“By publishing this easy-to-understand handout, we are furthering this educational nonprofit’s mission to promote understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels,” said Executive Director, Joanne Ivancic.

The idea came from an honors presentation by biology major Agatha Macairan, an intern from Hood College based in Frederick, Maryland, explained Ivancic. Macairan has been working on an article about why we can’t already buy 100 percent sustainable renewable fuels for all our transportation needs and admitted to struggling with the complexities involved in answering the question so we began to look for a way to simplify the issue.

“So, working together, we came up with these 10 excellent reasons based on her work, her discussions with friends and our additional observations. Instead of asking ‘why can’t we?’ we pose the question ‘why should we?'” added Ivancic.

Why Transition to Sustainable Renewable Fuels?

1. Climate Change –Recycle carbon. Don’t release “new” carbon from its underground storage.
2. Energy Security – Peak Oil. We need to prepare for when oil runs out.
3. Health Benefits – Ethanol can replace carcinogenic aromatics, and substantially reduce harmful emissions.
4. More Efficient Engines Require Biofuels – Higher octane, higher ethanol transportation fuels. Engine manufacturers can maximize the efficiency of smaller, more efficient engines that utilize high combustion pressures and take advantage of other useful properties of ethanol. Cleaner, lower maintenance jet engines with renewable jetfuel. Less expensive maintenance for biodiesel hybrid buses.
5. Environmental Benefits – Avoid deep water drilling oil spills, destruction of habitat from tar sands or fracking.
6. National Security – Military do not have to protect feedstock sources or transportation routes of advanced biofuels.
7. Jobs – Advanced biofuel production creates local jobs in agriculture, forestry, waste management, engineering, science and biorefineries. Not to mention the jobs which support these with food, shelter and services.
8. Leadership in Science and Technology– Historically, the basis of economic success. Advanced biofuels is today’s frontier.
9. Keep your money at home! – Do not spend your currency on foreign energy resources.
10. Not Under Someone Else’s Control – Lessen foreign energy providers’ power.