Assignment 7-1

Tyler Teeter
Humn 341
Weekly Written Analysis
March 15, 2008
“School Buses on Biodiesel”
As I was reading this week’s edition of “Buckeye Farm News” I came across an interesting article that in Ohio schools are about to receive grants to convert their fleet of busses to be capable to run on soybeans. Under the Clean Air Act for Kids, a grant program is going to offer to help offset cost to run busses on B20 (20% soy and 80% petroleum diesel). I feel that this is great for all of us, consumers and farmers alike. Because of these increases in alternative fuel uses, I know firsthand that corn and soybean prices have shot way up enabling us farmers to make some money. Also for consumers they can support our local economies and hometown farmers while providing cleaner air for the environment and using less fossil fuels. I hope that in the future we will be able to use more than 20% soybeans, but for now it’s a start like the E-85 gasoline and other types of electric or hydrogen hybrid cars that are on the market or are being developed. You have to put one foot forward and start this revolution to help our local economy, clean the environment and become less dependent on foreign oil. I was at a station last week around Akron Ohio and noticed gas was $3.45 and the station had an E-85 pump that was selling for $2.99. While not cheap it was less expensive than regular gas and helps our local economy and farmers as well as provides cleaner air. Everything great has to start somewhere and it’s nice to see these technologies actually hit the street with more to come hopefully soon.
Reference
Buckeye Farm News, March 13, 2008/Volume 7/Issue 11/Industry News