Michigan Emergency Highlights Need for Alt Fuels
If we needed a wake-up call that relying on one fuel source is risky, it came from our Governor here in Michigan, Rick Snyder this week. On Tuesday, Snyder declared an energy emergency in response to the shutdown of a Wisconsin fuel pipeline and an unexpected outage at Detroit’s Marathon refinery, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The executive order allows for truckers hauling gasoline to work longer hours, helping to fill Michiganders’ need for gasoline—especially over the upcoming holiday weekend.
Earlier this month, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issued a similar energy emergency in the face of possible gasoline and diesel shortages. The pipeline that runs between Milwaukee and Green Bay has been closed for two months.
This gives us an emergency example of how fragile we are with our nation’s dependence on this source of transportation fuel.
The good news — we have options. Our country has plenty of propane autogas and compressed natural gas readily available to fill our transportation fuel tanks. Plus, propane autogas and compressed natural gas cost less than gasoline and diesel — and reduce emissions, too. If more vehicles were powered by alternative fuels, the kind of situation that Michigan and Wisconsin residents are facing currently would be far less devastating.
Of course, in the end the short-term supply crunch will be resolved, with the exception of operators’ pocket books (after fuel prices soared by around 20 percent throughout the state).
At a minimum, you should check out alternative transportation fuel.
