Sorting Through Alternative Engine Fuel Messages Pt. 2
Attention Fleet Managers…ever heard these messaging buzzwords before? “Corporate edict to go green … save green … burn clean … save the company’s dinero … keep the wheels rolling … reliability … accountability … sustainability, etc.”
Thought so.
Wouldn’t it be so nice if there was a silver bullet out there that satisfied all?
Fuel is the key for fleet managers – the key to reliability, the key to performance, and, in some cases, the key to the bottom line. Before I explain to you that we at ROUSH CleanTech believe propane autogas can be your silver bullet, I need to say that those in the alternative fuel market are all in this together. The common ground is energy independence.
Regardless of which fuel you choose to move your fleet around, as a culture, as a country, as a world economic leader, we must make sure quality is never sacrificed. Our economy and national security depend on it.
It is that important. If you feel I’m exaggerating, you should consider this:
(Note: My intent with the next series of facts isn’t to insight panic in the streets; rather, I’d like to reiterate facts made by one of our country’s energy leaders T. Boone Pickens, as part of his “Pickens Plan” in 2008.)
An excerpt from an investment study conducted by the California government, in a publication titled “2010-2011 Investment Plan for the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program,” states,”Transportation fuel is one of the top three energy use sectors in the United States, accounting for two-thirds of the 20 million barrels of petroleum consumed daily. Of that 65 percent is imported from foreign sources.”
Quick math tells us that two-thirds of 20 million is 13.4 million barrels, and 65 percent of 13.4 million is 8.7 million. That’s 8.7 million barrels of petroleum that Americans pay $88 per barrel and heading north. (See reference recent article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-12/china-diesel-squeeze-boosts-refineries-as-100-oil-looms-energy-markets.htmlfor more details.)
Conclusion: Americans send $766 billion overseas to make our cars, trucks, vans and buses “go.”
Concerned yet? Keep reading…
Consider these United States economic and security issues carefully:
- It is estimated that we are spending about $800 billion to $1 trillion per year on the war in the Middle East (Iraq and Afghanistan). If you don’t agree with me, do your own research; pick your own number. The fact is that it is a lot, and, depending on your political views, is a worthwhile investment to defend our freedom.
- So in a struggling U.S. economy, we are sending $766 billion overseas to satisfy our energy needs and spending hundreds of billions more to defend our freedom.
See where we’re heading, yet? Keep reading…
A weakening U.S. economy, coupled with an energy dependence of this magnitude, is a threat that all Americans must take seriously. Some may consider us vulnerable.
Dad always told me, “don’t bring up problems if you aren’t willing to participate in the solution.” Okay, Dad… how’s this:
- Simply allow our country to develop hardware and software vehicle solutions that deploy propane autogas, compressed natural gas, and electricity.
- If we can displace 10 percent of our dependence to start, we are infusing $7.6 billion back into our economy and taking our first step toward energy independence.
Companies like ROUSH CleanTech and patriotic Americans like Jack Roush and T. Boone Pickens are way ahead of most on this. ROUSH CleanTech has completed its research and stretched its development legs. It is currently deploying Ford-based products with propane autogas solutions.
And now, between Picken’s messaging and Roush’s engineering prowess, Americans are aware and the fleets have started the adoption process.
We applaud early adopters like: CentryLink®, FritoLay®, U-Haul®, Time Warner®, Thyssen Krupp®, Super Shuttle®, AT&T®, Comcast®, Direct TV®, Qwest®, Coca-Cola®, Verizon®, Ford Motor Company®, City of Cincinnati, City of San Antonio, DeKalb County, Ga., and many, many others.
It will require all of us to begin thinking on a broader American-benefit scale like these leaders have in order to preserve the freedoms that those before us fought so hard for and that we’d like to pass along to future generations.
Natural gas, electric and propane autogas… come one, come all. We will need each to declare our independence.
As Americans, we need to collectively point ourselves at adding another independence day. We love our Fourth of July 4. America’s energy independence day is just as important. Help us define and celebrate that independence. What day will it be? More important, what year?
I’d like to know what your threshold would be to “declare energy independence” – do we need to cut our overseas spending by 10 percent, 20 percent, 50 percent?
How many opportunities will you have in your life to change the world?
