It seems that the lack of research pertaining to P-Series fuel and its potential economic and environmental benefits has to do with both the lack of demand in the current market for such a fuel type and also, the premature, co-dependent industry of hydro-fracking. P-Series fuels, although potentially beneficial to both the American economy and the environment, require byproducts from hydrofracking, which although is currently in practice, is not only still in development as an industry, but is also a topic of immense controversy among the public regarding its reciprocal environmental effects. Although our present concern is alternative fuels and not the environmental hazards related to hydrofracking, a brief synopsis of the concern is relevant not only to the discussion of potential p-series fuels but to fossil fuels as well.
Although the benefits of this burgeoning industry to the American economy could be immense, there is a mounting contingent of people opposed to the practice mainly because of the content of the liquid that is pumped into the ground which is mainly water but in an effort to make the most money possible includes a mixture of various toxic chemicals. Empirical evidence of these claims can be cited in the following article which details the accumulation of these chemicals over twenty years :
- http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/natural_gas_drilling/12_23_2009_final_assessment_report.pdf
Indeed concern has also been raised as for long term use and the necessity to switch to renewable resources to begin combating global warming. Furthermore, critics of the method cite the necessity to evaluate the full life cycle of the fuel, that is, over time the amount of methane released by this process could result in an even larger carbon footprint than previously projected. These are some of the many dangers that could and or will result from continued practice of hydrofracking. However, thousands of jobs, and the chance to develop efficient p-series fuels are also at stake which have innumerable benefits, not the least of which is decreasing our dependency on foreign oil. It might be in everybody’s interest to explore technological advancement in the process due to its potential benefits for both the economy and environment if producers could curb the level of toxins used. Where this industry goes should be interesting to follow within the next couple of years, but presently its being met with great opposition and consequently that means that p-series fuels will have to take a back seat as an alternative fuel.
Further research should be directed at the hydrogen fuel cell- hybrid electronic vehicles and the electric car and their impact environmentally as well as economically lets finish up these loose ends so that we can conclude our research on alt fuels
No comments:
Post a Comment