Ford Begins Production of the 2012 Focus Electric in Michigan Assembly Plant

Image: This is a picture of the all electric 2012 Ford Focus Electric.
Article Link: http://www.treehugger.com/cars/ford-begins-production-2012-focus-electric.html

Summary: Ford has begun to sell its brand new all electric car, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. At first, it will only be sold in California, New York, and New Jersey. Once production goes up, it will be sold in most states of the USA. It can drive 100 miles on a single charge; charging the car would last about 3 to 4 hours. The car can travel at a speed of up to 84 mph, and has 123 horse power.

Opinion: I think that this is a great invention. I think that it is a pretty decent car, especially considering it is 100% electric. Since this car uses electricity instead of gas, it's way better for the environment than a gas powered car, not to mention less expensive. If I could drive and had the the money, I would get this car.

Questions:
1. How much money would you save from paying for electricity instead of gasoline?
2. How much better for the environment is using electricity as a fuel source instead of gas?
3. Are there any other automobile companies producing or building completely electric cars? If so, how many?

Gas-Fracking Chemicals Detected in Wyoming Aquifer, EPA says

Image Description: This picture shows how tap water can become flammable due to fracking.

Link to the article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-08/gas-fracking-chemicals-detected-in-wyoming-aquifer-epa-says.html

Article written by Jim Efstathiou Jr.


Summary: The EPA, or the Environmental Protection Agency, found chemicals used in the process of "fracking" in aquifers in the state of Wyoming. "Fracking" is when millions of gallons of chemically treated water and sand are forced underground to break rock and let trapped vapor flow. About one-third of United States' gas is from fracking.

After receiving complaints from the residents of Pavillion, the city in which these chemicals were found, the EPA began investigating and found that the levels of the chemicals in the deep wells violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. Amy Mall, senior policy analyst for the group in Washington, stated in an interview, "EPA experts and scientists have recognized that there is real contamination, that there is a real scientific basis for linking it to fracking" and that better laws and regulations were needed.

Opinion/Reflection: From one of our homework assignments, I learned that fracking was another process of extracting natural gas. I also learned that it was a very controversial issue. Now that I have read this article, I understand the basic dilemmas of fracking: the United States rely very heavily on fracking as a source for gas, but unfortunately, fracking can have negative impacts on our environment. As shown in the article, it can harm our aquifers, which in turn can contaminate our drinking water. Even after I have read this, I am still unsure if I am for or against fracking. But one thing I do know is that I agree with Amy Mall. We need more rules and regulations for fracking. Otherwise, another city's aquifers can be ruined like the one in Pavillion.

Questions:
1) What will happen to the residents of Pavillion, Wyoming? Will they have to continue using alternate sources of water?
2) What kinds of harmful effects can this contaminated water have if people drink them?
3) Does fracking have any other harmful effects on the environment, other than contaminating aquifers?

Exxon Mobil says fossil fuels to dominate for decades

 http://rankingamerica.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/chart-of-coal-consumptionxlsx.jpg
Picture: The picture shows how much coal America is using compared to the rest of the world.

Article: http://www.chron.com/business/article/Exxon-Mobil-says-fossil-fuels-to-dominate-for-2390818.php
Summary: In short, the heads of the gas company Exxon Mobile said that the use of fossil fuels will be around in the foreseeable future. Right now about 82% of all energy is supplied by coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels. By the year 2040 they expect that percentage to drop a little bit to 78%. They also believe that a rise in hybrid vehicles will be seen by the year 2040. They're guessing that around 40% of all vehicles will be hybrids by that date.

Opinion: I think that it is very typical for the big wigs at a company like Exxon Mobile would be saying that fossil fuels are swell and dandy. They making literally billions of dollars off of them so obviously they would say that they're going to be around in the future. What they didn't say is how bad they are for the environment. I'm sure that if they said that in their statements the hybrid vehicle percentage by the year 2040 would be a lot higher than 40%.

Questions:
1. When are we going to completely run out of fossil fuels?
2. When we run out of fossil fuels, what effect is that going to have on the economy?
3. Is it possible to make a vehicle that uses no fossil fuels?