Welcome to the Fuel Matters Blog

Alternative energy is certainly an interesting concept in many aspects. Often referred to as “Clean Energy,” alternatives can also include solar, wind and water based production. As our current world tries to push for a change on how power is sourced, there has been an effort and an investment to change from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gasses towards alternatives to create sustainable and inexpensive options for energy production.

New big rig player, Nikola Motors, is looking to add their mark in the transportation industry.  Nikola is a startup operation based in Arizona that is “all in” on Hydrogen powered semi-trucks. While the theory of Hydrogen powered transportation has proven to be enticing, the actuality has eluded engineers over the past 50 years.  The largest hold back in the eyes of Nikola Motor, is that the tank sizes necessary for passenger vehicle operation has proven to be bulky and inefficient.   Nikola Motors is thinking around the scenario.  If you can’t condense the storage, increase the vehicle size.

Earlier this week, California senator Nancy Skinner proposed a daring bill that targets air quality and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.  The bill would oblige the California Air Resources Board to, “require a 40 percent reduction in diesel emissions by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050.”  This is not the state’s first proposed bill to cut emissions, but certainly has garnered attention due to the huge impact this would have on the transportation industry in California. 

Governor Wolf is attempting to “clean up” Pennsylvania’s emissions.  His new Executive Order will require 25% of government vehicles to be replaced by electric vehicle by 2025.  The big push for this change is mostly financially motivated, as it is projected to gain the state just under 3 billion dollars in subsidies due to a reduction in vehicular and greenhouse gas emissions.   Major cities such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are doing their best to stay ahead of the curve.  Other benefits include lower greenhouse gas emissions and a speculation that respiratory disease might be reduced.

With the partial government shutdown milling around out there, oil has found a way to stay the course.  Seeing that energy production has become essential for the U.S. Economy, the Bureau of Land Management as issued exemptions for the energy fields.  The Bureau of Land management is the governing body that oversees oil and gas activities on federal land.  The employees working are being paid by way of unspent funds from previous years currently.  Little speculation has been made as to how long those funds will actually last.