Within 70 years, if we continue at our current rate of cunsumption, we are due to run out of fossil fuels, and 40% of our energy comes from fossil fuels globally. As of right now growing algal biofuels in waste waters is very techno-economically feasible, it will simultaneously treat wastewater and fertilize algae, produce clean GHG emissions when burnt (water and carbon dioxide only), and give us energy independence from Middle East. Since Algal Wastewater biofuel and biofuel(diesel/ ethanol derived from organic sources) in general, is less efficient than fossil fuels, subsidizing the cost of algal wastewater biofuels at the pump is necessary gain support of the public. Biofuels and fossil fuels are relatively the same price, thus its lower efficiency needs subsidization. By gaining the support of the public we can make this switch now and avoid a shortage of fuel. Let's ask to ADD to the Clean Energy Policy (2005) to create a subsidy of the cost algal wastewater biofuels. I plan to send this petition to our Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry and the Deputy Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette.
Sources:
-Dr. Yiwen Chiu, Professor of Natural Resources at California State Polytechnic University; San Luis Obispo
-Bioresource Technology and Policy: Elsevier- Science Direct Journals (Comprehensive techno-economic analysis of wastewater-based algal biofuel production: A case study & How biofuel policies backfire: Misguided goals, inefficient mechanisms, and political-ecological blind spots)
-U.S. Department of Energy- Alternative Fuels Data Center
-Cornell University: Energy Studies in the College Engineering
