Editorial: Florida Should Be a Leader in Biofuels
If any state should be leading the way in biofuels development, it’s Florida.
With abundant sunshine, a long growing season, and plentiful waste from agriculture and from a big human population, the possibilities are obvious for refining biological materials, including algae, into clean liquid fuel.
That could reduce Florida’s reliance on imported fuel and cut greenhouse emissions — and produce cheaper gasoline as well.
…What’s needed now is a state energy policy with renewable energy targets and concrete incentives for the development of biofuels and other alternative technology.
…But without a boost from government, we could miss the opportunity to reduce Florida’s energy imports, now estimated at $60 billion annually for transportation and electricity fuel, and keep some of that money here to generate jobs.
…But there is a bigger issue. The costs of fossil fuels in terms of human disease; poisoned air, water and soil; or an altered climate are hard to calculate, but are real and inevitable, and fall ultimately on the taxpayer.
They are a powerful argument in favor of aggressively encouraging clean, safe, renewable alternative energy, including Florida biofuels.
Urge our leaders in Tallahassee to seize the opportunity to make Florida a world leader in biofuels. READ MORE and MORE (Guest Opinion from Biofuelwatch/Energy Justice Network) and MORE (Guest Opinion from Algenol)
