In these uncertain economic times everyone, including President Obama, is looking for ways to secure not only our immediate future but for our children, grandchildren and beyond. How did we get here? There is more finger pointing at the highest levels than this writer has ever encountered. Be it as it may, we all, with the exception of our children, have played a part in this financial and ecological meltdown. Those of us who remember waiting in line for hours at gas stations across this country due to an oil shortage share in this disaster. With the new administration now in place, America is moving into what is going to be a very aggressive platform for alternate fuels and energy efficiency. The changes that will be made with solar, wind power and alternate fuel is going to greatly influence the amount of greenhouse gases being produced and the amount of renewable energy that can be produced.

The dependence on foreign oil was of major importance. Our congressional leaders promised action to produce alternative fuels, reduce consumption and costs. 30 years later where are we? Still dependent on foreign countries. The governments outside the U.S. control all our personal monies. Each time the cost of a barrel of oil rises and falls, so do costs of all related products. Car makers were to redesign cars, make them more fuel efficient. Alternate energy was the topic for years. The problem has been we as consumers never pushed our Representatives enough to follow through. As a nation, we enjoy our luxury cars and trucks, fuel guzzlers as they may be. Hybrid cars have now entered the marketplace with a cost for battery replacement at about $8000 after 10 years. Electric is certainly a much cleaner way to drive our vehicles but still an expensive alternative.

For the first time in our history, Climate Change and the health of our planet is being taken seriously. The Native Americans had it right from the beginning. They never took anything away from the earth without giving something back in return. Somewhere along the way, the world neglected to follow that simple rule.

One company that I have become familiar with, Global Fuel Technology is following that thought process. GFT is committed to assisting technology companies find carbon based biomass feedstock, used in the production of cellulosic ethanol, necessary to break our dependency on foreign oil. The waste products are processed to create ethanol, a clean burning fuel, with an even more beneficial byproduct—enough electricity produced not only to run the Ethanol Plant itself, but will provide electricity to the grids or sell to industrial concerns at a discounted price. One technology company which GFT is working with has a demonstration plant in full operation. This plant has been used to test all types of carbon based feedstock, and has been operating continuously for over five years. As of March 2009 GFT is in negotiation to build plants not only in the United States, but in Canada and Puerto Rico. An estimated 320 million tons of municipal solid waste, green waste, and sewage sludge is generated in the United States each year. If we can eliminate the organic portion, turning it into bioethanol and recycle the remaining waste, we will virtually eliminate the chance of toxins reaching the aquifers. As we clean up the existing landfills we will reduce the problem even further.

According to Dan Ford, President and Jody Thomas, Vice President of Global Fuel Technology their first commercial plant is schedule to start production in 2010. The plants will be built adjacent to landfills or transfer areas to help reduce the cost of the feedstock. The time from permit stage to completion is estimated to be eighteen months.

Dan and Jody met in New Orleans while participating in clean-up work following Hurricane Katrina. The idea to form GFT as a biomass acquisition company evolved over a period of time. Once introduced to the technology, working with an affiliated company that had a location but not enough feedstock, Dan and Jody made the decision to found their company. GFT has grown at a tremendous pace. Within the first month Dan and Jody were able to Joint Venture with and established company that enabled to work with an industry leader in the cellulosic field. Within 3 months, they secured four biomass feedstock locations.

In addition to working with state and local governments, GFT and their associates monitor the information coming from the new administration concerning the production and distribution of alternate fuels.

By utilizing municipal solid waste, sewage sludge and waste tires, GFT is helping to solve a massive problem that involves not only our own country, but the world. Greenhouse gases affect not one but all. If we want to keep this planet alive then we all have to be on board to save “Mother Earth” for without her, there is no us.

For further information visit the website www.globalfueltechnology.com

Submitted by:

Nancy Bristow, Realtor

Freelance Writer

International Writers and Photographers Alliance