| We are rudely reminded of rising oil prices upon each | | | | the phenomenon does exist. |
| visit to the pump. Americans are spending an ever | | | | Browns goes by several other names. It has been |
| increasing portion of their incomes on gasoline. This is | | | | referred to as Rhodes Gas, Greengas, or Hydroxy. |
| having destructive impact upon the overall economy | | | | Whatever you call it, the final product requires |
| reverberating throughout every corner of the | | | | substantial amounts of energy to support the |
| country. Our addiction to imported oil has been | | | | electrolysis needed for production. Many argue that |
| ongoing for almost a century. Is there an alternative? | | | | this route would simply shift demand for |
| Many think browns gas is the answer. | | | | transportation energy to already overstrained power |
| The advent of browns gas has its origins in an | | | | grids. |
| electrolyzer invented by Yull Brown. Many, however, | | | | However, the requirements necessary to further build |
| point to the innovation represented by William | | | | out traditional power supply are within America's |
| Rhode's initial electrolyzer design in 1966. These | | | | grasp domestically. We have abundant coal which is |
| machines were the genesis of a process of | | | | currently the main commodity supporting our power |
| electrolysis which turns water into a combustible | | | | grid. Granted, there are adverse environmental |
| substance. The applications of such a product are | | | | impacts from the burning of coal as well. However, |
| obviously widespread. | | | | clean coal technology is advancing everyday. |
| The negative impacts of imported oil are manifold. In | | | | Another alternative is nuclear. France now supports |
| terms of geopolitics, our addiction to oil has led to | | | | virtually its entire power grid from the use of nuclear |
| conflict and substantial associated expense. This | | | | energy. Nuclear power plants do not emit any |
| expense has not only been financial, but also one paid | | | | greenhouse gases. Supplies of uranium are sufficient |
| in blood. The prospect of being able to replace our | | | | to support nuclear power for a long time. However, |
| imported oil needs with water has not only benefits | | | | its drawback is storage of nuclear waste which |
| to drivers but would go a ways towards facilitating | | | | needs to be addressed before further build out of |
| world peace. | | | | infrastructure. |
| Another well known externality of our oil | | | | There are many intriguing possibilities from browns |
| consumption are its resultant impacts upon the | | | | gas. Given the right path to provide the electricity |
| environment. The carbons emitted from gasoline use | | | | needed for its production, it can work miracles for |
| are contributing to the world's rising temperatures. | | | | both our economy and our standing in the world. |
| Although there remains debate in the scientific | | | | Science must further pursue its refinement and fully |
| community to what extent global warming is | | | | explore avenues for widespread adoption. |
| occurring, the consensus overwhelmingly is now that | | | | |