CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : CALIFORNIA : Panel Pushes Alternative Fuels

Californians must significantly increase use of methanol and other alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel if they ever are to meet air quality standards, a state panel has advised the Legislature. In its report, the California Advisory Board on Air Quality and Fuels said one-third of reductions in smog-forming nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons planned for Southern California over the next two decades depend on wide use of alternative fuels. Methanol, an alcohol derived from wood or made synthetically, shows more promise of mass production than other fuel alternatives such as compressed natural gas, electricity, liquid propane and ethanol.