By: Dan Rhodes, Education Coordinator, Bradford County Conservation District
    Across the US and Pennsylvania, passenger car and truck options for residents looking to fuel a new mode of personal transportation have never been more diverse. When the average consumer considers the options available today, certainly the price-tag is a big consideration, both in initial purchase price, and long-term potential repair and maintenance costs. Fuel economy is another big consideration when attempting to determine the long-term costs of purchasing and operating a vehicle. With the recent surge in alternative fuel vehicles such as all electric cars, electric/internal-combustion engine hybrids and clean diesel cars, there are also many options marketed as cleaner and better for the environment than the vehicles of the past. However, by examining the true source of where the energy is coming from to power your vehicle of choice, along with an analysis of driving habits and intended uses of the vehicle, consumers can save themselves lots of money, as well as potentially reduce harmful environmental impacts that can influence human health, water quality, and wildlife.
    To compare some of these variables directly between different car models built by the same manufacturer, I’ve included a graph for three different vehicles sold by GM in the model year 2019.

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By: Dan Rhodes, Education Coordinator, Bradford County Conservation District
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     Boiled down to its’ simplest definition, energy is the power to do work. Without energy in its many forms, all the modern technology that moves people, goods and services, thoughts & ideas around the world at breakneck speed would come to a screeching halt. Our power plants scattered all over the country are constantly making electricity by burning fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, or converting nuclear energy, water power, wind power or solar power to electricity.  Without them, every person in the nation expecting that wall switch to produce light, would be disappointed. Without the energy we need to recharge our own bodies when we eat a meal, we would lack the power to walk, talk, think, breathe or even survive!