Len Frank and Dan McCosh

In the following viewpoint, Len Frank and Dan McCosh report on U.S. Department of Energy studies of alternatives to gasoline. Frank and McCosh contend that problems with such fuels as ethanol, methanol, and electric power involve major cost increases for vehicles and their fuel delivery systems. The authors argue that comparisons of exhaust emissions, engine performance, and infrastructure costs of alternative fuels and reformulated gasoline support the latter as the most viable fuel. Frank is a freelance writer and McCosh is the senior editor of Popular Science magazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How is California addressing vehicle emissions, according to Frank and McCosh"
2. According to the authors, which alternative fuels are the most attractive? Why?
3. What effect would alternative fuels have on smog, in the...