Biofuels boom raises tough questions, Drunk on Ethanol

[hb06]

"NEW YORK - America is drunk on ethanol. Farmers in the Midwest are sending billions of bushels of corn to refineries that turn it into billions of gallons of fuel. Automakers in Detroit have already built millions of cars, trucks and SUVs that can run on it, and are committed to making millions more. In Washington, politicians have approved generous subsidies for companies that make ethanol."

"And just this week, President Bush arranged with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for their countries to share ethanol production technology."

"Even alternative fuel aficionados are surprised at the nation's sudden enthusiasm for grain alcohol."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070311/.../ethanol_q_a_9

[tripp]

Where do they get gasoline's 0.94 energy balance? It's more like 0.8. Otherwise it seems like a reasonable assessment.

[Bill Merchant]

Follow the money.

The problem is, ethanol really isn't ready for prime time. The only economical way to make ethanol right now is with corn, which means the burgeoning industry is literally eating America's lunch, not to mention its breakfast and dinner. And though ethanol from corn may have some minor benefits with regard to energy independence, most analysts conclude its environmental benefits are questionable at best.[/b]

In Washington, politicians have approved generous subsidies for companies that make ethanol.[/b]

Archer Daniels Midland, a major contributor to Republican election coffers, is the largest grower of corn and producer of ethanol in the US. If the Presidunce was serious about ethanol, he'd work on congress to eliminate the tariffs on importing ethanol from Brazil. Or work for funding research on producing Butanol, an actual substitute for gasoline.

[Frank Hudon]

Bill said it all: follow the money.