AP: Biofuels Boom Raises Tough Questions

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ETHANOL_QA

Mar 10, 12:51 PM EST

Biofuels Boom Raises Tough Questions

By MATT CRENSON
AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- 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.

"It's coming on dramatically; more rapidly than anyone had expected," said Nathanael Greene, a senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

You'd think that would be good news, but it actually worries a lot of people.

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.

Proponents acknowledge the drawbacks of corn-based ethanol, but they believe it can help wean America off imported oil the way methadone helps a junkie kick heroin. It may not be ideal, but ethanol could help the country make the necessary and difficult transition to an environmentally and economically sustainable future.

There are many questions about ethanol's place in America's energy future. Some are easily answered; others, not so much.

...

[truthisfreedom]

1. imagine the carbon footprint of ethanol...

It's insane...

[Psephos]

7. It has a lowered carbon footprint because it's renewable

Turning foodstuffs into fuel brings up other issues, including food inflation. But as an alternative to fossil fuel, ethanol looks reasonably good. Growing corn (or whatever) takes CO2 out of the air; burning ethanol puts that CO2 back into the air. Next year's corn crop takes the CO2 back out; next year's trip to gramma's burns the ethanol and puts it back in. An endless cycle. In other words, ethanol as a fuel pays its a good part of its own carbon tax up front because it recycles carbon instead of dredging it up from sequestered burial.

This becomes less true when fossil fuels are part of the corn production cycle, as is currently the case. For example, when diesel fuel runs the farm machinery, or natural-gas-based agrichemicals are applied to the crops, etc. But such technical issues can be minimized with the right combination of incentives and research.

I'd like to see corn used only as food, and agri-waste used as the fuelstock. Way fewer economic distortions, way higher efficiency because that waste stuff's just getting tossed aside now.

Ethanol beats gasifying coal, or converting tar sands, or tapping frozen methane, or whatever other nonrenewable carbon fuels are currently being looked at. Is it perfect? Hardly. But it's worth a good trial.

Edit: added word for grammatical clarity

[Selatius]

8. Corn ethonal has a large carbon footprint.

Go here to read about some ethanol.

http://zfacts.com/p/60.html

Your better bet is cellulose ethanol.

http://zfacts.com/p/85.html

[Psephos]

9. If you read what I wrote, you'll find we're in agreement n/t

[Selatius]

10. Yes, I understood where you were pointing, but cellulose ethanol is better than corn ethanol. n/t

[Psephos]

11. Which is what I was referring to when I mentioned agriwaste as the preferred feedstock. n/t

[applegrove]

2. That is a good point about weaing people of gas. Never thought of it that

way. People have to learn about new technologies before they will adapt them en mass. I hope it works. And that they find something better soon!

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. A gallon of Biodiesel contains 70% more btu than ethanol

... and it takes less ground to grow it.

Ethanol subsidies are a form of corporate welfare.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. What is Biodiesel's Energy Balance?

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=34304

July 12, 2005

What is Biodiesel's Energy Balance?

Independent third-party, peer-reviewed studies show biodiesel has the highest energy balance of ANY fuel. A prominent USDA/DOE study shows for every unit of fossil fuel used to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained in energy output. That's a 320% increase and includes soybean planting, harvesting, fuel production and transportation. For the full report, see the following link to download the report (.PDF).

http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/gen/19980501_gen-339.pdf

The problem is, while most cars can use ethanol relatively easily, Biodiesel can only be used in diesel engines.

[tammywammy]

6. And that, my friend, is why I own a diesel.

:)

Proud Beetle TDI owner.

[Karenina]

5. One word (that rarely comes up)

HEMP

[Selatius]

12. Check out this article: Using a wind turbine to process hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=86793&mesg_id=86793

[GreenZoneLT]

13. Unfortunately, not even wind is totally enviro-friendly

Wind turbines are bird and bat shredders.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2005/050405/windturbin.html

[Selatius]

14. But it gets better at the link.

Somebody else combined solar with hydrogen. Instead of the turbine providing energy to process hydrogen for fuel cells, solar panels were put in its place:

See jpak's reply (post #3) to my post at the link:

The Schatz Solar Hydrogen Project...

http://www.humboldt.edu/~serc/trinidad.html

and on the Norwegian Island of Utsira...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4853004/