Ethanol

[BIG JOE]

Anyone see 60 Minutes or Dateline last nite.... When they talked about Ethanol ? We COULD be makeing it out of ANYTHING that has Cellulous (sic?)

Columbia has been able to Cut themselves off of World Oil Dependency, makeing it fron Sugar Cane.

MANY Mid-west farmers are growing and selling thier corn... Strictly to the Ethanol plants. Some have invested in their OWN plants.

Piece also said that ANY gas engine could be converted to Ethanol capable for 80 to $100.00 bucks. Talked about the Flex/Fuel cars.....

The part that REALLY caught my attention was when a big supporter of Ethanol production, and use, was at an Energy Conference... He was told, in a VERY Stearn, almost Threatening tone of voice, by a BIG OIL guy: WATCH YOURSELF..... WATCH YOURSELF, VERY, VERY CLOSELY..... IF YOU GO TO FAR.... >WE< will LOWER fuel prices.... and RUN YOU, >AND< THE TECHNOLOGY >RIGHT OUT OF BUSINESS< !!!

Interviewed a BIG OIL guy too.... He was about as nervious as a dog crapp'n a Peach seed..... at some of the questions about Ethanol.

Kinda, Sorta, Maybe sez something about the validity of current Fuel Prices

I hope Ethanol & Bio-Diesel can survive and catch on.... WE NEED to do something about our Dependencey, and being Controled by.... BIG OIL. JMO

JOE

 

[roosterdiesel]

We have plenty of genetically modified corn that other countries won't take for free.

 

[hheynow]

My views on ethanol are mixed. Yes it's good for the corn farmers and lessening our dependance on foreign oil BUT there are down sides to it. It's made by burning coal (bad for the environment). It's not cost effective (the cost to build plants and set up a delivery system nationwide is pricey) and MPGs on it is worse than gasoline. What we need are more nuclear plants to replace burning coal for its production and they can also produce hydrogen for future use in cars. This administration IMO should force the building of new nuclear plants and refineries for gas/diesel.

 

[BIG JOE]

My views on ethanol are mixed. Yes it's good for the corn farmers and lessening our dependance on foreign oil BUT there are down sides to it. It's made by burning coal (bad for the environment). It's not cost effective (the cost to build plants and set up a delivery system nationwide is pricey) and MPGs on it is worse than gasoline. What we need are more nuclear plants to replace burning coal for its production and they can also produce hydrogen for future use in cars. This administration IMO should force the building of new nuclear plants and refineries for gas/diesel.

I hear ya, and agree. I have mixed emotions about it all too. But it's time to look at all these Aternative Energy issues, from an economic survival point of view. Time to Tap some of our OWN energy sources and increase our OWN production.

And, of course... It had a "Media Slant" to it also. Never the less, interesting information.

 

[Roland_Jenkins]

I watched it last night. Did some reading on it too and will do more. Right now it looks like we only have two minor obstacles to overcome. Our own Government and big oil.

 

[02SilverStroke]

I watched it last night. Did some reading on it too and will do more. Right now it looks like we only have two minor obstacles to overcome. Our own Government and big oil.

Hey Roland, haven't heard from you in awhile. I saw it too. It's actually Brazil that has "snipped the cord" on oil. They actually still sell gasoline if you want it. They showed three pumps (gasoline, gasoline/ethanol mix, and ethanol [they call it alcohol]). I do worry that the economy will be less and also worry about any possible damage to engines of older vehicles, but if we can get it for a dollar or less per gallon, I say "bring it on!!!". If the "big oil guy" says watch out, we can lower our prices, well, "bring that on too!!".
Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12676374/.

 

[rgdillon]

I remember in the early 70's out in Indiana - pull up to the pumps and take your pick - gasoline or ethanol - I think everyone at least tried it, but after a few reported engine problems who were just running the ethanol - it's use kinda died down.

They were trying to use Ethanol back then because we were all kind of pissed off that gas was running around 30 to 33 cents a gal.

Ron

 

[BIG JOE]

My BUST... It was Brazil, not Columbia. Columbia don't need no help, they got a corner on ANOTHER market.

 

[Tbar]

Approx population of Brazil around 170 million people most of which are extremely poor.......less than 40% of which have cars. US population is in around 300mil + with approx 72% of the population driving........thats alot of fuel usage. This doesn't even consider the demand of our industrial machine.

So........the news piece was not an exact apples to apples comparison of economies.

Like I said in another thread "Big Oil" is many things. Many countries and many oil companies around the world make up the overall picture here...............not just the "Evil American Big Oil" that our media likes to parade before us.

Could we grow enough crops to supply a large enough portion of our demand......enough to affect world oil prices??? I don't know. Certainly worth some study but personally I will wait for more information before getting too excited.


Tbar

 

[02SilverStroke]

Could we grow enough crops to supply a large enough portion of our demand......enough to affect world oil prices??? I don't know. Certainly worth some study but personally I will wait for more information before getting too excited. Tbar

Point well taken. Yes, comparing Brazil to the US may not be exactly "apples to apples", but it is an example of how one country is able to provide its own energy. I think that's the point they were trying to make in the broadcast. With all the "smart people" in the US, something should be figured out. We need more proof, plus we need to determine the cost of converting our cars and our industries to "flex-fuel status". The government used to pay farmers not to plant all their fields. If they'd give some incentives to plant crops that could be converted to ethanol and pay a decent price, then the farmers would be the ones laughing all the way to the bank. To say this would be a shot in the arm for farmers would be an understatement. Willie might be able to take off on July 4th. It's going to take some time for all this to happen, it's not going to be next year, or the year after, but eventually it could be done. At least give the oil companies a good run and make it competitive.