[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Ever see a “lab” where they make biodiesel?

The few documentaries I’ve seen, I was stunned at how much energy/electricity those labs require to put out a tiny amount of biodiesel. And they were not running on biodiesel.

[RU88]

Another picture perfect example of the unintended consequences of governmental good intentions.

[magellan]

Despite $80/barrel oil, biodiesel needs subsidies. Therein lies the problem.

[Yo-Yo]

Meanwhile, synthetic jet fuel from coal is taking off.

[Eye of Unk]

The problem is that what used to be sources for free waste cooking oils and such wizened up to it and are now charging for it.

[spokeshave]

Same thing happened in Spain...big Government subsidies to created solar cell and wind farm industries....everything boomed until the Govt ran out of money (mortgae mess etc) and the projcts were cancelled.

net result...high unemployment and Govt strapped for cash...taxes up...etc...

[Hodar]

U.S. tax dollars had been generously subsidizing biodiesel that was being exported out of the U.S. ...

Just a matter of years ago, Diesel was selling for $5/gallon; and the mental midgets in Washington are exporting the bio-diesel US taxpayers financed? Whatever happened to that quaint old term of 'Treason'? Corruption should carry the death penalty - it's just that simple. Fry up a couple hundred Representatives, hang a couple dozen Senators - and I THINK we'll find that those who survive will learn to read and follow the Constitution that they swore to defend.

I'd like to know what Consitutional authority gives them the right to sell commodities financed by the US taxpayer, to other countries - when the US taxpayer is still paying exhorbinate prices. Now, if desiel prices were below $1/gallon; sure, sell the excess. But, as most retards would know and understand - US first, then after we have fulfilled our needs; we sell our excess on the world market.

[Red Badger]

Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.....

If you want ON or OFF the DIESEL ”KnOcK” LIST just FReepmail me.....

This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days.....

Yo! Thanks to YO-Yo!!............

[calex59]

I’ll tell you how to handle subsidies for any fuel(or any product as far as that goes). You get rid of them. If the product is good enough to make it on its own, then fine, let the company produce it and make a profit, which would lead to job creation. However, having every tax payer in America paying the freight is just BS and points to a failing industry. End subsidies for ANY product, including farm subsidies.

[CPOSharky]

Slightly off topic...I noticed that E-85 is a whole TWO cents cheaper than regular.

Where’s the ‘green’ in that?

[wendy1946]

What if anything is happening with the oil from algae idea? As I read it, that would be vastly more efficient than trying to make oil out of any kind of plant or vegetable.

[painter]

The National Biodiesel Board is located here in Jefferson city Mo.. I personally know one of the engineers who work for them.

[Richard Kimball]

Good article. The nut of the problem is that it takes more energy to produce biodiesel than biodiesel has in it. The only point to biodiesel was the government subsidy.

It's also worth noting that one of the reasons McCain lost Iowa was because he did not support biodiesel and ethanol. Obama did. The alternative fuel industry is one example of why I see our government eventually having to crash and burn. By using deficit spending and other techniques, government promises enough special set asides so that the majority of the people get more out of the system than they put in.

People do not vote for fairness or overall good governance. They vote for what brings money to them.

Having worked in government funded institutions for the last thirty years, I have been bitten many times because I tried to be fiscally responsible running my department. When the budget cuts come, they're across the board, with no consideration of fiscal responsibility. If you don't spend your entire budget allocation for the year you don't get a pat on the back. You get your budget reduced the next year.

I read a good article about the difference between an individual starting a business and government starting a new program. The individual gets the product and machinery he needs and uses sawhorses and plywood for a desk. He rents the cheapest place he can find that meets his needs and starts trying to generate a profit. A governmental entity builds an office building, carpets it, buys all new furniture, hires a company to keep fresh plants in the area, puts artwork on the walls, and then says, "okay, what are we supposed to do in here?"

[neverdem]

Bankers get two ethanol plants in bankruptcy

subsidizing failure

[SunkenCiv]

• The Bum Rap on Biofuels
• Campaign to vilify ethanol revealed

[AdmSmith]

“Splash and Dash” Biofuel Scam Costs Americans Millions, Lawmakers Say (June 2008)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031350/posts