California's ethanol follies

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | July 17, 2007 | Editorial

[JamesP81]

Actually what works best is a non-subsidized free market, where many competing individuals and organizations can advance various technologies, at the same time.

This I agree with. The only other consideration is securing a fuel source for the military, but we have the strategic reserves for that.

[IronJack]

The fact that these engines are flex fuel prevents them from getting the most from ethanol.

Then it strikes me that the problem isn't the ethanol, it's the gasoline. Gasoline is a lousy fuel -- always has been. It was only chosen originally because crude oil was so abundant.

[dblshot]

Cost of meat, tortillas, etc is increasing. There is competition for field space as feed corn displaces sweet corn. More fertilizer in the corn belt means more algae in the Gulf of Mexico.

I still prefer to drink my sweet corn at around 100 proof.

[IronJack]

Cost of meat, tortillas, etc is increasing.

So is the price of gasoline.

There is competition for field space as feed corn displaces sweet corn.

Sweet corn is grown on truck farms. Little of it is grown on the vast acreages that grow corn or soybeans as feed grains.

More fertilizer in the corn belt means more algae in the Gulf of Mexico.

The fertilizer is going to be there regardless. Boo hoo for the Gulf of Mexico.

I still prefer to drink my sweet corn at around 100 proof.

Ah. One place we agree!

[TommyJoe]

I agree with the 100 proof, gotta dig out granpappy’s
recipe and coax Gonzo into using his Engineering skills
sos i can build my own Ethanol plant in my back yard.

been gone for awhile, but I am back, good to be back..

TommyJoe

[IronJack]

I agree with the 100 proof,

Actually, ethanol's pert' near 200 proof. And somebody's got to do the quality control ...

gotta dig out granpappy’s recipe and coax Gonzo into using his Engineering skills sos i can build my own Ethanol plant in my back yard.

I can see where Gonz's "engineering skills" would apply to a backyard "ethanol plant." We used to call 'em "stills."

been gone for awhile, but I am back, good to be back..

Good to see ya again.

[pray4liberty]

Well, somebody got rich...just not the State of California.

Penny wise and dollar foolish.

[TommyJoe]

I already got m own still, LOL. Born AND Raised in the backwoods of Mississippi, learned from granpappy.

My thing now is recycling used motor oil to diesel use.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Ethanol is a scam. All subsidies & hand-outs should cease immediately.