-Ethanol is made with sugar. We don’t make sugar real well, so we make corn…which than has to be processed to get out what we need. This adds another step to the process. Every time you add a step you add to the cost. As well as raising the costs in other sectors because the cost of corn goes up, which makes it more expensive to feed cows…you can see where this is going… -With farmers growing the corn as fast as they can, they are ruining the soil. Which, by the way is replenished with manure from the cows and made with oil -So, you say, you would rather support the Midwestern farmers than the big fat oil companies…Trust me the little farms are all owned by big, fat companies too. -Brazil is more than willing to tear down the entire rainforest to make this sugar for us, but now we are tearing down the rainforest that clears the world of much of its carbon gases, which is the original reason that we are making alternative fuels in the first place
2007-05-07 08:55:28 · 10 answers · asked by monkey 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Because the Democrats don't want us drilling in the US and ethanol would be the answer to foreign oils....
But you are right:
Our addiction to corn-derived alcohol is not only costing us a lot of money, it's also wiping out fish and wildlife habitat, and polluting our air, soil, and water.
By Ted Williams- Audubon Magazine 8/2004
David Pimentel of Cornell University, it takes the equivalent of 1.29 gallons of gasoline to produce enough ethanol to replace one gallon of gasoline at the pump. Instead of making the nation more energy self-sufficient, ethanol production actually increases our need for oil and gas imports.
Report: Coal-Powered Ethanol Plant CO2 Emissions 92% Higher than Gas-Powered
25 November 2006
Des Moines Register. A report by Frontline BioEnergy in Ames, Iowa concludes that ethanol plants powered by coal release as much as 92% more carbon dioxide than those powered by natural gas.
Makes the Dem's seem enviormentally friendly... I mean its corn ..... Right..
2007-05-07 09:54:35 · answer #1 · answered by bereal1 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ethanol is a short term filler at best. If all production capacities for farming were planted in corn, it would only produce about 9% of the US total fuel needs. Ethanol will never be a viable replacement. Something else we've already started to witness. As more corn is slated for ethanol production, the cost of animal feed (primarily corn) is raised which in turn raises the price of meat, milk, cheese, plus many other foods that we consume that use corn syrup. The benefit received from ethanol no where comes near the cost.
2007-05-07 09:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well there are many ways to look at every issue. Can't build new oil refineries, Drill off the coast of Florida, California and God forbid in Northern Alaska. Where shall we get our Oil? Oh by the way, Cows don't grow on Oil. Try Grass Corn and such. Walter Croncrite Doesn't want Wind Fan Off his Precious Home in Nantucket. It'd be an eye sore.
Well Then pc crowd lets all convert to Amish or Menonite. We can all live much more economical. Less Crime. Just Think No TV, Air Conditioning. Oh but we can take a lot of Hay Rides. Go To church Live a Clean life with No Electric in you home. Live off the land. No indoor Plumbing. Not that this isn't a way to live.
2007-05-07 09:33:05 · answer #3 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ethanol is made from a variety of sources..sugar cane,corn and lately cellulose (any plant material).Cellulose-based ethanol would be the cheapest and require the least oil to produce (corn stalks and other harvesting refuse could be used).Sugar cane would be second and corn would be the most expensive.
Using lower concentration of ethanol like E10 (10% ethanol) ,E15 or E20 instead of E85 would reduce the amount of ethanol production needed.Here in Jamaica we have 2 ethanol plants but the local farmers claim they will be unable to supply the needed quantity of sugar cane so we will import ethanol or raw material from Brazil..if we use only,say E10 the local supply could be enough.
A hybrid car with the gasoline engine using E20-E85(FFV) would significantly reduce emissions and fossil fuel usage.
2007-05-07 10:41:54 · answer #4 · answered by jamupz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil as a fuel pollutes our environment. Ethanol does not. We don't want Brazil to grow the corn for us. We don't want anyone outside the US to grow any crops for us, if we can help it. One day, all the oil will be gone. We have to find another fuel. If not ethanol, how about you come up with something else that is just as enviro friendly and effective?
2007-05-07 09:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Also, doesn't it take a great deal of oil to produce ethanol?
They really just need to work harder towards electric cars. That seems simple.
2007-05-07 09:36:54 · answer #6 · answered by Robert S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Short sighted, because it feels good, and it is economically not feasible today, probably never will be
But offer up nuclear as an alternate and the useful idiots come unglued.
2007-05-07 10:25:38 · answer #7 · answered by rmagedon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well we could use water but guess who has made everything possible not to let people know about this technology... Apparently the inventor was killed...
http://www.waterpoweredcar.com/
2007-05-07 09:05:19 · answer #8 · answered by Jose R 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because people need to believe everything is o.k.
2007-05-07 09:19:38 · answer #9 · answered by lalalalaconnectthedots 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so, I guess we are back to square one, what do you suggest we do?? sell the car??
2007-05-07 10:42:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋