Do you support ethanol?

Question

I have to say I like ethanol. Does it not bring down the fuel price? Help with oil supply? Keeps money in the US? Would you like to pay more for food made in the US or more for oil from another country? How much energy does it take to get gasoline to the US cars compared to energy gasoline makes?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I do NOT support ethanol.  The use of food crops to make fuel is the worst thing that could have been done!  Personally, I would rather eat than drive.  I enjoy eating everyday, but I don't have to drive everyday.  

Ethanol does NOT bring down fuel cost.  Ethanol may be 'cheaper', but it also burns faster than gasoline.  The modern engine can be damaged by burning ethanol above 10-15%.  Only Flex fuel engines can deal with ethanol without problems.  GM recently started putting these engines in US vehicles.  They have been sold in vehicles in other countries for years...especially countries like Brazil that have been using ethanol for decades.  They learned their lesson from the oil crunch of the 70s.  We didn't in the US.  We went right back to producing/driving gas guzzling cars and trucks.  

What little savings we are suppose to see at the gas pump is spent (plus some) at the grocery store.  Not only do humans eat corn, but a lot of the meat and dairy livestock.  When adding the 'savings' at the pump, don't forget to include the increase in your grocery bill as well.  I don't know about you, but my net savings is a net LOSS.

The only people benefitting from ethanol is mainly the farmers and crops to ethanol processors.  Even they are spending more at the pump and grocery store...just like the rest of us.  

We are not cutting our need for foreign oil at a real measurable level.  Every oil tanker that was in use before ethanol is making just as many trips, and just as fast.  Ethanol requires almost as much energy to produce it as it provides.  The net gain may be about 20%.  Since it doesn't yield as much energy as gasoline when burned, that net gain ends up being close to a net LOSS when burned in our engines.  If it damages your engine, it becomes a HUGE loss.

Do a search on the internet for algae.  Algae can produce an average of 6K gallons of oil per acre per year.  It takes much less energy to process it than crude oil into gas, diesel, and even jet fuel.  Algae also can be used for food.  It has been on the shelves of grocery and health food stores for at least a decade.  Algae is a VERY fast growing plant.  As with other green plants, it works on photosynthesis, which requires CO2.  

A company called Vertigro is working on a vertical algae farm technique that is estimated to be able to produce as much as 100K gallons per acre per year.  I challenge you to find a food crop that can match even the 6K gallon average.

With algae being able to thrive on CO2, produce fuel and food from the same crop, and grow on less desirable lands, food crops now being used for ethanol should go back to being ONLY edible consumables and not used for fuel.  This would mean lower fuel prices, less of a chance of damaging engines, and far less harmful to the environment.  When food crops go back to the grocery store and leave the gas station, our grocery bill should also decrease.  

Once you do your own research and see the potential of algae, I think you will have a change of heart.

Answer 2

Corn-based ethanol is stupid.

But not as stupid as people like to make it sound. Animals can eat the byproducts of corn-based ethanol, a protein-rich mush.

Cellulostic ethanol, on the other hand, takes the most plentiful substance on the planet and turns it into energy.

Algae-based ethanol is an excellent idea, which will let us use the worst places on earth to make the best energy.

Answer 3

at what cost????

http://byderule.multiply.com/journal/ite...

more than half of the worlds food supply is diverted for ethanol .causing wide spread starvation

or it is bringing down rain forests ,

http://byderule.multiply.com/journal/ite...

only corporate fascists could whole heartedly support Ethanol.

Answer 4

If it's burned in fuel cells, its useful energy value is more high than that of gasoline.

I support it because it has high numbers...

Answer 5

No it messed up my car. They are not doing a good job marking the stuff at the pump. We could get all the oil we needed from Alaska if we were not so afraid of hurting an endangered owl. We need cheaper gas or I am afraid times are going to get unbearable.

Answer 6

Ethanol is a net loss because it raises food prices and has no effect on fuel prices.

It also requires too much energy to create it.

Answer 7

I Would Never Support Ethanol!

America Grows Enormous Amounts Of Corn And It Shouldn't Be Used For Fuel. It Should Be Sent To Less Fortunate Places Around The World That Are Dying From Starvation.

We Could Save Lives!!

Personally Life Is More Important Than Motor Transportation.

Besides Buying A Bus Pass Is Cheaper Than Buying Gas Now. Just Take The Bus.

Hurray For Public Transportation!!!

Answer 8

Ethanol isn't that good..  Had a class on it this semester...  Yes you pay less but it burns faster...

Answer 9

Keep money in the U.S.....why doesn't the Gov't take away all of the gas taxes....didn't you know the reason why the gas prices have always been expensive is because they have always been taxed so high. yeah prices vary, but still

Answer 10

the reason it seams lower price is 50 cents a gallon government payment to producers...and it has less power than gas..[lower mpg]  it ruins fuel system of cars not built for it....freezes up easier in winter...