E85 fuel short term solution

[Paul G]

I read in this morning's paper that Indiana is getting the world's largest biodiesel plant. It will use 50 million bushels of soybeans to produce 80 million gallons of biodiesel per year. This sounds like an excellent way to start weaning ourselves from dependence on foreign oil.

Why aren't we hearing more about E85 production? It seems to me that E85 is the perfect short term solution to ease ourselves off of the dependence we have on foreign oil. Think about it, if the federal government would make it law that all vehicles produced for sale in the U.S. must be E85 compatible by 2008 that would be the first step. When the fuel suppliers see a market for E85 they can start ramping up production for it.

From what I have read building a new vehicle to be E85 compatible costs little to nothing for the manufacturer, it burns cleaner, and we make it right here in the good old USA. Good for the farmers, good for the communities who get the ethanol plants, good for the consumers who have another choice. The only ones it is bad for are the oil producing nations who love to keep us dangling on a string over oil prices. 

Seems to me this is a no brainer, short term solution to the oil crises we are currently in. Why isn't our government acting on something like this?

[RD]

except the big oil companies in the US who have too much tied up in oil.. but yes I totally agree with you 100%!

[golden73]

That is perfect... but you forgot about politics.

There is no way in hell that is ever going to happen. The lobbyists own our government. We will keep using oil until we run out of it.

Apparently we should be using hydrogen cars within the next 30 years.... what the hell is taking so long??? Politics.

New Zeland already has the majority of their cars run on hydrogen, but thats something the US cant do, because it is not profitable for our congressmen. 

[CFMopar]

"The production of ethanol, for instance, requires six units of energy to produce just one. That means it consumes more energy than it produces and thus will only serve to compound our energy deficit."

You should read this its a great read

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050329132436.htm
havent read it all but basicly confirms from what I read...

[89MOPAR]

 If it's so great why does it need gov't susbsidies ?

I think - bad for the average taxpayer
 

[Paul G]

"The production of ethanol, for instance, requires six units of energy to produce just one. That means it consumes more energy than it produces and thus will only serve to compound our energy deficit."

You should read this its a great read

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050329132436.htm
havent read it all but basicly confirms from what I read...

He states the energy consumed to produce ethanol is greater then the energy you get from ethanol, but never states anything about the amount of energy consumed to produce gasoline. If the costs of extracting crude oil from the ground, shipping, and refining it in to gasoline as we use it today were calculated, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be very close to the costs of ethanol.

As far as subsidies go farmers are paid not to plant there fields all the time. How about they use that land to grow something like corn for ethanol production instead and not get the handouts from Uncle Sam.

[CFMopar]

You cant grow corn every year cause its harsh on the soil you can only grow it every other year from what I've heard.

[89MOPAR]

 I agree with not letting the land sit, but ethanol industry is subsidized by our gov't.

[my69]

You cant grow corn every year cause its harsh on the soil you can only grow it every other year from what I've heard.

Yep that is correct. Corn need nitrogen to grow and that is why the soybeans give the ground the nutrients it gives, I'm  not "an agronomist" by any means, But the farmers around here ALTERNATE there Fields.
ONE year they plant the soybeans AND THE next year they plant the "corn".  Kinda makes ya think they can use the soybeans for the   Biodiesel huh  

But I also heard that BIODIESEL ISN'T ALL THAT good for the engines either? (not enough lubrication?)
Gotta go towork see ya next time
My69

[Todd Wilson]

We are not concerned with weening our selves from foreign oil.  We are not concerned with other solutions. We will only be concerned when the OIL RUNS OUT!   Right now its all about PROFIT!!!!!!!! The country needs fuel and we dont care where we get the fuel. 

I totally agree we should try and get away from foreign oil but its not gonna happen. The oil companys are in business to supply fuel and they will get fuel from where ever they can.

You as an american will continue to pay the high prices for fuel and from fuel (other things need fuel to be made and hauled to the store)!



Todd

[Paul G]

We are not concerned with weening our selves from foreign oil.  We are not concerned with other solutions. We will only be concerned when the OIL RUNS OUT!   Right now its all about PROFIT!!!!!!!! The country needs fuel and we dont care where we get the fuel. 

I totally agree we should try and get away from foreign oil but its not gonna happen. The oil company's are in business to supply fuel and they will get fuel from where ever they can.

You as an American will continue to pay the high prices for fuel and from fuel (other things need fuel to be made and hauled to the store)!



Todd

This is exactly why a switch to Bio Fuels has to start at the top with the federal govt. Actually it has to start with people like us voting in politicians who think like we do.