Posted on 02/26/2012 9:18:04 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
President Obama’s reference to algae in his Thursday energy speech drew flak over the weekend from Newt Gingrich, who called it “weird” before calling algal biofuel “a terrific concept.” But Obama had political reasons to promote algae in Florida, the sunny, swampy, politically-volatile state he carried in 2008.
The Obama Administration has already sunk $25 million into a Florida company—Alganol Biofuels—that is building an algae biorefinery using a patented technology that promises to streamline the process of extracting oils from algae so they be converted to ethanol.
“We’re making new investments in the development of gasoline and diesel and jet fuel that’s actually made from a plant-like substance — algae,” Obama said in Miami. ” You’ve got a bunch of algae out here, right? If we can figure out how to make energy out of that, we’ll be doing all right.”
Obama’s remarks rest on a 2011 study by the Energy Department’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which found that 17 percent of U.S. oil imports could be displaced by domestic biofuels from algae.
The authors consider 17 percent a viable number based on optimal land and water and geographic placement of algae farms.
They did not propose a timeline for development of an algal energy industry, but they identified a potential Achilles’ Heel of algal biofuels: up to 350 gallons of fresh water would be needed to produce one gallon of oil from algae.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Maybe he’ll make an appearance on SpongeBob SquarePants.
ping
[I say scrap the algae idea until they can find something that will grow with sea water! ]
Umm. Read the 2nd page.
The algae idea was a good one when W was in office, and it still has merit - especially if the ~can use sea water.
There are still plenty of good reasons to Toss the Saladin in 2012.
You mean they don't even know how? Also I imagine ALL of us pond people who Hate algae in our ponds will get fined for using chemicals to kill it off.
I see Dow was smart enough to bail.
They should float the freaking farms on the ocean, using a genome incapable of surviving saltwater (which makes the surroundings the containment zone). If there's a storm, sink it about thirty meters down. Hell, put the refinery out there too. Grow food for the workforce. Stake claims on the sector. Start a new country.
Wouldn't know. Don't own a TV.
“Maybe he’ll make an appearance on SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Somehow I have a feeling Plankton is behind this whole scheme . . .
(Now if it actually was economically viable, you can be sure Mr. Krabs would somehow have his fingers - err, claws - in it ).
Obama’s green base does somersaults when they hear words like algae.
After reading the whole article in forbes, including the opening sentence, it seems to me the real purpose of the article was to make Gingrich look contradictory and confused. Is Forbes magazine and this author McMahon on board with Romney by any chance?
Here’s what Newt actaully said that included the word “weird”:
“And maybe what we ought to do at Newt.org is we ought to get t-shirts that say ‘You choose.’ Gingrich went on to suggest the slogans, ‘You have Newt: Drill here, Drill Now, Pay Less. You have Obama: Have Algae, Pay More, Be Weird.”
Pretty funny, I thought. In context, what Gingrich had to say about the biofuel from algae situation that Obama brought up, made good sense.
Plankton’s restaurant is called The Chum Bucket.
If the name fits............
After reading the whole article in forbes, including the opening sentence, it seems to me the real purpose of the article was to make Gingrich look contradictory and confused. Is Forbes magazine and this author McMahon on board with Romney by any chance?
Here’s what Newt actaully said that included the word “weird”:
“And maybe what we ought to do at Newt.org is we ought to get t-shirts that say ‘You choose.’ Gingrich went on to suggest the slogans, ‘You have Newt: Drill here, Drill Now, Pay Less. You have Obama: Have Algae, Pay More, Be Weird.”
Pretty funny, I thought. In context, what Gingrich had to say about the biofuel from algae situation that Obama brought up, made good sense.
All due praise to you for thoroughness.
I hope you will remain so vigilant as this latest (ethanol, wind, solar) tax-funded boondoggle runs its course.
Maybe we should’ve just sat with our thumb up our arse whilst the Soviets and Chicoms landed on the moon first too ehh — whilst waiting for a pure “commercial” vulturely-funded endeavor?
Was the Apollo program a tax-funded boondoggle as well?
When you planning on releasing your own DARPAnet?
>>I see Dow was smart enough to bail.
What was the ticker value for Apollo circa 1968?
As much as I would love to mock obama and the greenies on the water consumption, it really isn’t a problem. Water doesn’t just go away or get destroyed.
It is one of the ultimate recyclables and just cycles around and around and around.
If they had to burn energy to desalinate, that would an issue, but if they just pull from rivers or lakes, then big deal. It will evaporate, then rain back down somewhere else.
I get sick of hearing the left talk about “saving water”. If your area is desert or has a lack of water, then conservation is good, but the water doesn’t get destroyed like the terminology the lefties use make it seem.
JOMO
I don’t care what you sit with up your arse.
If you want to compare Algae-Gazprom with NASA that’s your (idea) of business too.
Far as I’m concerned, you and your kind can sit and credit Al Gore for the successes of Apple and Microsoft as well. I’m sure you figure his invention of the internet was at least an inspiration for THOSE WHO GOT THE DAMNED HARD WORK DONE ON THEIR OWN IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
My suggestion is that you put your own money (if you have any) where your mouth is (if it ain’t to far up your arse to get to already), and hurry out there and invest in some of these Democrat jackpots.
Oh, and be sure to let us know when you and Barry roll out your “Five-Year-Plan” for your grand state-sponsored successes, okay? As he has noted, and I’m sure you are excited about, he (and you) only have another five years left.
As far as my “DARPAnet”—mister, I own my own business, I make my own money, I pay my own bills, I tend to my own affairs. I hope that’s still okay with you and Barry.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.