Posted on 12/27/2007 7:25:46 AM PST by rhema
The author seems to think that common sense rules in Congress and just how strong the Farm Lobby is in our country.
Bio-diesel, OTOH, can serve very well here. Especially since Bio-diesel can be produced with feedstocks other than from food sources
ping
Not quite.
The author forgets that bill clinton gave the chicoms MIRV technology for their space program for a campaign contribution of $100,000. That technology had been paid for over some 40 years of US defense spending of some $20 trillion. That giveaway saved the chicoms 20 years or development and at least $20 trillion.
Bio-fuels is the Emperor’s New Clothes, IMO.
The work of several companies growing oil-laden algae on a large scale not only will produce diesel fuel, heating oil and possibly kerosone on a large scale, but the solid waste from the refining processing could be processed further into ethanol fuel. I think in the end, that’s how we will get biofuels—by refining it from certain types of algae.
This guy hasn't a clue what he is talking about. Our firm is working in this area, and I see almost a Marshall Plan of effort put forth by others, public and private.
“I think in the end, thats how we will get biofuelsby refining it from certain types of algae.”
I suspect so as well -however, we just don’t want ot hear:
Soylent green is People.......!!!!!!!
:-)
Lots of people are already balderdashing everyday on the way to the bank.
I believe it is immoral to use food crops to make fuel as long as there are people going hungry in this world. Wait until the price of meat, breads, etc go up in this country; people will lose the love affair with grain-based biofuels.
The article is also wrong regarding China. Energy is a commodity. To the extent we drive alternatives to oil (such as biofuels) onto the market, energy prices will be lowered (or the rate of increase will be lowered). The lower energy prices will benefit both countries equally. But we will benefit relative to China because a substantial portion of the cost of energy will remain here (due to domestic biofuels) while China's money will go to Muslim idiots.
Well, if someone could figure out how to turn manure into fuel...D.C. could become the largest supplier of that...
I agree on electrification, disagree on biofuels (as a general catagory). Re: electrification - we should do what France has done, build enough nuclear plants to supply most of our electricity needs. Maybe we need 500 or 1,000 plants - well, then, let's get the process moving along. On autos, the short-term solution is diesel. The new clean diesels get the expected 25%-40% increased fuel economy over gasoline engines, and hybrid diesels in small cars could give well over 70 MPG. But long-term the solution is electric cars. That's a solution that cannot be mandated, but one the marketplace will make. Right now, dozens of large companies are pouring literally billions per year into developing this technology, and someday (maybe in 15 years or so) all-electric cars will be available at a reasonable price.
As to biofuels, the same thing applies - the marketplace will determine the winner. Subsidies are fine for getting a technology off the ground, but those subsidies must be looked at as an investment for the country that will pay off in terms of higher tax revenues later on (from profits, wages, R&D expenditures, etc.). Again, many dozens of large companies are pouring billions per year into this area, and someday we'll have algae producing biodiesel at a rate of 10,000 gallons per acre of DESERT. Ethanol production WILL become far more efficient and WILL use feedstocks besides corn or other foods.
The author is WAY too pessimistic about the technology. Given time and incentives (i.e. a promise of a big pot of gold at the end of the road), and damned near ANY technological problem can be solved. This "crisis" will leave the US and the West even further ahead of the Turd World than we are now.
Have you ever wondered why it is that one of the biggest problems facing farmers in this country is OVER production?
That's due to the fact that, generally, people get the government they deserve, and the resulting level of food production that goes with that government.
We live in a country whose Founding Fathers were God fearing, and as a result, we have been blessed by farmers who can produce way more food than we can possibly eat.
Other countries, from Haiti to Zimbabwe practice Voodoo, Witchcraft, and any number of heathen religions. They have the natural resources to produce more food than they can eat, but have they have chosen not to. They face starvation on a daily basis. By choice.
Let them follow the path of their choice, including starvation.
If we are going to force something on them, like food, the only moral thing to do is to also force on them the Coulter Foreign Aid Doctrine:
1. Invade their countries
2. Kill their leaders.
3. Convert them to Christianity
Thats the only kind thing to do.
Otherwise, let them starve.
That's old, old technology. Many municipalities have had generators running off of methane gas for years. Plus, new technology is turning turkey manure into oil.
“The author is WAY too pessimistic about the technology. Given time and incentives (i.e. a promise of a big pot of gold at the end of the road), and damned near ANY technological problem can be solved. This “crisis” will leave the US and the West even further ahead of the Turd World than we are now.”
Roger that.
Just my standard Mk 1 Mod 0 idea of a simple solution yet........Start drilling in the US and it’s territorial waters now, build 12 new refineries and nuclear power plants in each of Nixon’s nine regions and the bio-ehtanol problem is moot for 200 more years or so.
Plenty of time for some gadgeteer geekinest to solve the problem and bring it to a viable and real form of usable cheap energy that will work with what we use vs making everyone stand in line for watered down corn squeezins etc etc .....
Common denominator blocking all the above ?
EPA paperwork dam......
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