Like that really needs to be said right?
Anyway, stating the obvious aside, General Motors announced at the Detroit Auto Show that it will be teaming with Coskata, Inc. — a biology-based renewable energy company based in Indiana — to produce ethanol using a new, environmentally friendly method.
The new system allows for the production of ethanol from sources other than corn. The new technology would make it possible to make bio-fuel from renewable resources — such as livestock waste, municipal waste or even old tires — eliminating the pitfalls of producing ethanol from corn.
And the Cost to the consumer? Projected to be about $1 per gallon, well below the $3 per gallon consumers are used to seeing.
Of course this, as many are aware (but not enough), is the “dumb side” of the Ethanol equation, certain U.S. politicians have been pimping corn based fuel.
Chief among them are Missouri Senator Jim Talent, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Norm Coleman, of Minnesota have been grandstanding for alternative fuels in an effort to help their farmer-constituents.
Their grandstanding through tax breaks and idiotic letters to auto racing sanctioning bodies has led farmers to curtail the production of corn for human use and switch to varieties normally grown for feeding cattle.
That has done two things, with decreased corn production prices of products using corn and corn itself has steadily increased. I’m still waiting for the blow-back when it’s announced shipments of surplus U.S. grown corn will be reduced and some, or all third world countries will suffer as a result.
Secondly, and despite increased feed corn production, the increase is being turned into ethanol and not into the stomachs our most delicious bovine friends. The obvious result being increased prices at the butcher shop.
Some have argued that the amount of corn needed to produce a tankful of ethanol could feed a person for year. I’m far from an expert, but basic common sense instructs to pull anything from the human food chain to reduce the amount of oil used to power the American economy is ludicrous, at best, and down right delusional at worst.
But that’s usually what you get when politicians are involved. The worst.
UPDATE: Oops, says the European Union. Europe’s environment chief has admitted that the EU did not foresee the problems raised by its policy to get 10% of Europe’s road fuels from plants.
See what I mean, when the politicians get involved you get the worst. Aren’t these the same EU NannyStaters that have failed to met mandated goals set in the Kyoto Treaty? Yes… I thought so. (And the Canucks ain’t doing so hot either [no pun intended] they’re about 8 years behind schedule)
Recent reports have warned of rising food prices and rainforest destruction from increased biofuel production. Sum bitch, I thought it was all us plywood consumers that have led to deforestation.
Who’d a thunk it, deforestation would be exacerbated by the ecco-wennies!
“We have seen that the environmental problems caused by biofuels and also the social problems are bigger than we thought they were. So we have to move very carefully,” EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told the BBC.
“We have to have criteria for sustainability, including social and environmental issues, because there are some benefits from biofuels.”
Dumb asses I tell ya. Dumb asses one and all.
UPDATE II: More on the Euro-Ecco-Weenies:
A survey of travel habits has revealed that the most environmentally conscious people are also the biggest polluters.
“Green” consumers have some of the biggest carbon footprints because they are still hooked on flying abroad or driving their cars while their adherence to the green cause is mostly limited to small gestures.
Identified as “eco-adopters”, they are most likely to be members of an environmental organisation, buy green products such as detergents, recycle and have a keen interest in green issues.
But the survey of 25,000 people, by the market research company Target Group Index, found that eco-adopters are seven per cent more likely than the general population to take flights, and four per cent more likely to own a car. The survey found similar trends in France and the United States.
Can you spell hypocrites?
They all must be taking lesson from Al Gore, a/k/a The Goracle.
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