Latest Findings Show Widespread Use Of E-85 Fuel Can Double Green House Gases

While the US and others race to expand the use and production of biofuels, two new studies suggest these gasoline alternatives actually will increase carbon-dioxide levels.

A study published in the latest issue of Science finds that corn-based ethanol, a type of biofuel pushed heavily in the U.S., will nearly double the output of greenhouse-gas emissions instead of reducing them by about one-fifth by some estimates. A separate paper in Science concludes that clearing native habitats to grow crops for biofuel generally will lead to more carbon emissions.

The findings are the latest to take aim at biofuels, which have already been blamed for pushing up prices of corn and other food crops, as well as straining water supplies. The Energy Department expects U.S. ethanol production to reach about 7.5 billion gallons this year from 3.9 billion in 2005, encouraged by high prices and government support. The European Union has proposed that 10% of all fuel used in transportation should come from biofuels by 2020.
 

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/13/2008 4:14:54 PM

+5 Boost

Today solutions are tomorrows problems - The Fifth Discipline

Auto_expert - 2/13/2008 7:51:12 PM

+1 Boost

...like in the 1970s when it was proposed that we melt the ice caps by covering it with black soot or divert arctic rivers (to stop global cooling) as reported by Newsweek, April 28, 1975. We can only look back and laugh now.

EnnNorak - 2/13/2008 8:23:59 PM

+1 Boost

Doubling CO2 will not double greenhouse gases as CO2 is a small percentage of total greenhouse gases. Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

Anyway, I am annoyed at the auto industry being made the scapegoat for pollution and greenhouse gases produced by China and India. Countries all over the world should undertake a massive effort to plant more trees. Municipalities should require each homeowner to plant a certain number of trees per unit area of property.

Rupert - 2/13/2008 5:28:47 PM

+1 Boost

What have I been telling you all?

1970toyotamarc - 2/13/2008 5:41:40 PM

+2 Boost

None of these studies matter as long as Washington continues to give CAFE credits to E-85 vehicles. If the credits stopped, and low mpg "flex-fuel" vehicles were counted as the normal enrgy wasters/pollution creators that they are, the whole industry would give up on E-85.

Bored - 2/13/2008 7:27:06 PM

+1 Boost

@ TheSailor,

You've said it best (and first). Corn-based E85 just helps with jacking up the price of produce. Damn you, Bob Lutz!

I recently heard mention of trash/landfill-based fuel. On the surface, it sounds nasty. But as long as it can be derived to produce reduced harmful emissions, I'm for it.

You suggested wood. Now I'm no tree hugger, but we need trees!
How about hemp (not to be mistaken with anything containing THC)?

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/13/2008 6:42:30 PM

+1 Boost

My problem is not about CO2 emissions, its the water. As a child of the west I've always adhered to Mark Twains quote,"Whiskey for drinkin and water for Fightin". Google depletion of the Ogalla aquifer, a primary water source for the Great Plains agriculture, it'll depress the hell out you. The Southwest is in a major drought(normal for the west)and some say Lake Mead may be dry by 2040. The bottom line is we Probably be reliant on other country,again for fuel.

But the plow follows the money. In America we're just trading one diminishing resource for another.

cdoke - 2/13/2008 8:01:41 PM

+2 Boost

The Ogallala is an interesting study, while it is true that there are large primarily focued areas that have significant drowdown, there are some places where irrigation is actually charging the aquifer in excess of its natural recharge rate.

This happens with farmers irrigate from rivers such as the South Platte in northwest Colorado. In that location the last I knew the Aquifer had risen by between 10 and 20 ft, but there are small places were it has risen by as much as 40 ft.

cdoke - 2/13/2008 8:02:34 PM

+1 Boost

Either I have been having problems typing or there is something wrong with this wireless keyboard.

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/14/2008 4:55:30 PM

0 Boost

Unfortunately the major potion of the aquifer is still shrinking, Texas's is in particularly bad shape.

cdoke - 2/13/2008 8:23:59 PM

+1 Boost

As far an ethanol goes, I remember attending a speech by Peter Tartzakian and he described the idea as "dangerous".

EnnNorak - 2/13/2008 8:34:22 PM

+1 Boost

I have keyboard problems also and find myself proofreading two or three times before I submit. Installing new batteries did not help so I conclude that the problem could be typing while connected to the site on-line. Most of the corrections I have to make while proofreading are unintended missing or extra letters, incorrect spacing and two consecutive letters reversed.

As for ethanol being dangerous, the use of hydrogen was abandoned after the Hindenburg disaster because of the perception of danger. Actually, hydrogen is quite safe as it is so light that it goes straight up. Most of the people who died in the Hindenburg disaster died because they jumped instead of waiting for the gondola to reach ground and running away.

chewy - 2/13/2008 8:54:33 PM

0 Boost

corn ethanol/e85= a joke

SteedPub - 2/13/2008 8:59:08 PM

0 Boost

It's yet another signpost on the road to follyland.

When will these enviro-lefy-loons stop meddling with the realities of our existence and accept the fact that burning oil and driving SUV's is not ending the world.

Porschinator - 2/13/2008 9:23:46 PM

0 Boost

Which Chinese city is that in pic? Ethanol still has a long way to go...

JohnLocke008 - 2/14/2008 12:10:19 AM

+1 Boost

What the heck are we supposed to do then? Sheesh.

ILikeLambo - 2/14/2008 3:15:48 AM

+1 Boost

what about if its a rainy day?

carguy68 - 2/14/2008 11:21:02 AM

+1 Boost

gm is going to kill us with their e85 crap they sell.

TybeeZ4 - 2/16/2008 3:16:30 PM

+2 Boost

E85 is a political subsidy for the agro-industry. The real short term solution is diesel-electric, a small diesel powered generator to recharge electric batteries. In the longer term hydrogen fuel cells will be the answer.