To add my thoughts to berg's and mike's recent posts...
It's time to put this matter to rest: There is no sustainable future in corn-based ethanol. Period. Even if all the farmland in the US was dedicated to growing corn for ethanol, it would currently only supply a small amount of our auto fleet's fuel demand. And then we'd have to import all of our food, using some kind of fuel to do so. We would do best to just forget about corn-based ethanol, even if the EROEI (energy received over energy invested) ratio is, in fact, above 1 (and I actually think it is, or could be made such, so don't consider me a devotee of the Pimentel/Padzek study).
The tragedy is that it is politically expedient to push it, given Iowa's role in presidential races. But expedience doesn't set you free. Nor can ethanol proponents hide the fact that, at present, it takes a lot of coal to produce. (See here and here.)
Corn-based ethanol is only a "bullet" in a too literal sense, as in, "We should try to avoid getting hit by one." Cellulosic ethanol, if it ever reaches beyond the experimental stage, could be used sustainably if on a small scale. In other words, don't think it will be the manna from heaven that nourishes or fuel-guzzling auto fleet. If made economically feasible, it could be useful in powering buses, paratransit, and emergency vehicles. But to think that ethanol will allow us to continue motoring well into the future with a smooth transition is the stuff of fantasy reserved for those who believe in a perpetual motion machine.
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2 comments:
I don't think we were making the argument that corn based ethanol was the answer.
In terms of cellulosic ethanol, its hard to make an argument at this point not knowing for certain the possible yield given genetically engineered developments. Some think it would be appreciably high, with switchgrass as the crop of choice, which would not have to be imported from anywhere.
But I do agree, manna from heaven would be the most economic source of fermentable sugars and we should contract Yahweh as soon as possible.
"manna from heaven would be the most economic source of fermentable sugars and we should contract Yahweh as soon as possible."
I hear Exxon has increased its priest and rabbi hirings.
Btw, I didn't think you were saying corn-based ethanol was the answer. I just wanted to put my exclamation point on our uneasiness.
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