Reply #15: Inquiry requested into corporations restricting access to biofuels

[JohnWxy]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x40253

Ethanol currently supplies about 2% of the fuel supply for cars and trucks - I don't know how much the very expensive hybrid vehicles are saving in gas but considering how many have been sold and how much they actually reduce gasoline consumption (10- 15% in 'real life'?) What would you say their contribution to energy independence is, about 1/100,000 as much?


IF energy independence, of any degree is worth anything, ethanol is worth pursuing. Think in terms of oil supply disruption. If we would commit to it, we could boost ethanol production considerably in a few years. If we get it up to 5% of the gasoline supply that would provide some protection from oil supply disruptions at least up to a 5% or a bit more. That's important.

In a little longer time-frame ethanol could supply 20% of fuel demand. And that's money NOT going out of the country but staying here.

keep in mind too, that any car can burn E15 that alone reduces gasoline consumption, for that car, by 15%. And the FFV vehicles which can burn E85 DON'T COST A DIME MORE TO BUY - unlike the very expensive hybrid vehicles. Hybrid technology should still be pursued too, but ethanol is a valuable technology not being exploited- that's not doing any of us any good.