Reply #81: There is no argument for an exclusively bio-fuel economy

[cprise]

What I did state was biodiesel's potential, to help illustrate just how more productive it is compared with other biofuels. I have also defended microalgae farming against some incorrect assertions. I'm not advocating the banning of nuclear power, just its expansion in the near future. Nukes for us and poverty for everyone else is an energy policy that is asking for conflict.

What is the alternative nuclear policy? Nukes-for-all? And just who is being cavalier? If this thread is a debate over how best to power a diesel transportation sector, then who has been more strident in their claims without backing themselves up with references? ...then why has biodiesel use been more than doubling each year for the past 5 years, and why is the largest diesel market in the world focusing on biodiesel instead of DME? Does DME bring other positive effects into the system, such as the cleanup of agricultural runoff? These are crucial questions you should look into.


"To me, this biodiesel business sounds like the optimistic posturing of 1950's nuclear engineers whose administrators claimed a nirvana was around the corner."

Ironic. But that's what usually happens with projection.

Given the political and environmental concerns, I believe the great majority of energy production should be renewable. Biofuel will be a large part of that, and of that class of fuels biodiesel is shaping up to be the most productive component.

If you are expecting global droughts to impact fuel availability (unlikely, esp. given that much of the production will be done with sea water), then we would have much worse to worry about than fuel for transportation.

Yes, NIMBY rules. It is probably only half-wrong on average (these local instincts should not be turned into a code for "dumb"). Wind power makes great strides in the U.S., despite what happened with Cape Wind, while nuclear energy is still stagnant. Lastly, we should remember that GW Bush is a force for the concentration of power, and that is why I believe he is a friend to the nuclear energy industry in this country.