WG>The good thing about ethanol is that it is a domestic source of energy - including the fertilizer. Keeps the dollars circulating in the USA, and indirectly reduces our balance of payments deficit. Of course when we start to run out of NG, as LNG imports now would suggest, we are not much further towards energy independence, but not as bad as relying on oil exclusively<
Why is domestic production wise if it is an inefficient waste of resources? We can produce bananas in Michigan, employ thousands to cut wood, and heat the green houses with a renewable resource. And who could afford these bananas? If the goal of national policy is energy independence, ethanol is irrational and politically corrupt. Better, IMO, to develop our immense coal supplies to produce liquid petroleum products.
Second, if the US creates its own energy independence via coal, ethanol, solar, etc., how would the increase in price of petrol feed stocks affect US chemical and plastics production? Would these industries lose to foreign competition that could use cheaper sources (ME oil)? |
