From: dizzy - Find messages by this author
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:12:58 GMT

Oh goody. More absolute statements that are mainly not correct. Another
chance to argue. What fun.

There's no freaking way it's that much cheaper, unless it's heavily
subsidized. In fact, I'd be surprised if it was cheaper at all, and
I've read that it takes more energy to produce the alcohol than what's
in the alcohol.

Surprize! It is that much cheaper. And it apparently delivers more
energy than it takes to produce.

http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol_energy.html

"The responsible, reliable analyses done well show that both corn
[kernel] ethanol and cellulosic ethanol can replace petroleum," Dale
says. He points to a 2004 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
that reported that ethanol production returns 67 percent more energy
than it consumes."

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20051001/bob10.asp

A picture on price is worth a thousand words:

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.or...eilm_e86sales/

Another couple of articles on price:

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...ar/P125241.asp

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/macon/rr/i1098_33.html

Here's Big Oil, one of the real culprits in limiting E85:

"Certainly, ethanol has its friends, like corn growers, and its
enemies. In July, Corn Cob Bob, an ethanol industry mascot, was
banished from Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. Shell, a sponsor of
the festivities, had expressed discomfort at the mascot's
participation. "

http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=4408

And yes, there does appear to be a government subsidy. But as the
market grows, and the technology matures, one would presume that those
would go away.

I also believe you have to look at some what we're spending in the
Middle East as at least partially a fuel subsidy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85

Is E85 the total answer? Probably not. But (as one of the articles
points out) most people that already drive an E85-equipped car don't
even know it. As nob stated, we should be doing *everything* we can do
reduce our dependence on oil. Letting people have the option, or simply
making them aware that they already have the option, is a start.

Setting and enforcing fleet mileage requirements would be another good
step.

I look forward to a long and fruitful argument with you.