Perverting science for politics

[TheMercenary]

The bottom line is Gore, and all his glad-handing global warming bs, did it for one reason. To get elected. Not because he had the interests of the enviroment or farmers or anyone else in mind. Selfish prick.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Selfish prick Politician.

[tw]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

The bottom line is Gore, and all his glad-handing global warming bs, did it for one reason. To get elected.

And again, numbers and reality contradict the conclusion. Gore was out of office in 2000. Domestic ethanol was required by a Republican Congress and Republican White House starting 2003. But let’s blame Gore because political agendas are more important than reality.

Meanwhile, facts are so one sided that everyone in the Cellar should be critical of ethanol.

When mankind first used oil, one unit of energy resulted in 100 units of petroleum energy. Now that we have burned up all the easy and ‘sweet’ stuff, we only get 30 energy units per one unit to produce it.

One unit of energy is required to produce one whole unit of ethanol energy. No problem. We are making more (unproductive) jobs. According to political spin, that is good. That’s one unit of coal or oil to provide one unit of ethanol.

Last number I saw, ethanol producers are given $1.01 per gallon by government. Corporate welfare. Also part of that early 2000 Republican law. After all, Regan proves that deficits don't matter.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by tw

And again, numbers and reality contradict the conclusion. Gore was out of office in 2000. Domestic ethanol was required by a Republican Congress and Republican White House starting 2003. But let’s blame Gore because political agendas are more important than reality.

Meanwhile, facts are so one sided that everyone in the Cellar should be critical of ethanol.

When mankind first used oil, one unit of energy resulted in 100 units of petroleum energy. Now that we have burned up all the easy and ‘sweet’ stuff, we only get 30 energy units per one unit to produce it.

One unit of energy is required to produce one whole unit of ethanol energy. No problem. We are making more (unproductive) jobs. According to political spin, that is good. That’s one unit of coal or oil to provide one unit of ethanol.

Last number I saw, ethanol producers are given $1.01 per gallon by government. Corporate welfare. Also part of that early 2000 Republican law. After all, Regan proves that deficits don't matter.

[TheMercenary]

Point noted. I use the terms interchangeably.

[TheMercenary]

Another good article.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...president.html

[HungLikeJesus]

Actually, the energy balance ratio for ethanol depends on what it's being made from. In 2002, the energy balance for corn ethanol was 1:1.34 (http://www.usda.gov/oce/reports/energy/aer-814.pdf). Since that time, improvements have been made in both farming techniques and ethanol production technologies.

Ethanol from sugar cane is reported to have a much higher energy balance (about 1:8); the energy balance for cellulosic ethanol is currently similar to corn, but a lot of research is on-going to improve that.

[TheMercenary]

A few friends of mine and I are looking into growing switch grass as a renewable source to sell to power plants.

[Lamplighter]

FWIW: re the latest tax-cut agreement with the Repubicans

Politico

An extension of the ethanol credit of some sort is currently expected to be part of a final deal.
Lobbyists at the Renewable Fuels Association – a pro-ethanol group – Wednesday said
Obama administration and congressional sources have indicated an extension is part
of the deal at the moment but that the final details – including the length of the extension
and value of the tax credit – are still being discussed.

Along with the possible decrease in the ethanol credit, the White House also specifically cut out
of their deal with Republicans $1.4 billion in federal grants that would go to boost wind,
solar, geothermal and biomass projects.

[TheMercenary]

Gore is going to be pissed....