There's no hope

[tw]

Originally Posted by plthijinx

you forgot to mention that ethanol is a corn substitute additive to gasoline thus cutting down on the consumption of oil.

Would be true if one unit of energy produced multiple units of ethanol energy. First, petroleum produces about 30 units of energy for one unit to obtain it. Ethanol consumes one unit of energy for one unit produced.

Second, different from Brazil where the ethanol process is actually profitable. Where less energy produces more ethanol energy. So Brazil need not subsidize their energy industry with tens of $billions. To protect our unproductive and inefficient ethanol industry, America adds a $0.50 per gallon tax on imported Brazilian ethanol. American ethanol is that inefficient and unproductive.

One unit of energy only produces one unit of energy. Costs most money. Basically American ethanol violates principles that make free markets work. A perfect example of what would happen in a Soviet economy. Something immediately cut from a government budget IF the tea party is serious about cutting wasteful government spending.

Third, we spend more on for pet food R&D than on energy research. How could that change? Remove at least $25billion that subsidizes unproductive ethanol plants. Then invest it in research for productive energy sources including an ethanol that might be productive. But we do not do that. We spend tens of $billions to enrich owners of useless ethanol manufacturing plants. Then put it into cars resulting in lower gasoline mileage.

So many damning numbers. I can find no advantage to ethanol. But many of power brokers are getting rich on it.