Biofuels make greenhouse gases worse

[RWMorris]

Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse-gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these “green” fuels are taken into account, two studies published Thursday have concluded.
The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists took a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production…
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004171188_ethanol08.html

In recent weeks, environmentalist groups have begun to realize what we in our humble shop have been saying all along: Federal biofuel and ethanol mandates have potential to do far more harm than good. The initial idea made a fair amount of sense—use a portion of our abundant corn crops to produce ethanol as an alternative to oil. The renewable fuel source reduces greenhouse emissions, in addition to reducing our reliance on foreign oil. Pressured by environmental lobbyists, the federal government quickly jumped on the bandwagon, enacting a series of ethanol subsidies.

Federal meddling confused the market, especially as it became apparent that government mandates and subsidies were unpredictable and subject to change. Farm subsidies are sacred to both Republicans and Democrats, but the consequences of this “solution” are now obvious, and even some environmentalist groups have begun to complain. Rising demand for ethanol means rising demand for corn and a corresponding rise in corn prices, which then in turn affect the prices of countless other foods, both directly and indirectly. The demand for ethanol and the resulting increase in food prices have also resulted in changes in land use that are damaging the environment, undoing much of the alleged environmental benefit that ethanol was to provide in the first place. However, those benefits were greatly overrated. If America’s entire grain harvest were devoted to ethanol production, it would replace only 18 percent of our automotive demand for oil.

Environmentalists are contradicting themselves—again—providing yet another example of the fundamental uncertainty of so much environmental “science.” Perhaps most importantly, the ethanol fiasco reveals the ineptitude of centralized government when it comes to running the market. As old-fashioned as it may sound, the laws of supply and demand are enough to handle even our energy troubles, so long as the market is free from government interference. Otherwise, we are at the mercy of the law of unintended consequences.

• Patriot, Vol. 8, No. 6; 8 Feb 2008

 

[WanderAimlessly]

But they are “politically correct” greenhouse gases so they are good compared to evil oil.

 

[roanoker]

Oh H***! ! Just what we needed. Back to the planning board to find another way to save the planet from doom…Roanoker

 

[didymus]

Well, the fuels don’t matter as long as everybody’s driving all over the place. I laugh every time I hear some public service ad “Doing blah-blah will have the same impact as taking half a million cars off the road.”

Duh! So get the cars off the road!
Start with a $3/gallon tax on gasoline. Next, forget CAFE standards just put a tax on cars based on their mileage rating: $5K for a car that gets less than 20 mpg, $2K for less than 30 mpg, $1K for less than 40mpg, $0 for over 40.
Lest this encourage people to hold onto their old cars, they would have to have their current cars rated & pay the tax next time they register.

All monies raised by these taxes to go for mass transit.

 

[RWMorris]

Well, the fuels don’t matter as long as everybody’s driving all over the place. I laugh every time I hear some public service ad “Doing blah-blah will have the same impact as taking half a million cars off the road.”

Duh! So get the cars off the road!
Start with a $3/gallon tax on gasoline. Next, forget CAFE standards just put a tax on cars based on their mileage rating: $5K for a car that gets less than 20 mpg, $2K for less than 30 mpg, $1K for less than 40mpg, $0 for over 40.
Lest this encourage people to hold onto their old cars, they would have to have their current cars rated & pay the tax next time they register.

All monies raised by these taxes to go for mass transit.

I “like” the way you are so generous with everyone Else’s money. Oh, if your plan is implemented, “All monies raised by these taxes…” will have to go for unemployment. But we will all be healthier because you’ll take the rest of our money for “free” medical care.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Well, the fuels don’t matter as long as everybody’s driving all over the place. I laugh every time I hear some public service ad “Doing blah-blah will have the same impact as taking half a million cars off the road.”

Duh! So get the cars off the road!
Start with a $3/gallon tax on gasoline. Next, forget CAFE standards just put a tax on cars based on their mileage rating: $5K for a car that gets less than 20 mpg, $2K for less than 30 mpg, $1K for less than 40mpg, $0 for over 40.
Lest this encourage people to hold onto their old cars, they would have to have their current cars rated & pay the tax next time they register.

All monies raised by these taxes to go for mass transit.

And the people that struggle now to pay for gas? The people that CAN’T take public transportation to work? People like construction workers who carry all their tools in their trucks. People who don’t live near a bus line. Yeah, just charge an extra $3 a gallon. Cars that get the type of milage to avoid your “tax”, like hybrids, cost well over $20,000. You really think the people who can’t afford that tax can afford a $22-23,000 car?

In Christ,
Rand

 

[didymus]

And the people that struggle now to pay for gas? The people that CAN’T take public transportation to work? People like construction workers who carry all their tools in their trucks. People who don’t live near a bus line. Yeah, just charge an extra $3 a gallon. Cars that get the type of milage to avoid your “tax”, like hybrids, cost well over $20,000. You really think the people who can’t afford that tax can afford a $22-23,000 car?

In Christ,
Rand

You’re right, that should probably be a graduated %age, starting at 25%.
Thanx.