View single post by eatenbyagrue
 Posted: Sun Jun 7th, 2009 07:37 pm
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eatenbyagrue

 

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The article you cite is really terrible. I have no idea what brasschecktv.com is or where it gets its facts, but many of the number items listed are just plain wrong.

First, on this idea that original cars ran on alcohol, and the implication that gasoline took over as primary fuel due to the prohibition. This is complete and total nonsense.

It's true that some early engines ran on alcohol, but so what? There were some early car engines that ran on steam.

First oil wells were dug in 1859. The distillation into kerosine happened around that time. The first cars, in the early 1890's used petrol as fuel, and this quickly became the norm. I believe all the early Ford models, from the A, C to the T models all ran on gasoline. A simple Google search will confirm this.

So this idea that early cars ran on alcohol and somehow the prohibition put an end to this is just plain false.

Next, there is the claim that alcohol can be produced at $1 per gallon. This is wrong on two levels. First, it is misleading. A gallon of ethanol is much less dense than gasoline, so it is not comparable gallon to gallon. Second, according to most sources, ethanol cannot be produced at $1 per gallon. Current estimates are about $1.75 per gallon.

I am not sure what effect growing more corn for ethanol would have on the price of food, but to say there would be no effect is counterintuitive. Mass use of corn and other plants for fuel would increase demand for those plants. And we know what happens when demand rises.

Later, there is the claim that using plants for fuel is incredibly efficient? How so? As I pointed out, lots of money is spent on irrigating, fertilizing, harvesting, transporting, processing, all of which requires its own fuel, money, and leaves a carbon footprint.

Next is a thinly veiled conspiracy theory, that somehow the oil companies are discouraging the use of ethanol. I am not sure who makes ethanol exactly, but I know that oil companies sell the blended product, so they are making money there too.

And hey, if it was a great business, the oil companies would be interested in it. After all, ethanol is renewable. Exxon could set up ethanol processing plants - it has the money.

Anyway, maybe you just did not think too much about what you are posting, and that is understandable, as you do not have many readers, but if you want this site to be a resource for someone, or persuade someone, and not just sound like you are quoting random things and hoping something will stick, you should do your due diligence.