biofuels
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Like so many alternative energies, the negative side effects are enormous- People are getting wise to corn ethanol for fuel. It depletes the food supply both directly by using corn for energy fuel and indirectly by raising the price of corn and so increasing the demand for corn substitutes and their price too. It increases…
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Biofuel crops can be a big threat to wildlife, or not, as this article shows- Biofuel Grasslands Better for Birds. Science Daily.
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A new use for the bankrupt Missoula paper mill might save jobs, but beware of “greenwashing”- “Biomass” fuel, as it is often called, is said to be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. It may be that way sometimes, but cutting down dead forests, hauling them off and burning them to make steam for electricity is…
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This is much better (on paper) than other biofuels or hydrogen gas- This is an amazing development. Hopefully it won’t be difficult to move it from the lab to sources of carbon dioxide gas such as coal, oil and natural gas fired power plants. Bacteria Engineered to Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel. ScienceDaily
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The headline should read “corn ethanol,” not biofuel- Despite the past, and continuing subsidies, ethanol made from corn produces little net energy and a lot of political conflict as it consumes a quarter of the country’s corn crop. Advanced biofuels might hold promise, especially those using bacteria to directly produce ethanol or other low carbon…
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Potent greenhouse gas (methane) from mega-feedlots could become fuel rather than fueling global warming- Idaho’s energy czar wants to harness power of manure. By The Associated Press Southern Idaho is full of vast stinky livestock feedlots (dairy and beef). Here is one way to amelioate the situation
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This should hardly be news, but many policy-makers still don’t realize this. Our wildlife, water, and economy will suffer unless this is understood better. Politics also plays a role as many corn producing states are up for grabs in the upcoming election. Many politicians will decide it is safer to cater to corn ethanol for…
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The latest Science Magazine shows that certain biofuels (especially corn-based) make climate change even worse. They do not help fix it. Story in New West. Corn Fuel = CO2 Emissions. By Richard Martin.