The Energy Crises

I just finished reading a full page article by Renee Schoof and Kevin G. Hall entitled “Understanding ethanol” printed in my local newspaper. It was distributed by McClatchy-Tribune but is not on line. The article answered such questions as What are biofuels? and What is ethanol?. Unfortunately the question Does using ethanol help the environment?, How long before ethanol becomes widely available? and others are vaguely answered leaving the reader wondering if these solutions will work.

I tried researching the issue on the internet and was disappointed in the results. I still do not know the cost to produce this gasoline alternative. The costs are clearly more than just the cost building the factories for processing and the costs of transportation. The impact on the food supply could negate any benefits. The web sites provided in the newspaper article were all posted by companies and organizations that are promoting ethanol including one that posted an article of concern about “Big Food’s campaign against ethanol.” www.ethanolrfa.org , www.iogen.ca and www.ncga.com/ethanol/main/index.asp .

zfacts.com has an array of facts that I cannot verify including this item "Ethanol Today," (8/'05) states "Five years ago, a US General Accounting Office report showed that ethanol had received $11.6 billion in tax incentives since 1968, while the oil industry had received over $150 billion in tax benefit over the same period.

Recent statements from presidential candidates and other politicians provide little or no leadership। There is a lack of information on the internet. This nation is in real trouble and no one knows the answers. Even worse, no one is prepared for the changes we face.

I have established a link to gas prices in California through gasbuddy.com to tell us how serious this problem is but you all knew that.