From O.C., a physicist

Your note leaves out a couple of interesting points from the NYT article that seem relevant. First, the estimate that for ethanol to replace an appreciable fraction of imported oil, most of the Midwest would have to be planted with corn; second, that E85 is only cheaper than fossil fuel thanks to direct subsidies (otherwise it would be appreciably more expensive than regular gas) – so if its use grew, either the subsidy would have to grow a lot (= higher taxes or deficit) or else the price would rise. Viewed from a pure consumer standpoint, maybe neither point is terribly relevant, but they both imply that E85 isn’t really “disruptive”, since in current form the economics won’t permit a large-scale shift.

From CB, a chemist

Evaluating E-85 is more complicated than you indicate.  The reason is that agricultural ethanol production is government subsidized and it may well consume more oil in its production than the gasoline fuel it replaces.  The senators and congressmen from ADM [the largest corn converter] do their best to obfuscate the issue and it's hard to know who supplies unbiased information on this highly charged subject.  I've been following it loosely through articles in C&E News over the years. 

......

Actually, your point was well made - that subject just sets me off.  I deeply trust the Bushies and their cozy relationship with companies in regulated markets.

On the radio, on the way home, I was listening about the French who are buying vegetable oil from supermarkets to mix with their diesel fuel.  It's much cheaper at this point.

I'm also appalled by the price gouging going on with natural gas - we should nationalize the bastards like Fidel did.

 

And a question from D.C.:

Very interesting Update – when you researched this did you find any iformation on using 100% ethanol?