Ethanol

[Bob Wallace]

4. Ethanol...

If we can make it from plant wastes and from products not grown on land suitable for normal agriculture then it can play a helpful role.

We do need to make sure that by using those plant wastes we aren't stripping valuable organic materials from our fields.

We do have some plants such as switchgrass which grow well on land not usable for other crops. Switchgrass has low water and fertilizer inputs, fixes carbon underground with its extensive root system, and improves the soil on which it grows.

But the real way to get the US off of imported oil is to move personal transportation to EVs and PHEVs. At least 90% of us could do quite well with a 100 mile EV like the Nissan Leaf or a "unlimited range" PHEV like the Chevy Volt.

Let's say 30% of us move to EVs. 0.00 gallons per mile.

Another 60% of us move to PHEVs. Currently Volt drivers are purchasing about 10 gallons of gas per 1,000 miles driven. 0.01 gallons per mile.

The other 10% stay with average 25MPG cars. 0.04 gallons per mile.

Our US fleet gasoline use drops from 0.04 gallons per mile to 0.01 gallons per mile.

That's a 75% decrease in oil use. A number we can meet with domestic supply. That would save lives and money.


(Someone please check my math. Fueled by only one cup of coffee....)