Environment & Energy

NickB79

(20,345 posts)

12. Grass-based ethanol is the cellulosic method I mentioned

Mon Dec 10, 2012, 07:21 PM

Dec 2012

The problem with cellulosic ethanol is that it basically stripmines the land of biomass to convert to fuel. This biomass, however, is vital for maintaining soil fertility as organic matter. Ask any gardener how valuable good compost is to their soil's ability to grow plants.

Without long fallow periods with green manure crops, or massively increased application rates of synthetic fertilizers, it is not sustainable to grow grasses for fuel.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

13 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can flex-fuel cars put US on the road to low oil prices? [View all] xchrom Dec 2012 OP

And at $50 a barrell dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #1

Doubtful. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #3

My sister says she pays 25� less per gallon. CrispyQ Dec 2012 #2

Does oil really need to be cheaper? tinrobot Dec 2012 #4

+1 wtmusic Dec 2012 #9

ethanol is no longer an option if the weather continues across the grainbelt madrchsod Dec 2012 #5

Bad idea in every way. Starboard Tack Dec 2012 #6

Exactly right. (n/t) Nihil Dec 2012 #13

Oil refineries have been increasing their use of natural gas, gas liquids, and electricity. hunter Dec 2012 #7

Cutting US demand by 50% would cut oil prices to $50/barrel. Um, no. NickB79 Dec 2012 #8

The problem with ethanol is corn LTR Dec 2012 #11

Grass-based ethanol is the cellulosic method I mentioned NickB79 Dec 2012 #12

He wants to make methanol from coal?? wtmusic Dec 2012 #10