Once-Darling Ethanol Losing Friends In High Places

theodp writes "It's now conceivable, says BusinessWeek's Ed Wallace, that the myth of ethanol as the salvation for America's energy problem is coming to an end. Curiously, the alternative fuel may be done in by an unlikely collection of foes. Fervidly pro-ethanol in the last decade of his political career, former VP Al Gore reversed course in late November and apologized for supporting ethanol, which apparently was more about ingratiating himself to farmers. A week later, Energy Secretary Steven Chu piled on, saying: 'The future of transportation fuels shouldn't involve ethanol.' And in December, a group of small-engine manufacturers, automakers, and boat manufacturers filed suit in the US Court of Appeals to vacate the EPA's October ruling that using a 15% blend of ethanol in fuel supplies would not harm 2007 and newer vehicles. Despite all of this, the newly-elected Congress has extended the 45 cent-per-gallon ethanol blending tax credit that was due to expire, a move that is expected to reduce revenue by $6.25 billion in 2011. 'The ethanol insanity,' longtime-critic Wallace laments, 'will continue until so many cars and motors are damaged by this fuel additive that the public outcry can no longer be ignored.'"

Comments

Re:Easy

[Maxo-Texas]

There is one only solution. It's getting the population back down below 3 billion.

And that's not going to happen prior to something really bad happening.

I'm guessing we have the disease problem basically beat, so the only thing I can see is war. A world war on top of brittle "just in time" delivery will probably kill billions very quickly.

I hope it's more than 30 years away.

Re:Who extended the tax credit?

[Doc Ruby]

No, you're clearly nothing but a troll, and have clearly been bitten by a stronger human.

I would mod you up if I had the points

[arcite]

In other news, the average life expectancy of Americans FELL this year.

-the middle class is disappearing - greater than 10% unemployment

- The USD is losing value

- America is increasingly uncompetitive on the world stage

-infrastructure is in desperate need of modernization

Not that this matters to most people, as they are too obese, entertained, and in debt to notice.

....and what has Obama done about any of this? He extended tax cuts to the richest 2% and pushed the football a little farther down the line. Given all of this, perhaps it makes sense to continue subsidizing a fuel additive that actually damages engines, more fuel for the fire.

Re:Who extended the tax credit?

[Doc Ruby]

"Hot SF babe"? And that's just the least of your blather.

You're a troll, who has hooked no one. Your face knocked our fists around a little, but now your feeble attempts to say something relevant are easily and deservedly ignored. Enjoy your lonely troll hole.