Minnesota bio-researcher calls for many alternative-fuel solutions
No state pushes ethanol harder than Minnesota with its incentives and regulations. Now the alternative fuel's limits are being recognized by the state's academic community. Dr. Robert Elde is dean of the College of Biological Sciences at the University Minnesota. He wrote an opinion piece for Sunday's St. Paul Pioneer Press and agrees with findings that show America can't grow enough corn and soybeans to meet both food and fuel requirements for the nation. He calls for an intense program to find the next generation of biofuels. Some of these efforts include converting woody mass into ethanol, using bacteria to generate electricity and producing hydrogen from swine manure. Dr. Elde also stresses that the alternative fuel community should consider many solutions. In other words, don't look for the silver bullet, but promote silver buckshot.[Source: Dr. Robert Elde / St. Paul Pioneer Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bob from ALAMN 11:38AM (1/24/2007)
"As the shortcomings of corn ethanol become clearer, U of M searches for 'silver buckshot"
Gotta love those headline writers at the PiPress. The ob/ed point out the celulosic ethanol is much more expensive than corn ethanol, is not produced commercially anywhere in the United States, and in the end, is chemically identical to the ethanol made from corn, sugar or other sources right now.
Yes, that nasty old corn ethanol certainly has its "shortcomings," doesn't it?
Seriously, we know the pros and cons on corn ethanol, and the bright promise of celulosic ethanol and other alternative fuels. We need to transition to ethanol from grasses and other sources other than corn -- everyone recognizes this. However, some don't realize that if we don't build the market and infrastructure for cleaner burning fuels like E85 now, using the corn-based ethanol available, celulosic ethanol is dead on arrival.
What's the point of having a new fuel if most cars can't use it, and most station's don't carry it? We are working hard to overcome these problems NOW, so when -- or if -- celulosic ethanol IS a viable fuel, the market will be ready for it.
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