Some interesting* data

[lioninwinter]

*depressing

Comments

[anricat]

"It helps the environment..."

Not true. The energy it takes to process this type of fuel negates any environmental impact. It's a wash.

Switchgrass and algae are better alternatives AND nobody eats them. Also, algae can be grown in a much smaller area, requiring less loss of land.

[lioninwinter]

Man, that's even depressing-er! It's like when McDonalds switched to paper packaging for their burgers, and the resulting deforestation negated the reduction in styrofoam.

Thanks for the heads-up. You've nudged me the rest of the way out McBiofuelLand.

[anricat]

Researching further, it looks like ethanol is not a complete wash, but it isn't great either.

This is a good summary: http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Ethanol_fuel_presents_a_cornundrum.html