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The case for biofuels in our energy mix

The Financial Post -- Fossil fuels are an integral part of the global economy, and will be for many years. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to introduce alternatives into Canada’s energy mix or explore new, innovative fuel sources. One of the greatest hurdles we have to overcome isn’t technological or structural — it’s debunking myths and misperceptions about renewable fuels that prevent us as a society from seeing the benefits clearly.



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Submitted Feb 04, 2012 By: Gronski1
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REPLIES (newest first)
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anascom
All-Star Author Hamilton

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:42:24 PM

"no food for fuel" as danindenver said!
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RNCII
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:47:25 AM

johnnyg1200 You got that right.
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johnnyg1200
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:26:16 PM

Here are some inconvenient truths about biofuels. First you have to grow or collect the raw material. Then you have to process it into a usable fuel. All of this takes energy. Contrary to what some would like believe you can’t just put grain or wood chips into your engine. Not even waste vegetable oil can go straight into the engine. Then after you get it into a usable form you have to make it suitable for the type environment it will be used in even 5% biofuel / diesel mix can cloud at about 25F degrees. Then after that the issue is that biofuel doesn’t have the same BTU’s as petroleum. So you have to use more of it to get the same work done. If that isn’t bad enough it cost more per gallon. So in the end you have to pay more for a fuel that will do less work and is harder to use.
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ktbaeohana
Champion Author Las Vegas

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 4:36:18 PM

It make sense never give up, there always other ways we can develop or research and make it better.
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hoosierva
All-Star Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 1:56:17 PM

if bio fuels means we burn food, no myth makes that more palatable. People will go hungry due to the greed and less available food or high cost of food. Both scenarios are not good husbandry.
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fowlcan
All-Star Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:22:18 AM

kx250 hit the mark...... $$$%
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kx250
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:02:33 AM

when they are cost competitive, they will take off, not before.
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GT3186
Champion Author Salem

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:52:04 AM

Not that this Tim Haig has any pony in the race (he is the chairman of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association).

Don't you just love it when progressives use the word "investment" when they talk about spending money confiscated from private citizens through the tax system.
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danindenver
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:20:37 AM

no food for fuel
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shawnpv
Rookie Author Texas

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:19:32 AM

The whole article wreaks of influence for the President. No mention of the lower gas mileage of the fuel now, the influence of high crop prices on poorer nations, the damage on smaller motors from ethanol, etc. The govt should allow non-ethanol fuel to compete with ethanol-mixed fuels...give the people the choice.
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mandoid
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:57:05 AM

no food for fuel
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fuel2use
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:50:24 AM

No food for fuel.
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Edpap
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:36:57 AM

I agree, no food crops should be used!...look at all the problems created by Ethanol!

I think they should concentrate their efforts on garbage and other waste products from industry.
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batloverNM
Champion Author Albuquerque

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:18:10 AM

The only biofuel that makes sense is what you can make out of algae. No food crops should be made into biofuels!!!
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carnifolks
Veteran Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:44:00 AM

I think we all know ethanol its not the answer but we should take a closer look at algae
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mossimo36
All-Star Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:25:26 AM

Yes, develop alternatives. Oil will eventually become so expensive that we will not have a choice. Wouldn't it be better to have already explored alternatives rather than waiting until its too late?
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reb4
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:11:07 AM

nice article, you would think maybe it was fair and balanced...

NO!!!!!
About the author!

Tim Haig is the Interim president and chairman of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

so it's really about promoting the industry he is paid to promote!!!!
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bar1035
Champion Author Charlotte

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:09:37 AM

another very good view you can look up is "the biofuel grind" with real data on hard it is
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uglytom
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:09:27 AM

Continue developing alternatives.
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molebaby96
All-Star Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:39:46 AM

You have to keep exploring new alternatives but as to using ethanol it must be used in the right application i.e. warmer climates only. There is no magic bullet.
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Evilmaddog
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:49:18 AM

ethanol lowers gas mileage, which costs more to travel same distance,and your burning more fuel ,and causes more pollution ..... another great idea from politicians
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humblepie
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:38:54 AM

more solyndra's comming our way i guess
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