2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Ethanol does not contain as many BTUs of energy per gallon. So blends, which currently are either 10% or 85% provide less mileage per the same measure (a gallon)
The energy of ethanol relative to gasoline
A. 76,000 = BTU of energy in a gallon of ethanol
B. 116,090 = BTU of energy in a gallon of gasoline
URL link to general information on ethanol:
http://zfacts.com/p/60.html
On the subsidies:
As taken from http://zfacts.com/p/63.html :
Where did those subsidies come from:
1. 51¢ per gallon federal blenders credit for $2.5 billion = your tax dollars.
2. $0.9 billion in corn subsidies for ethanol corn = your tax dollars.
3. $3.6 billion extra paid at the pump.
If the rip off of the citizens is not bad enough consider the consequences of the subsidizing of the corn crop. This subsidy promotes a rush to grow more corn meaning more farm chemicals, or rather over use. This has brought about polluting of ground water / run off to rivers and contribution to a vast "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.ewg.org/node/25937
It is easy to see why you consider ethanol blends a good deal. Government promotes it, the corporation media promotes it, and corporations promote it. Sadly it is just another lie. So your comment, " ... seems like a pretty good deal." Really is only true for corporations (ADMs and Cargills, etc.) Yes the farms are 'helped' somewhat, but to what extent is the destruction of the environment justified. Especially when the product, 'ethanol', is really not a great product.
posted by 12.47.11...
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