Thanks. There are other views on ethanol, but I think they overlook a few issues... in my layman's perspective. Hey, I could be wrong, as I said I have an arts brain, and just sort of have a feel for what the various Executive Summaries say, not the equations and chemistry that got them there!
So for the other opinion, one classic ethanol optimist hippie dude who is quite likable in his own way, is David Blume.
Welcome to Alcohol Can Be A Gas! | Permaculture & Alcohol Can Be A Gas
Try this review of his book.
Alcohol can be a Gas ? initial impressions and comments Energy with-out Oil Weblog
Or listen to his 2 part podcasts (or watch the videos) here
Peak Moment: Alcohol Can Be a Gas, Part I | Global Public Media
and here
Peak Moment: Alcohol Can Be a Gas, Part II | Global Public Media
I have reservations. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. However, I love the guy's "systems thinking" for creating yet another food AND fuel system that applies a permaculture system to industrial processes. We really could live in an "industrial ecosystem" where waste from one product becomes input into the next product.
So if you are busy, here's what I recommend. RSS via Google Reader to global public media and always, always, always download every single audio podcast they EVER do. That way you'll stay ahead, learning up to date stuff while walking, doing the dishes, on the bus, whatever.
Then also use iTunes to subscribe to Scientific American.
And lastly, once a week click on Energy bulletin and click their renewables / ethanol section over on the left, where they have the latest news.
Energy Bulletin
I just thought I'd better be honest and include Blume, because I am aware of this claims but think they might be a bit unrealistic and not include proper ERoEI balance checks.
Anyway, bookmark this thread and if you find any definitive stuff on it let me know! I would LOVE my peak oil fears to just go away this easily!
