Oh, and internal combustion engines have become quite good in in maximizing their combustion efficiencies. However, regardless of the hydrocarbon or alcohol one is subjecting to combustion, be it octane or ethanol, the products will be the same. For complete combustion, the products are water and carbon dioxide. So, carbon emissions will still exist with EtOH fuels.

As with most energy issues, the tradeoffs must be usually be weighed.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

For sure, if the emissions from thier use are consistent. I guess the real question to weigh is the pollution from agriculture versus the pollution created by oil production. Being an Alaskan I have seen first hand what oil spills do to the enviroment. I would much rather have some agriculture pollution than to ever see what happen in 1989. But that is for another thread.

Yes, oil spills are disasterous and have long-lasting effects on the environment.

Nitrogen runoff does, too. It's a hard call in that respect.

However, EtOH, in combination with the nitrogen runoff, irrigation, greenhouse gas emissions during combustion, and water-use-in-purification problems, it seems to me that we should ditch EtOH and move to increase investments in more attractive alternative energy sources. If we can't get around more efficient greenhouse gas emmissions, then we should be looking to improve fuel efficiency comparable to oil.

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Fair enough, for me this is such a catch-22. Oil in Alaska has generated considerable wealth in this state. Alaskans enjoy no income or sales tax. Alaskans get a dividend annually.

I pay $5 at the pump. I care about the enviroment. Big oil companies have made Alaska rich, but I despise them. Especially Exxon.