2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumIn Iowa, Clinton backs ethanol as part of rural aid plan
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/26/in-iowa-clinton-backs-ethanol-as-part-of-rural-aid-plan/Hillary Rodham Clinton proposed banking and tax changes Wednesday that she said would encourage investment in agriculture and rural businesses, along with expanded federal assistance for farmers and ranchers.
With a backdrop of a gleaming John Deere tractor at an Iowa community college, Clinton presented a network of initiatives that would build on existing support programs for agriculture, rural development and education. Some elements of Clintons rural program, such as her proposals to make public college education more affordable, have been released previously.
The Democratic front-runners rural aid package contains an endorsement for ethanol, the corn-based fuel additive. Iowa is the worlds largest producer of ethanol, which is at the center of an environmental and resources debate about the expense and efficiency of growing corn for fuel instead of food.
A fact sheet provided by Clintons campaign ahead of her speech says she would strengthen the federal Renewable Fuel Standard to promote development of advanced biofuels and improve access to ethanol products called E15 and E85. The plan does not state how this would be done and does not address the food vs. fuel environmental debate, although it follows the section on biofuels with bullet points on Clintons clean energy program.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)She needs better consultants. This policy is straight out of the 80s
6chars
(3,967 posts)developing and using fuel that is carbon friendly, while at the same time helping our own economy.
But god forbid, apparently. The reflexive bashing of her is almost comical at this point.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Please look at my post #6 to get a small glimpse as to why I think it is a flawed policy.
I was addressing the policy, it is a bad one.
^snip^
70 Percent More Energy Required to Make Ethanol than Actually is in Ethanol: Cornell
"Abusing our precious croplands to grow corn for an energy-inefficient process that yields low-grade automobile fuel amounts to unsustainable, subsidized food burning," said the Cornell professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Pimentel, who chaired a U.S. Department of Energy panel that investigated the energetics, economics and environmental aspects of ethanol production several years ago, subsequently conducted a detailed analysis of the corn-to-car fuel process. His findings will be published next month in the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Physical Sciences and Technology.
* Adding up the energy costs of corn production and its conversion to ethanol, 131,000 Btu are needed to make 1 gallon of ethanol. One gallon of ethanol has an energy value of only 77,000 Btu. "Put another way," Pimentel said, "about 70 percent more energy is required to produce ethanol than the energy that actually is in ethanol. Every time you make 1 gallon of ethanol, there is a net energy loss of 54,000 Btu."
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)This is one issue where a good number of people all across the political spectrum can agree. Ethanol is a disaster. Here's a 2009 article on the topic: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/a2422/4237539/
The bottomline: "a huge hidden tax on consumers, with benefits flowing to the politically connected" That's what ethanol has always been about.
On a related note, what does the US do with much of that excess corn? It ships massive sums to other countries, which ruins livelihoods, forcing residents of those other countries to seek refuge elsewhere (migrants who are then attacked for doing what anyone else in their shoes would do). What enables the US to flood other countries with cheap, subsidized agricultural products? So-called "free" trade agreements such as NAFTA.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)and she supports more free trade!
I honestly do not understand why liberals support her.
Terrible candidate.
still_one
(92,454 posts)Last edited Wed Aug 26, 2015, 10:25 PM - Edit history (1)
gasoline, doesn't create better gas mileage and the 10% ethanol additive does nothing for the environment
If they want clean fuel, natural gas or electric
This is a pork barrel with the potential to create food prices
Vattel
(9,289 posts)still_one
(92,454 posts)Garrett78
(10,721 posts)For one thing, electric comes from burning coal.
Vattel
(9,289 posts)HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)Want to know what rural communities need?
Health clinics supported by -real- doctors--who typically refuse to serve in the "boonies". The use of nurse practioners interacting with live patients and on-line support from MDs is really a huge need.
Access to internet and information services
Support of education, which is hard for small populations to support.
Transportation for the elderly and poor.
Jobs...well, that ain't so special...
dsc
(52,169 posts)ETHANOL
Times reporter Ed Tibbetts pressed Sanders for a position on the Renewable Fuel Standard that includes incentives for Iowa ethanol production. I know this is important to Iowa. I dont have a definitive answer. Ive got to learn more. You will get an answer
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)How dare he not just make something up to placate a reporter. The Shame..The Shame Of It ALL!!!
Thoughtfulness and honesty are some of the things people like about him. I will bet that if this comes up in one of the debates you will get a definitive answer.
dsc
(52,169 posts)that is pretty much the defintion of that so evil evolving.
olddots
(10,237 posts)but could she hire some advisers that do their home work ?
Romulox
(25,960 posts)Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)You think she would have studied up on it.