The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #91008   Message #1731317
Posted By: Chief Chaos
01-May-06 - 01:01 PM
Thread Name: BS: DRILL ANWR now!!!!
Subject: RE: BS: DRILL ANWR now!!!!
The real answer in the short term is ethanol (up to 85% mix). It answers a lot of problems. Farmers will no longer be losing their farms. We could put an end to big tobacco by encouraging them to grow high oil yield plants or corn. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, can make a still. It would bring an end to sugar subsidies as well. Add to this that all of the new "green growth" would suck CO2 out of the air.
Just think of the new "Victory Gardens", everyone doing their part to save us from foreign (and domestic) oil. The only drawback is somewhat lesser mileage and possible rust in the exhaust system (which could be ceramic lined).

We already have the infrastructure to collect, transport and dispense. Hydrogen is still years off and requires power to make.

I think batteries are a decent way to go as well. No really decent range but I'll go out on a limb and speculate that most of us don't drive more than 90 miles one way. 1st make the vehicles attractive instead of the ugly ass things we've seen. 2nd come out with an interchangeable pack for quick changes. 3rd use solarpanels for the outer body to charge the pack (park them under streetlights for free recharge at night). The waste product (if lead-acid) can either be recycled or used to help shield the Yucca flats storage facility.

By the way, their is no guarantee whatsoever that any oil from ANWR would be sold to the U.S. It will be sold to the highest bidder so it would only help by putting more oil on the market (minimal) which would be countered by OPEC reducing output.

It ain't supply and demand when you control the supply. Shrinking competition by merger tightens the grip!