AutoWeek reports that in an attempt to silence ethanol critics the Department of Energy (DOE) points to a study that it takes 740,000 British thermal units (BTU) of fossil energy to make and deliver 1,000,000 BTUs of cornstarch ethanol.
Critics, however, remain steadfast in their stance. Tad Patzek, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, says, "Every argument they make is bogus," and that even if the administration's optimistic assumptions are granted, ethanol at best breaks even.
The DOE's response to those critics so far has been that they don't account for the improving efficiency of ethanol plants or other benefits and adds that the results from cellulosic ethanol will look even better....
Critics, however, remain steadfast in their stance. Tad Patzek, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, says, "Every argument they make is bogus," and that even if the administration's optimistic assumptions are granted, ethanol at best breaks even.
The DOE's response to those critics so far has been that they don't account for the improving efficiency of ethanol plants or other benefits and adds that the results from cellulosic ethanol will look even better....
