Hi Lyle, What I am saying is that it is socially irresponsible to promote biofuels without at least an equal effort to promote a SIGNIFICANT reduction in consumption on the order of 1/5th the current amount, BY ALL OF US.
For example, Jet Air Travel. I am amazed at the number of so-called environmentalists that refuse to give up this particular bad habit. Here we have an industry subsidized with over 18 times the amount allowed for super efficient train travel. Average BTU consumed Per Passenger mile by mode of travel: SUV: 4,591 Air: 4,123 Bus: 3,729 Car: 3,672 Train: 2,138 Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics http://199.79.179.77/publications/nts/index.html Another example, folks insist on racing from red light to red light as fast as possible, and when on highways and freeways routinely speed 20 to 30 mph above posted speed limits. The cops have given up trying to enforce speed limits (a whole other rant) so the race is on. Now everyone knows the faster one goes the more fuel is consumed, yet bring up the idea of restoring the 55 MPH speed limit, and enforcing existing speed limits, and watch the so-called environmentalists scurry for cover like roaches when the lights come on. This one simple measure could reduce consumption, emmissions & reliance on imported oil 20% to 50%! Visit the Drive 55 Conservation website to read several reports and articles in support of this claim: http://drive55.org/pn/index.php So, all that said, and seeing as you "fundamentally agree" with my "conservation message" - what commitments are you prepared to make to reduce your personal consumption of energy? I refuse to fly in jet airplanes now. I plan better and stick to surface transportation. When I drive my 78 300D, I obey speed limits, rarely exceeding 55 MPH. By staying in the right lane I have found this very easy as that is the maximum for trucks here in California. Guess what, McDonalds BRAGS about sticking to 55 MPH with stickers on their trucks! I have replaced every light bulb in my home with 13 watt flourescents and installed dual pane windows among the ongoing efforts. I ride my bike whenever possible for most trips to the store, bank, and other errands. I even take it on the light rail when I go downtown. When I shop I pay close attention to the source of the products I buy, and always choose locally produced goods if possible. I share this message with everyone I meet, along with the information I have about cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and other types of biofuel as a PART of the equation. I will say this very plainly again now: It is socially irresponsible to promote biofuels without AT LEAST an equal effort made to promote conservation. The offense is compounded when someone claiming concern for the environment refuses to acknowledge this in their own life, and joins in the funding of petroleum warlords. Peace, Tim --- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, Lyle Estill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Tim, > > I fundamentally agree with your conservation message, and your mantra > of social responsibility and sustainability, > but I think questioning feedstock capacities at this point is a straw > argument. > > Saying we can't grow enough to meet our fuel needs is a little like > saying we shouldn't make electricity from wind--after all, the wind > doesn't always blow. > > Lyle Estill > V.P., Stuff > Piedmont Biofuels > www.biofuels.coop ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
