Los Angeles: 3 million gal./year ethanol plant fueled by wood/paper waste

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

And claiming that Ethanol has saved us 50 cents on a gallon of gas is also misleading. Does that take into account the reduction in fuel economy caused by ethanol blends? I highly doubt it. And seeing as how a large percent of the US has little to no access to ethanol blends, I can hardly believe 50 cents a gallon of savings. That's 12% at $4.00 gas. A bit of a stretch in my opinion.

Your "opinion" is irrelevant. What matters are the facts:

Today, the United States produces approximately 8.5 billion gallons of ethanol, which is blended in more than 50 percent of all U.S. gasoline. This significant, nationwide use of ethanol not only serves to extend our nation’s gasoline supply, but also plays a significant role in keeping gasoline prices from skyrocketing even higher. Francisco Blanch, a Merrill Lynch analyst, estimated that the use of renewable biofuels keeps gasoline prices 15 percent below what they might be. Iowa State University recently confirmed Mr. Blanch’s estimations with a study that showed ethanol has reduced gasoline prices from 29 to 40 cents per gallon. This is a meaningful savings, which is ignored or discounted by those who criticize ethanol.

Beyond this, ethanol plays a key role in reducing our reliance on foreign sources of fuel. Today, the United States imports about 12 percent (16.9 billion gallons) of the total refined gasoline consumed nationwide. When all ethanol facilities currently under construction are completed, the United States will have approximately 13 billion gallons of ethanol capacity. This will displace 77 percent of the total amount of gasoline imported into the United States each year.

source

You are free to buy OPEC oil and burn it as you drive to Walmart to buy Chinese electronics. If that is what makes America great in your mind, enjoy your freedom.

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

Great. Now particle board/MDF/engineered lumber/paper prices will be going up.

Naw, there's tons of wood waste from fabrication, demolition, heck, even garden waste that's not suitable for engineered woods. And the quantity of paper that get tossed out? Massive. Great use for it.

And remember: the US produces boatloads of wood, and we could produce way more if we were so inclined. And that's import substitution, and that's economic growth.

[RSW]

Originally Posted by AMcA

Naw, there's tons of wood waste from fabrication, demolition, heck, even garden waste that's not suitable for engineered woods. And the quantity of paper that get tossed out? Massive. Great use for it.

And remember: the US produces boatloads of wood, and we could produce way more if we were so inclined. And that's import substitution, and that's economic growth.

Some costs may go up slightly, I would think. For example, separation of construction waste (so that it is suitable for recycling) incrementally increases construction cost...but it is small potatoes and truthfully it is something that should be done anyway, and something the industry is in fact moving toward for a variety of reasons.

[johnstarnes]

I am glad this is cellulosic ethanol vs. that derived from food crops or or other cultivated crops like sugar cane etc. with high water and nutrient needs.

[JBsZ06]

Great news.

Every state needs to do this.