Ethanol a threat to the environment?
Posted by Moonage on 15 Jun 2005 | Tagged as: Legislative Process
The Senate is trying to pass the Energy Act. It has a LOT of new incentives and agendas that will greatly impact how the US addresses it’s energy issues. I’m a huge fan of it from what I’ve seen. At this time it is being delayed by numerous attempts to amend it. Here’s an example of one of the amendments:
Anyone see the problem with this? I mean, how else would you treat ethanol? Is there some special loophole that says that ethanol is not a "motor vehicle fuel"? Is there something I missed that asserts that ethanol is more dangerous to the environment than petroleum products? I mean, what is the point of this? Someone can help me out and I’ll be appreciative. I just don’t get this.
Apparently most of the Senate didn’t get it either. It was tabled with support from the Democrat Party.
Stuff like this just makes me wonder if the Dems have ditched the "obstructionist" tactics that haven’t worked for the less obvious "delay" tactics of constant useless, meaningless amendments? Ask Barbara Boxer. That IMO would be the only thing that explains that amendment.
4 Comments »
on 15 Jun 2005 at 12:13 pm 1.Bryan Kerwick
said …
Who the hell knows what these people are thinking. The only logical reason is that alternative fuels are taxed at a much lower rate. If that is the problem, just have the stones to tell the Anerican Electorate that you want the higher tax rate to help fund your insane spending habbits. Otherwise shut up and get a life.
I still think Hydrogen Fuel is the answer to our problems due to it’s abundance and clean burning properties. What say you?
on 15 Jun 2005 at 1:01 pm 2.Moonage
said …
I say as I said, this Energy Act is damn near perfect for what we need now. And, it didn’t omit hydrogen at all. In fact, it’s a major component:
H.R.6
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)
SEC. 651. HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PROGRAMS.
(a) Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Cogeneration Project-
(1) PROJECT ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary is directed to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Cogeneration Project.
(2) PROJECT DEFINITION- The project shall consist of the research, development, design, construction, and operation of a hydrogen production cogeneration research facility that, relative to the current commercial reactors, enhances safety features, reduces waste production, enhances thermal efficiencies, increases proliferation resistance, and has the potential for improved economics and physical security in reactor siting. This facility shall be constructed so as to enable research and development on advanced reactors of the type selected and on alternative approaches for reactor-based production of hydrogen.
and,
SEC. 802. PLAN.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a coordinated plan for the programs described in this title and any other programs of the Department that are directly related to fuel cells or hydrogen. The plan shall describe, at a minimum–
(1) the agenda for the next 5 years for the programs authorized under this title, including the agenda for each activity enumerated in section 803(a);
(2) the types of entities that will carry out the activities under this title and what role each entity is expected to play;
(3) the milestones that will be used to evaluate the programs for the next 5 years;
(4) the most significant technical and nontechnical hurdles that stand in the way of achieving the goals described in section 803(b), and how the programs will address those hurdles; and
(5) the policy assumptions that are implicit in the plan, including any assumptions that would affect the sources of hydrogen or the marketability of hydrogen-related products.
SEC. 803. PROGRAMS.
(a) Activities- The Secretary, in partnership with the private sector, shall conduct programs to address–
(1) production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources, including–
(A) fossil fuels, which may include carbon capture and sequestration;
(B) hydrogen-carrier fuels (including ethanol and methanol);
(C) renewable energy resources, including biomass; and
(D) nuclear energy;
(2) use of hydrogen for commercial, industrial, and residential electric power generation;
(3) safe delivery of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels, including–
(A) transmission by pipeline and other distribution methods; and
(B) convenient and economic refueling of vehicles either at central refueling stations or through distributed on-site generation;
(4) advanced vehicle technologies, including–
(A) engine and emission control systems;
(B) energy storage, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems;
(C) automotive materials; and
(D) other advanced vehicle technologies;
(5) storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels, including development of materials for safe and economic storage in gaseous, liquid, or solid form at refueling facilities and onboard vehicles;
(6) development of safe, durable, affordable, and efficient fuel cells, including fuel-flexible fuel cell power systems, improved manufacturing processes, high-temperature membranes, cost-effective fuel processing for natural gas, fuel cell stack and system reliability, low temperature operation, and cold start capability;
(7) development, after consultation with the private sector, of necessary codes and standards (including international codes and standards and voluntary consensus standards adopted in accordance with OMB Circular A-119) and safety practices for the production, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen, hydrogen-carrier fuels, and related products;
(8) a public education program to develop improved knowledge and acceptability of hydrogen-based systems; and
(9) the ability of domestic automobile manufacturers to manufacture commercially available competitive hybrid vehicle technologies in the United States.
(b) Program Goals-
(1) VEHICLES- For vehicles, the goals of the program are–
(A) to enable a commitment by automakers no later than year 2015 to offer safe, affordable, and technically viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the mass consumer market; and
(B) to enable production, delivery, and acceptance by consumers of model year 2020 hydrogen fuel cell and other hydrogen-powered vehicles that will have–
(i) a range of at least 300 miles;
(ii) improved performance and ease of driving;
(iii) safety and performance comparable to vehicle technologies in the market; and
(iv) when compared to light duty vehicles in model year 2003–
(I) fuel economy that is substantially higher;
(II) substantially lower emissions of air pollutants; and
(III) equivalent or improved vehicle fuel system crash integrity and occupant protection.
(2) HYDROGEN ENERGY AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE- For hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure, the goals of the program are to enable a commitment not later than 2015 that will lead to infrastructure by 2020 that will provide–
(A) safe and convenient refueling;
(B) improved overall efficiency;
(C) widespread availability of hydrogen from domestic energy sources through–
(i) production, with consideration of emissions levels;
(ii) delivery, including transmission by pipeline and other distribution methods for hydrogen; and
(iii) storage, including storage in surface transportation vehicles;
(D) hydrogen for fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and other energy conversion devices for portable, stationary, and transportation applications; and
(E) other technologies consistent with the Department’s plan.
(3) FUEL CELLS- The goals for fuel cells and their portable, stationary, and transportation applications are to enable–
(A) safe, economical, and environmentally sound hydrogen fuel cells;
(B) fuel cells for light duty and other vehicles; and
(C) other technologies consistent with the Department’s plan.
(c) Demonstration- In carrying out the programs under this section, the Secretary shall fund a limited number of demonstration projects, consistent with a determination of the maturity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impacts of technologies supporting each project. In selecting projects under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable and in the public interest, select projects that–
(1) involve using hydrogen and related products at existing facilities or installations, such as existing office buildings, military bases, vehicle fleet centers, transit bus authorities, or units of the National Park System;
(2) depend on reliable power from hydrogen to carry out essential activities;
(3) lead to the replication of hydrogen technologies and draw such technologies into the marketplace;
(4) include vehicle, portable, and stationary demonstrations of fuel cell and hydrogen-based energy technologies;
(5) address the interdependency of demand for hydrogen fuel cell applications and hydrogen fuel infrastructure;
(6) raise awareness of hydrogen technology among the public;
(7) facilitate identification of an optimum technology among competing alternatives;
(8) address distributed generation using renewable sources; and
(9) address applications specific to rural or remote locations, including isolated villages and islands, the National Park System, and tribal entities.
The Secretary shall give preference to projects which address multiple elements contained in paragraphs (1) through (9).
(d) Deployment- In carrying out the programs under this section, the Secretary shall, in partnership with the private sector, conduct activities to facilitate the deployment of hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure, fuel cells, and advanced vehicle technologies.
(e) Funding-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out the programs under this section using a competitive, merit-based review process and consistent with the generally applicable Federal laws and regulations governing awards of financial assistance, contracts, or other agreements.
(2) RESEARCH CENTERS- Activities under this section may be carried out by funding nationally recognized university-based or Federal laboratory research centers.
(f) Cost Sharing-
(1) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT- Except as otherwise provided in this title, for research and development programs carried out under this title the Secretary shall require a commitment from non-Federal sources of at least 20 percent of the cost of the project. The Secretary may reduce or eliminate the non-Federal requirement under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that the research and development is of a basic or fundamental nature or involves technical analyses or educational activities.
(2) DEMONSTRATION AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION- Except as otherwise provided in this title, the Secretary shall require at least 50 percent of the costs directly and specifically related to any demonstration or commercial application project under this title to be provided from non-Federal sources. The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal requirement under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that the reduction is necessary and appropriate considering the technological risks involved in the project and is necessary to meet the objectives of this title.
(3) CALCULATION OF AMOUNT- In calculating the amount of the non-Federal commitment under paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary may include personnel, services, equipment, and other resources.
(4) SIZE OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The Secretary may consider the size of the non-Federal share in selecting projects.
(g) Disclosure- Section 623 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13293) relating to the protection of information shall apply to projects carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts under this title.
on 16 Jun 2005 at 9:28 pm 3.Bryan Kerwick
said …
I stand sooooooooooo! corrected. Thank you for the vital information. I should spend more time researching my argument than removing my foot from my rather large mouth.
By the way, I still don’t get their argument. I suspect they don’t either.
A further analysis of the NAY sayers shows just how shallow these people really are. Their constituants have the most to loose by not solving this serious problem.
on 12 Oct 2007 at 8:57 am 4.Moonage Political Webdream » Blog Archive » Al Gore gets a Nobel said …
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