Ethanol Schmethanol

Although the title of this post would lead you to believe that I am only going to address Ethanol in my talk today - that is not the case. I want to provide a framework and some numbers for thinking about the environmental trade-offs associated with different ways of producing biofuels. In the end, however, its - ethanol schmethanol. I did a back of the envelope calculation for the cost of removing one ton of CO2 by subsidizing corn ethanol in the US and it is costing taxpayers about $500 per ton of mitigated emissions of CO2.

AUTISM RIBBON RUN 5K

This is me and Zach after the race yesterday. I finished 243rd out of almost 900. Not bad for an old man. More importantly I got to spend time with family and raise money for autism research. Obviously, its never too late to donate.


Tune in tomorrow for the premier of Ethanol Schmethanol.

Ethanol, schmethanol - The Economist, schmomonimist

I am heading back to Lexington, VA next week to speak at the COVES conference (Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability). I have been asked to speak about Ethanol and its potential environmental externalities. The tentative title for my talk was Ethanol, schmethanol, but I was concerned this would be a little cavalier of me - then it happened. I opened up the latest issue of the Economist this evening and sure enough an article on biofuels titled Ethanol, schmethanol. Well, I am still using the title - so there you have it - Economist, schmomonimist!! Stay tuned for a sneak peak at my presentation.

Updated Syllabus Again

Here is the latest version. Great conversation yesterday, not what we had planned, but sometimes the best laid plans...... Have a great Fall break.

Jim