Good news on the environmental front
From
The Washington Post:
EU considers limiting percentage of biofuels made from food that count toward renewable target
Europe is considering limiting the amount of food-based biofuels that can count toward its renewable fuel targets while a drought in the U.S. has pushed up food prices worldwide and millions around the world go hungry.
As part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Union had previously decided that 10 percent of the fuel used for transport in the 27-country bloc must come from renewable sources by 2020.
But environmentalists argue that biofuels made from food, like corn and soybeans, may add as much or even more to greenhouse gas emissions as fossil fuels they replace because trees are often felled to grow them. Others have criticized the burning of food while there are still millions who can�t afford to eat.
In response, the European Commission, the EU�s executive arm, proposed Wednesday that food-based fuels only be allowed to contribute to half of the 10 percent target. The rest should come from more advanced biofuels that don�t take up valuable farming land � like algae or waste.
One half of a great plan -- only problem is that by continuing the mandate and shifting to algae or waste is only going to drive up energy prices even more. Corn ethanol is low hanging fruit -- easy to make and cheap. If the USA becomes energy independent, this will drive down the global fuel costs. This will allow the EU to start developing Thorium reactors.
Posted by DaveH at October 18, 2012 5:37 PM