Three things.

First, I am a Farmer's son, and I would be all for it....if it is what they say. They talk about how much farmers will make, I have NOT seen any proof of this, even in the farmers owned coops you spoke of.

Second, I am all for spending the money to help build this up and quit our reliance on foreign oil....except that we only import because we don't want to use our own! There is plenty of oil in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, and a fair number of other states, as well as friendlier nations such as the former USSR. We only import because we have national contracts as far back as the Carter era.

Third, the EPA's science is more like science fiction. The line of work I am currently in deals closely with EPA regulations, and their regulations (and studies) are build mostly on conjecture and assumptions. However, I took the 30 seconds and found this on the internet. It states that Cummins will not certify their engines if you use Biofuels!

http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/O...EM_cummins.pdf

 

Who is "they"???? I dont think I've ever heard anyone claim that a switch to Bio will make farmers rich, just that it will increase demand for teh oil-crops, which will be good for our economy, therefore good for teh farmers/producers of those crops.......as a farm kid that should make perfect sense...

An Excerpt from teh Cummins Inc. website about tehir warranty and Biodiesel...
Warranty and the use of Biodiesel Fuel in Cummins Engines
Cummins neither approves or disapproves of the use of biodiesel fuel. Cummins is not in a position to evaluate the many variations of biodiesel fuels or other additives, and their long-term effects on performance, durability or emissions compliance of Cummins products. The use of biodiesel fuel does not affect Cummins Material and Workmanship warranty. Failures caused by the use of biodiesel fuels or other fuel additives are NOT defects of workmanship and/or material as supplied by Cummins Inc. and CANNOT be compensated under the Cummins' warranty.

Same as any other fuel caused issue........

 

"They" are all these supposed experts who talk about how good it will be for farmers. Like I said, I am all for it, if it brings the money back to the farmers. In short "show me the money"......

Also, Cummins will warrenty their engine if it blows up using regular fuel, but will not if you are using Biodiesel. Their stance about "we can neither confirm nor deny how biodiesel will affect our engines" (not a direct quote, more tounge in cheek if you can understand) is the quote from some lawyer or Public affairs guy.

The short and sweet. Show me where it will help people and the environment, and I am all for it....

 

Do you think that farmers would cooperatively be building BD plants if they were going to lose money on them?
Of course it's a risk if crude prices ever drop back down below $25/barrel, which is highly unlikely.
Most folks don't realise that the vast majority of soy is grown for animal feed meal. Cows can't digest soy oil so it's removed and has been a very low priced, oversupplied commodity before the rise of biodiesel. The country can only consume a fraction of of the soy oil produced in salad dressing and mayonnaise.
I work in the BD industry, our economists say that the most important aspect in locating a BD plant is a place to sell the left over meal. The fuel should be considered a byproduct if the plant is to be economically viable.
Conversion to BD is what is called in the Ag industry as a value added product.
You are seeing value added products popping up all over nowadays with many various crops as farm profit margins get tighter and tighter.

 

Rick, either one of two things, ya like arguing, and will disagree with anything posted, or you have made up your mind that your right and everyone else is either lieing or wrong.
Dont matter to me, your entitled to your opinion, but I think I am tired already of arguing the point.
I've been alive long enough not to be niave,actually think of myself as a bit of a skeptic but I tend to beleive what experts in their feild state and can back up with research and figures... but maybe you learned more on the farm there...whatever, this is old already


Take care, i'm out'a here......

 

Here is an update on the bio project around Cortez.

 

Im useing bio because Im trying to do my part in reducing the dependance on forgein oil. plus I like the smell