Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

[Jam]

http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr-new...r-year-by-2022

President Barack Obama wants the US to produce 36 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels per year by 2022.
[...]
The EPA says that meeting this 2022 standard would reduce oil use by 328 billion barrels a year.

[gnk]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

Biofuels are a joke. Biofuels compete with food production - they are both agricultural endeavors - land and water intensive.

So, in order to keep driving our SUVs, we'll be paying $10.00 for a can of beans? Yeah, I'm exaggerating, but keep in mind, if you're a farmer and its more economical to grow food for fuel - what would you do?

And then there is the issue of EROEI. Agriculture needs a lot of fossil fuel - plowing, planting, petrochemicals, transporting, and then processing all involve using natural gas, petroleum, and coal. I've read that we use 10 calories of fossil fuel to produce one calorie of food.

[don]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr-new...r-year-by-2022

He must be using Morgan Stanley math. Show a loss- take 62 cents on the dollar in bonuses. (But I know the Prez means well :rolleyes: )

[Retired Commish]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

Perhaps some answers will be forthcoming soon from the BLS, who are quite good with numbers and statistics!

[we_are_toast]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

It's a misprint. It should be 328 Million.

The White House said increasing renewable fuels “will reduce dependence on oil by more than 328 million barrels a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons a year when fully phased in by 2022.”

http://deltafarmpress.com/biofuels/r...le-fuels-0204/

[Jam]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

It's a misprint. It should be 328 Million.

http://deltafarmpress.com/biofuels/r...le-fuels-0204/

That makes more sense--thanks Toast.
And, clearly, I am not immune from such mistakes either (should have been '328 billion' in the thread title).

Given the level of consumption (20 million barrels a day), it would cover only just over two weeks though.:eek:

[thriftyandboringinohio]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

That makes more sense--thanks Toast.
And, clearly, I am not immune from such mistakes either (should have been '328 billion' in the thread title).

Given the level of consumption (20 million barrels a day), it would cover only just over two weeks though.:eek:

Even though biofuels don't make much sense for lowering air pollution or reducing cost, they have one good aspect. It gives us a stick to poke in the eye of middle east oil cartels. Taking away ten percent of sales to the US would be noticed.;)

[GRG55]

Re: Can someone explain how 36 billion galons of biofuel can save 328 barrels of oil?

Even though biofuels don't make much sense for lowering air pollution or reducing cost, they have one good aspect. It gives us a stick to poke in the eye of middle east oil cartels. Taking away ten percent of sales to the US would be noticed.;)

Not so interested in poking sticks in people's eyes, but the above point is very important. Oil, like all commodities, is - over the long cycle - priced at the margin. So it isn't necessary to displace all, or even most, imported oil to have a major influence over the price dynamic...