Audacious Ethanol Hopes?

FactCheck by Emi Kolawole | Jun. 12, 2007 (Special Report)
The leading three Democratic presidential candidates wax optimistic about ethanol. We provide a reality check.

Gas prices have hit record highs this year as 2008 presidential candidates outline their hopes for renewable fuels. In this story, we take a look at the reality. We focus specifically on E85, a popular ethanol-gasoline fuel blend, and the top three Democratic candidates' statements about this fuel as they fight to win votes in Iowa. We find that there are many technological bridges left to be crossed before E85, or other renewable fuels, can fulfill the ... Full Story »

Posted by Mike LaBonte

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Dwight Rousu
3.5
 by Dwight Rousu - Oct. 1, 2008

The story is good in holding up candidate statements of fiction for review, and showing holes in the information and logic. A weakness in the story is that it did not cover other problems with ethanol. Fuel usage to grow corn, current use as an additive, food costs, water usage, erosion, carbon emissions, reduced production with global warming, etc. Alternatives were not mentioned. The huge effects of agribusiness political contributions upon the scientific inclinations of candidates in corn states was brushed over. See also Corn-Based Ethanol: Is This a Solution? here on NewsTrust.

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Dwight's Rating

Overall
3.5

Good
from 13 answers
Quality
3.7
Facts
4.0
Fairness
5.0
Information
4.0
Sourcing
3.0
Style
3.0
Accuracy
3.0
Balance
2.0
Context
4.0
Popularity
3.0
Recommendation
4.0
Credibility
4.0
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