Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2008
By SCOTT STREATER
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The fuel additive ethanol has been blamed lately for ills such as escalating food prices, global warming and the widening dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
But don’t tell that to General Motors Corp., which is pushing forward with its plan for half its new-car fleet to run on a high ethanol-blended fuel. Company representatives, in town Thursday to promote the grand opening of a new ethanol fuel station at the Classic Chevrolet/Hummer dealership in Grapevine, said ethanol’s benefits far outweigh any negative impacts.
“We did our own investigation. There is no way we could market a socially irresponsible product,” said Mary Beth Stanek, GM’s director of energy and environment.
Stanek and Alan Adler, GM’s manager of biofuels communications, spoke with the Star-Telegram’s editorial board Thursday.
The growing use of corn-based ethanol has been criticized recently because some studies suggest that it could result in nearly twice the greenhouse-gas emissions as the gasoline it would replace.
But Stanek noted that researchers are developing procedures to use agricultural waste and switch grass, in place of corn, in gasoline blends. Royal Dutch Shell this week announced that it is working to find ways to produce gasoline directly from plant sugars and could have a demonstration plant in place within two years.
Charles Martin, general manager of the Classic Chevrolet/Hummer dealership, said he hopes that his fuel station makes it easier for motorists to use high-blend ethanol fuels.
“This was the right thing for us to do for our customers, and it’s good for the Metroplex,” he said.
AN ETHANOL PRIMER
What is it?
A form of alcohol derived from plants. In the U.S., most ethanol comes from corn. Most gasoline contains 10 percent ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles can run blends containing up to 85 percent ethanol. About 6 million vehicles nationwide are capable of operating on either regular gasoline or a high-ethanol-blend fuel.
Why burn a high-ethanol fuel?
An internal combustion engine runs cleaner and produces less air pollution. Advocates also say ethanol is a renewable form of energy and can reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil.
Can all gasoline-powered cars burn ethanol?
No. To burn high-ethanol fuels, vehicles must have different fuel and ignition systems. The cost is minor in new vehicles, about $100.
Where can ethanol fuel be purchased?
At Kroger stores in Mansfield, Crowley, Irving, Dallas, Carrollton and Plano.
On the Web
To find the locations of E85 fuel stations and determine which new cars are E85 capable, visit:
e85vehicles.com
e85refueling.com/distance.php?page=1
Source: Star-Telegram archives
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SCOTT STREATER, 817-390-7657
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Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
