The American Spectator

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p> Putting out Alcohol fires simply requires copious amounts of water. Water and Alcohol mix quite easily, unlike gasoline. If anyone has watched a CART or IndyCar race knows that all teams have 5 gallon buckets of water around as part of their fire safety regimen. When a fuel fire happens the contents of these buckets is thrown on the fire. I've not heard of any large conflagration in the pits of since going to alcohol as a fuel. br> -- Roger Thompson /p> p> Sadly, the environmental wackos succeeded in interfering with free markets and convincing us that ethanol was the answer to our environmental problems. Instead we have a product, ethanol, that costs more to produce, uses gas to be produced, burns less efficiently than gasoline, reduces engine life and produces no less emissions. And that it is made from corn has boosted corn prices from $2.50/bushel to over $5.00/bushel. Since "corn is king" wheat and soybean prices have also doubled. Food prices are in the process of doubling as a result. Is ethanol worth it? Ask yourself the next time you are at the grocery store. br> -- Howard Lohmuller br> Seabrook,Texas /p>

While I share your views on the lunacy of addressing the energy issue with bio fuels, as a career firefighter for nearly thirty years I have to offer insight and comment on your assertion of the increased danger of ethanol with respect to increased suppression/extinguishment requirements.

Ethanol, as all alcohols, is considered a polar solvent and does pose unique conditions for extinguishment. Conventionally, the foam formulas used through- out the fire service are of a 3%/6% composition. This allows the fire fighting crews the option of using a 6% solution on ordinary hydrocarbon liquid fuel sources or a 3% solution on polar solvents and alcohols by dialing different proportioning settings. Ethanol actually does not pose a serious fiscal or operational difficulty for us as firefighters. In recent training with ethanol fuel spill fires, we discovered that the ethanol burned with color (yellow/orange) and could be effectively extinguished by diluting the fuel to 50% or less through the addition of water. Because water only does not provide the vapor suppression benefit that foam does, care had to be taken to prevent re-ignition. Our training demonstrated the 3% proportion of foam to be extremely effective. Notwithstanding, there are other reasons to discourage the proliferation of ethanol fuel use.

Unlike straight gasoline, ethanol presents a unique corrosive threat to conventional tankers/piping. It is of concern to firefighters that should demand (or governmental requirement) outpace the ability to upgrade tankers and piping shipping and dispensing of ethanol could occur under less than safe conditions.

Our instructor also expressed concern about "home brewers" attempting to concoct their own ethanol. Needless to say these amateurs would not follow optimal safety parameters. I certainly would not appreciate answering a call to a residence or business where some jamoke is attempting to make his own fuel!

p>I hope this is helpful. I truly enjoy your online articles. Keep up the good work. br> --

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