Chrysler Exec explains who is trying to stop alternative fuels

At the Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City on Friday Chrysler’s Loren Beard made some remarks that would come as a surprise to those who think that the automakers are in the pocket of the oil companies. Beard is the Senior Manager of Energy Planning and Policy and he spoke about the five groups that are trying to stop alternative fuels.

The first and most obvious is the big oil companies that want to protect their market. OPEC should plus come as no surprise since most member countries have economies that are nearly entirely dependent on the flow of high dollar crude oil. Another is what Beard describes as “Silver Bullet” carmakers who are trying to sell some new technology that will solve everything as faraway as there is no competition.

Agri-business companies additionally get called out considering they want the focus to be on biofuels from corn and soy rather than other alternatives. Lastly comes what he calls Fringe Environmental Groups. Their problem with them is that they need to keep folks afraid that none of the currently available technology can help. Keeping citizens on edge helps them attract donations. go the Read link to form out Loren Beard discuss the five groups.

[Source: Chrysler]

Loren Beard stirred things up at the end of a weeklong industry conference.

The Chrysler Senior Manager of Energy Planning and Policy named the five groups that he says are trying to stop the growth of alternative fuels.

Speaking at the annual Management Briefing Seminars conference, held external Traverse City, Mich., Beard said the groups have their own interests to

protect. What might be a surprise to some is the inclusion of “Big Agriculture”, some environmental groups and some automakers.

The five groups are:

1. Big Oil

- Alternative Fuels eat into their market share, complicate distribution operations and may require special components and different additives at refineries.

2. Big Agriculture

- They support feedstock-specific biofuels such as soybeans and corn and want to preserve current tax incentives that support their crops. The Renewable Fuels organization supports mid-level blends of ethanol, which will effectively kill the E85 program.

3. “Silver Bullet” Carmakers

- They believe that their technology is the only reply to improving fuel economy.

- Look to parochial interests rather than national and global interests

4. Fringe Environmental Groups

- They need “crisis” PR to attract donations

- Focus on imaginary “silver bullet” long-term technologies without respect to real world economics.

5. OPEC

- Need to support high production rates at high prices

- Use their market position to influence political positions

Beard additionally listed the five reasons they can’t succeed:

- Finite petroleum resources

- Petroleum held by hostile regimes

- Greenhouse gases

- Alternative fuels create jobs on American farms, in American processing plants and in American transportation

- U.S. balance of trade

We talked to Beard about the five groups listed above. To take in our interview, visit on “download podcast” below.
Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

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