Sources of Alternative Energy

Thank you for your article on alternative fuels. Your section on methanol puzzles me, however. You say its use puts formaldehyde into the air. I’ve been told by Los Angeles City’s Fleet Services Department (which has been part of the state’s test program for 10 years) that the use of a catalytic converter prevents this emission.

Your article suggests methanol must be made from corn but it can actually be made many things; rice bran, sugar cane, garbage and much more.

You state the technology presents daunting problems but actually methanol can be distilled in one’s back yard and the mash that’s left over makes an excellent cattle and hog feed.

ANN ALPER

Pacific Palisades