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Running on corn
Ethanol is no magic solution
Date published: 8/7/2007
IF CARS eat all the corn, what will cows do? That's not just a flip question: An increasing emphasis on ethanol as an alternative fuel has doubled the cost of corn in two years, leaving beef and dairy farmers struggling to feed their livestock. And that's not the only downside to this hot commodity.
Ethanol is not the long-term answer to America's energy problems. It has only about two-thirds the energy per gallon of gasoline, which means the more ethanol in your tank, the fewer miles per gallon you're going to get. Producing it takes fossil fuel energy, as does getting it to market: Ethanol must be transported in tanker trucks because it is corrosive and would erode inexpensive pipelines. Growing the corn to produce ethanol requires excessive amounts of of nitrogen fertilizer, which washes into our rivers and streams and causes pollution. In fact, scientists attribute a major "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico to corn production in the Midwest.
Despite these drawbacks, agricultural interests are tripping over themselves to produce corn for the ethanol market. This year they planted 15.5 percent more of the "yellow gold" than last year--a record of over 90 million acres. Soybean and cotton farmers in particular are making the switch to corn, encouraged by both skyrocketing market prices and federal incentives. In 2006, the feds paid ethanol corn farmers $.9 billion.
That windfall is in addition to the $2.5 billion Uncle Sam paid to ethanol "blenders" and the $3.6 billion consumers paid for the privilege of pumping ethanol-laced gas. With all that money floating around, it's no wonder the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief economist calls the current atmosphere "ethanol euphoria."
Date published: 8/7/2007
Most recent reader comments:
There is no Battle between Food and Fuel
(posted by
HaydenEicher
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Having an ethanol plant in Virginia would produce 220 million gallons of ethanol. An ethanol plant produces another domestically grown corn co product – DDGs– a high protein feedstock . The plant will bring at least $2.6 million a year in real estate taxes and provide much needed jobs to the area – hiring 150 workers to start. I urge you to take a look at the real facts not the headlines.
There is no Battle between Food and Fuel
(posted by
HaydenEicher
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Contrary to what some are leading readers to believe, Virginia would only prosper by the ethanol growth in the state. U.S. Corn yields have doubled since 1980. Corn producers are on tract to produce another record harvest this year. There is no shortage of corn used for food and fuel. In Virginia, if producers see the market is there, more corn could be planted if it is worth the risk.
Having an ethanol plant in Virginia would produce 220 million gallons of eth
On cornflakes and politics
(posted by
rsteenblik
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Ethanol boosters like to point to corn flakes, a highly processed food, and boast how little any rise in the price of corn makes to that product. For consumers of pigmeat, chickenmeat, dairy products, tortillas and cornmeal, however, an almost doubling of the price of corn has big impact.
Unfortunately, people like "savedbygracealone" feel a need to paint critics of current biofuel policy as politically motivated. This is no party issue: Democratic senators, as well as Republican, are equally to blame.
The Truth About Corn Ethanol
(posted by
FoodandFuel
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Corn is getting a bad rap. Although corn prices have increased, this doesn't mean food prices have to rise. Energy costs are the real driver in food price increases. Corn is both food AND fuel. Dried Distillers Grains is an ethanol co-product that allows the fats and proteins to be used for animal feed. Most other foods, like meat and corn flakes, only have pennies per pound or corn. $3.50 buy 56 POUNDS of corn from a farmer.
Learn more at http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Not to mention...
(posted by
HasOpinion
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Not to mention, Corn goes into a LOT of our food (corn syrup is in just about everything). The cost of food in general will then also go up. All we are going to do is shift cost from our tanks to our kitchen. And why, because corn lobbiest foght for corn over sugar. Yes sugar is used in food too, but amazinly not as much as corn. Also, surgar is not a dirty crop like corn is. Brazil has been using surgar for 20 yrs now.
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