Corn Ethanol
Nearly all American ethanol is distilled from corn. Once touted as the green fuel of the future, corn ethanol has come under increasing scrutiny. Critics argue that, with the fossil fuels used to grow corn and the lower mileage per gallon, the environmental consequences of corn ethanol are ultimately worse than those of conventional gasoline, and that substantial corn subsidies discourage the development of other, cleaner alternative energy solutions. Proponents maintain that producing corn ethanol is the best option given alternative technology and the consequences of dependence on foreign oil.
 
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12.6.07
| 04:48 PM - |
tractor vs oil rig
thecloud - If we are going to compare all the resources that go into making a fuel source, we should be fair. I would like to know how much oil is required in building an oil rig (many cost over $1 billion, I'm speculating, but building one must use a lot of oil). I'm sure its a tremendous amount just towing an oil rig out to sea from where its build. Some of those trips are very very long. As far as subsidies go - corn is not alone. Think of the taxpayer subsidies in making your house solar powered, etc. But the biggest kick in the pants? Subsidies that go towards lowering the cost of driving your car to work. Lets knock those off before we start knocking on the cord subsidy.
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| 02:37 PM - |
Fair Point, Fair AlexVA
Doofus - Just wanted to throw in a bit of support for a lone man standing here. Despite my criticism of the corn industry last night, AlexVA makes a good point about this being able to shift some of our dependency on Middle Eastern oil, and to at least serve as a beachhead into the world of alternative energy sources. I just wonder how much oil is required to produce the same amount of energy in corn ethanol. After all, between the massive amounts of fertilizer (petro-chemicals from oil), and the oil that goes into the tractors, manufacturing process and transportation, we aren't exactly growing sprightly little leaves of fresh green grass here. But if we in fact do save oil, and our dependency on the Middle East, there's something to be said for that.
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| 12:35 PM - |
Uncle Sam and The "Great Tool"
Conrad - The real question is that if this "Corn Ethanol" is such a "Great Tool" why does it need subsidies at all? If it was really all that its cracked up to be don't you think it would be successful without the government dropping all my hard earned nickels on it. The global desire to prevent climate change is a real force in the market. Surely if this alternative fuel had much behind it would be able to stand on its own two feet without a taxpayer funded prop.
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| 12:13 PM - |
Another Lonely Ultra-Liberal....
AlexVA - Sophiebear, ethanol from sugar cane would be a great idea if I was writing from Jamaica, lucky for us (although you don’t seem to appreciate it) we live in the United States where we grow corn, lots of it so lets put it to work. Other resources such as prairie grass, which I agree would be a better alternative, are not fully developed. If you want to attack a lobby, why don't you attack the oil lobby for trying to retard the growth of ethanol rather than the corn lobby for trying to push it and make it a more affordable reality. As far as lobbying goes, that money that you complain about has to come from someone, and those unknown people to you are what the rest of America calls voters, taxpayers and citizens. I think its time you put your negative, ultra leftist attitude out to pasture.
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| 11:49 AM - |
Hey Fox News, Cool it
SophieBear - You're right, Ethanol does have the ability to be a "great tool." But not Corn Ethanol! I'm all for perusing alternative energy, but most of what is said of corn ethanol in the media is a lie - it's not cheaper than gasoline and it's not better for the environment. Sugar ethanol, for instance is. Lucky to have a corn lobby? Leave the jokes to Bob Saggot. I like it when people are represented for their individual vote (it's called a democracy) and not how much money is involved (thanks lobbying).
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| 10:45 AM - |
Sophiebear, stop shutting the door on alternative energy!
AlexVA - Ethanol has the ability to be a great tool. It's grown domestically, abundant and easy to produce. With tension in the Middle East and dwindling oil supplies around the world I think we are at a stage where we need to weigh out our options for alternative energy, including ethanol. Farm subsidies will always exist and they should, the last thing we need to do as a country is start importing basic food items and give up control of our food supply. Look at the control that OPEC already has over us. At least now with ethanol the taxpayer funded subsidies are actually being used to produce something rather than paying farmers simply not to produce. And of course there is a corn lobby, there is a lobby for everything on earth. I used to live next to the headquarters of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, EVERYONE is represented in Washington. We should be thankful that there are organizations such as the corn lobby dedicated to pushing ideas for alternative fuels forward. Let's not forget that the strongest lobbys in Washington are usually those with the largest grassroots base... While I personally think that bio-diesel is the best source of alternative energy currently available to us because it runs on recycled vegetable oil products that are otherwise being thrown away, now is not the time to start playing politics and shunning one form over another. We are on the brink of a crisis and we must vigorously explore every alternative fuel possible.
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| 10:44 AM - |
Indeed
jb - It really is amazing how so many americans (75%) think Corn Ethanol should be pursued. That's crazy - considering scientists and so many experts agree that Corn Ethanol is a dangerous little lie.
For coherent thoughts on energy policy check out: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/193 |
| 12:42 AM - |
Good ol' Corn
Doofus - If only we understood just how intertwined corn was in every aspect of our life. The vast majority of all of the corn that we eat is a single type of corn, which is used in sweeteners, flour, corn syrup, cattle feed (which we eat), and ethanol production. Sophie over there is right about it all being subsidized, creating the illusion that we are getting the deal of the century. Instead, we just pay for it through taxes. If anyone is interested in understanding more about the corn industry, the instant classic "The Omnivore's Dilemma" is a sure bet. By the way, does that picture make anybody else hungry? I guess I should have had more for dinner.
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| 12:15 AM - |
Seriously?
SophieBear - Corn ethanol is a joke. The only reason it's produced in the US is because of the corn lobby (yes, such a thing exists). Ye ol' government throws so many bones at corn, we have no idea what to do with all the excess-so we make it into ethanol which ends up being at least as harmful to the environment as gas. And it's not actually cheaper, it's just paid for by taxes. Meanwhile, Iowa is one giant corn field, so all politicians tread lightly. It's pathetic.
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