The Continuing Ethanol Dilemma - 3/04/08

Hobert Pruitt
Beyond Fossil Fuel Columnist

I don't believe corn based ethanol is a long term solution, there are many consequences. But it is here to stay and as big as it is, it will get much bigger. Oil companies will control ethanol and profit from it putting more money in their pocket.
Ethanol production in the U.S. has increased exponentially over the past several years. The USDA reports production of ethanol has increased from 3 billion gallons in 2003 to 6 billion gallons in 2007. The growth of the ethanol industry will continue over the next few years. It is projected to exceed 12 billion gallons by 2010.

The energy bill passed by Congress in December of 2007 is demanding an increase in domestic biofuel production of 36 billion gallons by 2022.

These projections should come to pass if the 54 cent per gallon tariff on imported ethanol stays in effect. More ethanol means more corn consumption. It is projected by 2008 the U.S. ethanol refineries will receive more than double the 60 million bushels of corn estimated by the USDA. Ethanol consumes more than 20% of the U.S. corn crop, so at this pace ethanol will consume one third of the corn crop by 2010! For more information on "Food, Fuel and Oil" go to this link http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/ethanol/food_oil_122807.html

Some studies estimate it will take most of the farmland in the U.S. to produce enough ethanol to meet Congress's demands. Knocking out supply with demand increasing for ethanol and food will only push agriculture prices higher across the planet.

You may ask how the increase in corn production affects all agriculture. When the farmer sees he can double or triple his income by not planting wheat or beans, then he naturally switches to corn. What does this do to the price of wheat, beans and other commodities? It reduces their supply on the food hungry market pushing their price through the roof! Wheat went limit up on the futures market a few days ago. Add another drought and increasing inflation and you have a guaranteed mix of much higher food prices. Learn more about Peak Food

Sure we must find alternative energy solutions to gain our energy independence from petroleum. Ethanol produced from corn is not the answer. Studies have found using agriculture waste and/or switch grass can produce 540% more energy than consumed when producing ethanol. Corn produces only 25% more energy than it consumes when producing ethanol. For more information go to this link http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/ethanol/cellulose_0201608.html

Millions of tons of agriculture waste or cellulose is discarded or tilled back into the soil every year. It seems very clear corn is not the solution, cellulose is the solution. This is just another brainless move by the government to jump on the first easy option, without looking at all the options and their consequences.

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