Ethanol’s Concerns

Here is a real interesting story about <a href="http://www.wlj.net/editorial/102207_ethanols%AD_uncertain_future.htm">ethanol and some problems</a> that are developing in the whole ethanol is our savior myth.<br />n<br />n<blockquote> However, there are problems developing in the marketplace. Supply chain problems and rising costs are hampering growth in the industry despite an ethanol production subsidy and a federal mandate requiring increased usage of ethanol. There is trouble ahead for companies involved in ethanol production. Several recent studies have poked holes in what many had hoped was the answer to the U.S. reliance on foreign oil, which last week was nearing $90 a barrel. However, according to recent studies, including one released earlier this year by University of Minnesota (UM) researchers and a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report, there may be more potential risk ahead for the industry.<br />n<br />n“We definitely believe that biofuels have a significant potential,” said Jason Hill, lead author of the UM study. But he added that ethanol should not be viewed as “a savior” to our energy problems and its rapid expansion as a motor fuel has its drawbacks, especially if it is dependent on food crops such as corn and soybeans as feedstock.</blockquote><br />n<br />nNow I'm not going to link back to what I've said before, but what has always been my concern with the booming ethanol industry? Food security I call it. By converting our food into fuel we are hurting the food security of the United States. Other people are starting to see this now.<br />n<br />n<blockquote> If every acre of corn were used for ethanol, it would replace only 12.3 percent of the gasoline used in this country, Hill’s study said, adding that the energy gains of corn-produced ethanol are only modest and the environmental impacts significant.<br />n<br />nAs a fuel source, ethanol, which produces just 25 percent more energy than it requires to make it—is inferior to feedstocks such as sugar cane which is as much as 400 percent more efficient.<br />n<br />nIt also widely believed by the public that ethanol presents a environmentally friendly option to fossil fuels, however, both the Minnesota and CRS studies found that increased corn production causes the release of nitrogen, phosphorous and pesticides into waterways as runoff from fields. In addition, ethanol, especially at higher concentrations in gasoline, also produces more smog-causing pollutants than gasoline per unit of energy burned, the researchers said. In fact, in terms of alternative fuels, experts point out that biodiesel represents a far better fuel choice than corn- based ethanol.</blockquote><br />n<br />nTwelve percent. That's how much gas ethanol would replace if every corn acre in America were converted to ethanol. People call this energy security? This is producing all our energy at home? If we were to convert all our corn to fuel, what the hell would you eat? Have you people seen how much of our food depends on corn products of one kind or another? This is what I mean by food security. We are endangering Americas food security by turning our food and cropland into food.<br />n<br />nNow I know some wise ass out there will tell me that switch grass and straw can be made into ethanol. Theoretically, yes it can but it has not been done on a commercial scale yet and is still in the research stage. Kind of like fusion power is in research stage. Technically possible but they haven't figured out how to do it yet so let's not bank on cellulosic ethanol yet. It's not here yet.<br />n<br />nI am not opposed to ethanol. I just think it needs to be approached with more caution. Ethanol is not the solution to our energy problems and the greenhouse gas problems. Ethanol also endangers America food security by diverting land from food production to fuel production. These things all need to be considered instead of just running willy nilly head first into a "solution" that just creates more problems. But getting people to look before they leap is just impossible now days.<br />n<br />n<strong>Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgment keep her in check. Baltasar Gracian </strong>