CATO blasts the notion of Ethanol as our energy panacea. [PDF] Better yet, they aren't doing it with policy, but with raw numbers. The amount of corn we can produce doesn't reach the level we require to adequately replace oil. 3/4 of every liter of the stuff has to be used just to create it, and corn supply, it turns out, is more volatile than oil. Why? Because draught, pests, and the need for corn to fight hunger worldwide affect corn a lot more than a cartel affects oil. You can't negotiate with a blizzard.
Any chance we can stop this insanity? Hey you! Over there in Iowa! Turn in your subsidy and retrain!
2 comments:
I'm glad someone has finally examined the issue in detail. What are the chances they'll also be able to convince the FDA that high-fructose corn syrup is adding to the health problems of America (and the world)? The problem stems in part from the fact that more corn is produced than is eaten...that extra has to go somewhere.
Michael
Michael is dead-on - HFCS is hideous stuff nutritionally.
There are those of us who have been anti-ethanol since the 70s. Ethanol is a useful 3rd or 4th fuel - i.e. "part of this balanced breakfast." Of course, the staple should probably be nuclear fission at this point, with bazillions of dollars going to nuclear fusion and solar research.
The question I have is whether any of the "help the environment" Democrats, or the "reduce dependence on foreign oil" Republicans will say so in Iowa... But that's not much of a question, is it?
Post a Comment