Ethanol Discussion Needs to Be Based on Facts
by David Kessel (Marin Independent Journal) … Discussions on energy use and production are important, but need to be based on factual information, not made up red herrings.
• The articles state the intent was to increase renewable fuels. Not mentioned was that a preeminent original intent was to free us up from foreign oil dependence. The result, along with fracking: mission accomplished.
• There is a claim that ethanol is the cause of loss of 7.3 million acres of farmland. Completely ignored is that this is vastly overwhelmed by an estimated 1.5 million to 3 million acres per year loss to urban and suburban development (45 million to 90 million over the 40-year history of ethanol use). So to tackle farmland loss by focusing on ethanol is a diversion, particularly if one is interested in preserving the “good” farmland. If we curbed suburban-urban sprawl by a mere 15 to 20 percent with more efficient use, we could eliminate the conversion of poorer grassland for ethanol production.
• The claim is that corn prices have doubled. Today the price is $3.75 per bushel (52 cents in 1968 dollars, accounting for inflation). The price was $1.12 on June 17, 1968. So, the truth is the price of corn has dropped 53 percent, not doubled. The minimum wage was $1.60 in 1968. If it went up the same amount as corn it would be $5.36 today, not $7.25 (which most consider too low). READ MORE
