Is the ethanol boom about to bust?

Yes

4 of 14

by Vernon Huffman

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Ethanol can be a sensible alternative to petroleum. Brazil is producing ethanol from sugar cane and has greatly reduced their dependency on oil as we begin to use up the second half of oil on the planet. This has been a good move for them. Ironically, the US' ethanol projects have been much less sensible.

Ethanol in the USA is made from GMO corn grown by corporate agro-business with extensive government subsidies. Overall the operation is so inefficient, that if the subsidies were eliminated, nobody could afford it.

Corporate farms tend to be less efficient than family farms, in the first place. They practice energy intensive farming, utilizing modern machinery, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Like most corporate employees, agro-business farmers are less creative and have lower production rates. It is doubtful whether even dedicated small family farms could efficiently produce ethanol from corn without putting in more energy than can be gotten out of it.

Whatever crop used to produce ethanol, there will be difficulties. The same can be said about bio-diesel in the long run. Every acre dedicated to producing fuel is taken out of food production. Eventually, you end up with a choice. Would you rather drive or eat?

Methanol offers a possible solution to this dilemma, because it can be extracted from most vegetable waste without decreasing the usefulness of the compost. The process is anaerobic and therefore much less healthful than aerobic decomposition generally favored by organic farmers. Methanol is also a much cooler fuel than ethanol. Perhaps we can get enough energy to get food to market, but it probably will never replace gasoline.

The simple solution has been staring us in the face for a long time. Unfortunately, US citizens, who define themselves by the car they drive, don't like to look at the truth that most of the world already recognizes. Efficient alternatives to the car exist. We can walk, bicycle, or use sensible shared transportation.

Mass transit systems like trains and buses require organization and capital investments. We'll have to save some fuel to keep these systems running and this will grow more difficult as years pass. Most importantly, these systems only work if we use them. If you're lucky enough to have access to a mass transit system, please give it your loyalty. Otherwise, you can walk or bike.

Certainly obese Americans will be well served by a decision to provide their own energy for transport. Walking and bicycling are good for you. Today the biggest drawback is the threat of being hit by a car. As more of us embrace the necessity of sensible transport, that threat will fade. When bikes outnumber cars, they'll be an obviously safer choice.

Some people think it takes too long to bicycle or walk. Well, you could choose to spend time earning the car, the license, the insurance, the maintenance, and the fuel. Meanwhile, I'll be bicycling freely while your car drives you to work.

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