Ethanol's Forecast

Rain and floods in the corn-growing Midwest could drive up the costs of producing the biofuel.

In recent months, demand for corn used to make increasing amounts of ethanol has driven up corn prices, and to some extent food prices. But now bad weather in the Midwest, which has delayed corn crops, could further drive up corn prices and lead to significantly more expensive food, particularly meats. The weather problems could also cause some ethanol plants to shut down. Full Story »

Posted by Beth Wellington

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Beth Wellington
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by Beth Wellington - Oct. 1, 2008

Just a basic update on how weather is entering into the corn for food v.s. fuel debate. What is most interesting to me at the current article are the comments which often are intelligent--not that I'm surprised. Corn ethanol currently uses the grain, which is why those who want to poor to have food worry about it. Cellulosic ethanol, which would use the leftovers, has not been developed in the US for commercial purposes. Below I've linked to Biocycle's april 2005 article (via HarvestEnergy.org) on cellulosic ethanol, which outlines what is standing in the way.

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