Today in Biofuels Opinion: “corn farmers and ethanol producers know they are running a cruel hoax on the American consumer”

Walter E. Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University: “Ethanol is so costly that it wouldn’t make it in a free market. It’s easy to understand how the public, looking for cheaper gasoline, can be taken in by the call for increased ethanol usage. But politicians, corn farmers and ethanol producers know they are running a cruel hoax on the American consumer. They are in it for the money. The top leader in the ethanol hoax is Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), the country’s largest producer of ethanol. Ethanol producers and the farm lobby have pressured farm state congressmen into believing that it would be political suicide if they didn’t support subsidized ethanol production. That’s the stick. Campaign contributions play the role of the carrot.”

Maywa Montenegro, at grist.org: “I am blown away by the depth and scope of the nonpartisan Presidential Climate Action Project. Its centerpiece is a first-100-days plan, detailed in a 300-page report, covering issues ranging from energy policy and green collar jobs to the farm bill and ethanol subsidies to the Law of the Sea.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “[Aventine] can be a bit cavalier about their risk management.”

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken in TmcNet: "I believe there is a relationship between the amount of corn in ethanol and the effect it has on the price of corn. You have not seen a decre...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “Whatever is driving up grocery prices won’t be found on the farm.”

Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy: “Last year the Grocery Manufacturers Association developed a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign to blame American farmers and ethanol producers for higher fo...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: ” McCain also has promised Iowa corn farmers that they can kiss goodbye their costly, distorted, environmentally ruinous ethanol program.”

Deroy Murdock in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "McCain-Palin's "all of the above" approach would include fast-tracking 45 atomic power plants for construction by 2030. McCain also has promised Iowa ...

Today in World Opinion: Euro Ford exec says sustainability standards are critical; Bajaj Hindustan chief says food and fuel both possible; Canadian scribe says Canada should follow German, Castro lead

Moneymorning.com writes that "corn prices will continue to rise....as high as $6 a bushel....not such a good thing for the American consumer. Corn is also used to make soft drinks, bubble gum, ketchup...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “It’s algae — period.”

Sean O'Hanlon, executive director, American Biofuels Council: "It's algae -- period. There's so much upside to algae. I've yet to find a downside." Mark Stowers, vice president of research and deve...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “EPA’s Johnson can see nothing wrong with this wild-eyed rush to turn half of the corn crop into car fuel”

Tom Philpott in Gristmill: "Yet the EPA's Johnson can see nothing wrong with this wild-eyed rush to turn half of the corn crop into car fuel.  Here's what he declared in a press release upholding the...