The Straight Dope -- By Cecil Adams
http://www.straightdope.com

THE STRAIGHT DOPE 11/28/2003

Dear Cecil:

We are from a farming community that grows a lot of corn.
Ethanol (alcohol) and corn production are both heavily
subsidized. My thinking is that they both are "pork
barrel" projects. Doesn't it take as much or more fossil
fuel energy to produce a given amount of ethanol energy?
Maybe the ethanol lobbyists and producers aren't telling
us the full story? --Roger R., the midwest


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Cecil replies:

Maybe not, but who can blame them? The full story seems to
be that ethanol subsidies are a complete waste. One can't
expect a lobbyist to walk into a farm belt congressperson's
office and say, "Sir or madam, ethanol subsidies don't
reduce our dependence on foreign oil, alleviate air
pollution, or benefit the country in any other demonstrable
way. A large portion of the money goes directly into the
coffers of a single multibillion-dollar corporation. Some
experts say that manufacturing ethanol consumes more energy
than the fuel produces. In fact, all the ethanol industry
dependably generates is profits for itself and campaign
contributions for you. Can we count on your vote?"

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