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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Environment - "Corn-Based Ethanol Tied to Higher Food Costs"

Siobhan Hughes of the WS Journal reports today:

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Friday that the growing emphasis on corn-based ethanol has contributed to higher food prices, and he said the nation should begin "moving away gradually" from ethanol made from food such as corn.

"As we pursue diversity in our overall energy mix, we must also pursue diversity in our biofuels," Mr. Bodman said at a conference in Alexandria, Va. "This means moving away gradually from ethanol produced from foodstocks like corn."

Mr. Bodman's remarks come as efforts to make motor-vehicle fuels from grains such as corn are coming under fire amid soaring world food prices and food riots in several countries. A U.N. report Tuesday called biofuels a "crime against humanity."

Also today, a brief story by Joy Leiker in the Muncie Star-Press, headed "Court decision looming for Blue River Ethanol plant." Some quotes:
On Friday, Randolph County Judge Peter Haviza, the special judge appointed to the Henry County case, heard a final hour's worth of arguments from six attorneys representing various parties, including residents who live near the Mount Summit site, landowners, the planning commission and zoning administrator

His decision will come nearly a year after a group of residents, those who live closest to the plant site along Henry County Road 400-N, sued. Until the litigation is settled, there will be no construction.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 19, 2008 09:57 AM
Posted to Environment