On the surface this may seem like a good idea, but the mandate to, by 2022, have up to 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol counted toward the 36 billion gallon biofuel production level will only worsen its effect on food production. We’re at 6-9 billion gallons of corn ethanol now and with all the havoc that has wreaked on agriculture worldwide, the concept of almost tripling that amount over the next 20-odd years is terrifying. What may yet save us is the fact that it will likely prove a simply impossible standard to meet.

And the fact that the administration’s rationale for expanding the use of biofuels continues to be the misplaced desire “to reduce our dependence on foreign oil” is just ludicrous. Addressing climate change WILL reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But simply reducing dependence on foreign oil won’t save the planet—only zeroing out our carbon emissions will do that. So energy policy in this country must be seen through that one, single lens.

I admit I need to do a lot more research on this topic, and I plan to this summer......but the mere fact that this is causing food prices in poor countries to skyrocket ....is enough to stop it asap, imho.

but the mere fact that this is causing food prices in poor countries to skyrocket ....is enough to stop it asap,

There are plenty other non-food crops that can be used for biofuels and they don't require nearly as much chemical-based fertilizer.

Antara, check out: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080421-biofuels.html

There is also, sawgrass and algae.

Plus, if the world would stop eating so much beef than more corn could be grown for human consumption and solve several other problems as well.

thanks, i will follow up