Ethanol: the Renewable Fuel Source

Tbe Economist has an interesting piece on ethanol, which was lobbied intensely for in the '80's by what we used to call the "Senator from Archer Daniels Midland," Bob Dole. Back in the day, ethanol was a wonderful way to get farmers to stay on the land by converting their corn [maize] into auto fuel additive. Now high-fructose corn syrup might be another way to keep the farmers happy & on the land. Plus of course, feedstock for hungry cattle getting beefed up for market. Finally, human consumption.

Brazil does it with sugar cane far more efficiently, but the rip-off called ethanol is a US passion......