Increasing crops to make ethanol risks water supplies

Source: Associated Press

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Increasing crops to make ethanol risks water supplies
Randolph E. Schmid / Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to solving the fossil fuel crisis, it seems like every silver lining comes accompanied by a dark cloud.

As attention turns more and more toward using corn and other products to produce ethanol for fuel, experts warn that increased production of these crops could pose a threat to the nation's water supplies.

Both water quality and the availability of water could be threatened by sharply increasing crops such as corn, said Jerald L. Schnoor, professor of environmental engineering and co-director of the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research at the University of Iowa.

Schnoor is chairman of a National Research Council panel that studied the potential impact of increased use of biofuels on water supplies. The committee report was released today.





Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071010/UPDATE/710100443/1020/rss09

sounds like his retirement investors own XOM STOCK; BECAUSE WE WON'T BE EATING THE CROP WE CAN USE A POLLUTED WATER SUPPLY!
SAY ONE NEAR A LANDFILL HIS CRONIES APPROVED!
AN ENGINEER SAID THIS YUK YUK

I understand Enron owned quite a bit, I wonder what happened to their assets...

tells part of the story. In addition, more acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program are not being renewed when the contracts expire or are being withdrawn from the program entirely. Other programs such as the Wetland Reserve Program and the Grassland Reserve Program are being affected too.

These programs pay farmers to not plant crops on enrolled acres. Some provide incentives (cost share) to plant native grasses, trees and shrubs. This helps retain topsoil and prevent erosion. The plantings also help provide cover and nesting habitat for birds and waterfowl.

Ethanol, IMO is going to turn out to be the biggest boondoggle we have seen lately. Here in Minnesota, we are now producing more than the market can absorb. Coupled with high corn prices the future is not looking so great for the industry.

Here's a story from the MPLS Star Tribune on ethanol: http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1474846.html

"The growing pains of a young industry sting some ethanol producers; with plant capacity outstripping immediate demand, many expect profits to be depressed through next year."