King Corn Divides Congress in Ethanol Debate

Within the past year, corn-based ethanol has won over farmers, energy engineers, politicians, and investors alike. Staunch guarantees for cleaner renewable energy, independence from foreign oil and economic growth has made corn the cash crop of the future—an agricultural knight in shinning armor. According to the Los Angeles Times, however, a plan to dramatically increase ethanol production is a bone of contention in recent congressional negotiations.

Ethanol advocates want a fivefold increase in corn ethanol by 2022. Food-industry and environmental groups, however, believe such growth would hike food prices, steal tax dollars for other renewable energy research development, and most of all harm the environment. Corn production requires massive use of fertilizers and pesticides, all leading to chemical pollution, habitat loss and marine dead zones.

With gas brimming over three dollars a gallon, and pressure to decrease dependency on foreign oil, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi must act within a field of conflicting demands.

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