Notable quotable

Et tu, Al? Franken gulps the ethanol-spiked Kool-Aid 5

“I’ve looked at this a lot, and it seems to me that ethanol already helps our carbon footprint and it’s only getting more efficient in the way it’s produced. Corn ethanol is a step on the way to cellulosic ethanol, which is also going to benefit Minnesota. I’m in the pro-ethanol camp.”
—Sen. (elect) Al Franken, D.-Minn.

Grist food editor Tom Philpott farms and cooks at Maverick Farms, a sustainable-agriculture nonprofit and small farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Follow my Twitter feed; contact me at tphilpott[at]grist[dot]org.

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  1. chrisbrandow Posted 11:33 am
    02 Jul 2009

    it seems to me that the fundamental problem with regards to corn ethanol is that farmers are already growing, processors are already processing it and distributors are already distributing it.  That represents a lot of individuals capital, jobs and interests.  This would not be a problem if there were any other viable biofuel option that could produce on the same level as corn ethanol, but there is not.  lots of potential ways, but nothing else "works" yet.  so, the political pressure which comes from lots and lots of individuals as well as "big ag" will remain.  it is frustrating, but i can't be too cynical about it.
  2. Tyler Durden Posted 1:31 pm
    03 Jul 2009

    Al Franken is nowhere near as progressive as progressives fantasize that he is.  He is slightly to the left of the average Democrat and that's it.  So we'll see a lot of crap like this from him, be prepared.
  3. Bob Perry Posted 11:31 am
    04 Jul 2009

    The answer is mass transit not more fuel of anykind.  In my humble city of Lexington, KY of around 250,000 light rail and street cars would take 75% of the traffic off the road.  Most cities of any size used to have street cars, but the auto, oil and tire industries bought them and shut them down.  Time to bring them back.  I would much rather spend my hour commute reading than driving.
  4. Biodiversivist's avatar

    Biodiversivist Posted 12:11 pm
    04 Jul 2009

    I hate it when celebrities who have no idea what they are talking about get involved in complex issues. Remever Willy Nelson and his Biowilly? America has become a celebritocracy.
  5. F James Handley Posted 9:44 pm
    06 Jul 2009

    See "The Ethanol subsidy is worse than you can imagine" at http://www.slate.com/id/2122961/.  Guess big Ag is paying Al F's legal bills off.   Bad start.-  jh

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