Reports and news articles on the ethanol industry have sparked many debates on its merits versus its pitfalls.  While efforts to wean our nation’s dependence on foreign oil are to be applauded, ethanol is arguably not the only or best way to do so.  A recent article by C. Ford Runge  points out that the production of ethanol has utilized over a third of the U.S.’s 335 million metric ton corn harvest this year, and is forecasted to use up to half of the national harvest by 2015.  This growing demand for corn may cause food prices to increase, making it increasingly difficult for the less fortunate to put food on their tables.  Furthermore, the environmental impacts are serious.   Water shortages may result from enormous quantities needed for processing corn into ethanol.  Also, as the acreage of corn fields expands to meet growing demand, the fertilizers needed for these fields add a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus run-off to our country’s waterways. 

The government has dedicated many billions of dollars to supporting producers of these ethanol based biofuels.  As less widely used sources of renewable energy begin to emerge to the mainstream, it is imperative for the government to shift its focus and support to embrace these new, and often more socially and environmentally responsible, technologies.  More sustainable sources of renewable energy – from solar to wind to biogas from anaerobic digestion – need to start receiving more attention from Congress, instead of continuing heavy support of ethanol biofuels.  Through these technologies, steps can be taken towards achieving the nationally desired goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil without competing with food prices or wreaking havoc on the environment.