The Oil Drum

177 comments on Corn-Based Ethanol: Is This a Solution?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

eric blair on June 7, 2007 - 2:57pm

And Monsanto has the gene guys on it now.

Meaning?

And, given how much you want to project you know something on the topic. feel free to talk about the water issue.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

BenjaminCole on June 8, 2007 - 4:26pm

Eric-

Monsanto put out press releases a few years back, heralding new corn strains selected for ethanol. My layman's understanding was that the better corn was the result of simple selective breeding. Going forward, I gather they intend to introduce corn which is somehow the result of genetic research.

Water? I know nothing about water, except that I drink it. But, if we can build a an oil pipeline all the way across Alaska, why can't we build a pipeline from Lake Superior (a practically infinite source) to the Midwest or wherever water is needed? My layman's understanding is that the water in Lake Superior is good.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

bruce from chicago on June 8, 2007 - 6:46pm

"Lake Superior (a practically infinite source)"

Last I looked Lake Superior had definite boundaries, depth, and watershed making it a finite resource just like everything else humans have depleted. Lets drain it to keep the fountains at the casinos going, the golf courses green, and ethanol to run our wasteful lifestyle.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

BenjaminCole on June 9, 2007 - 10:35am

After we drain Lake Superior dry, we will go after Lake Michigan next. Chicago has it way too easy anyway. Still three more lakes to go after that.

Seriously, I doubt we could even dent water levels at Lake Superior. That is why I used used the word "practically."

I am surprised more people are not considering using Great Lakes water for Midwest farmers. Seems like a solution to me. Must be a reason it won't work.

Aby water and pipe guys out there? Would it be prohibitively expensive to pipe Lake S. water to Midwest?

What if we made Paris Hilton pay for it?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

eric blair on June 10, 2007 - 8:52am

I am surprised more people are not considering using Great Lakes water for Midwest farmers.

Because there are MANY state laws AND international law saying "no".

Towns 30 miles away on the other side of the watershed can't get the water, why should 'midwest farmers'?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

fudoreaper on June 10, 2007 - 5:54pm

Well, my layman's understanding is that the Great Lakes are terribly polluted. Mostly as a result of humans' use of the water drainage system to double as the sewage drainage system. Water from Lake Ontario, for example, is grey, and requires you to shower after exiting, for risk of skin irritation.

Furthermore, if you drained the Great Lakes you'd lose valuble shipping lanes, not to mention environmental damage.

Also, you'd still have to treat the water for human consumption, no getting around that, no matter how clean your lake water is.