Ethanol Fuels
Agricultural War
By Nicholas E. Hollis

Ethanol mandates, ramped up by the federal government at the behest of ADM and its so-called "ethanol lobby"—are sparking a virtual "civil war" in the American countryside. In states where ethanol advocates are pushing for statewide mandates designed to force motorists to use the fuel additive, rancorous political battles have practically brought legislatures to a standstill.

Last summer in Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell’s determined campaign to force the creation of a massive ethanol promotion fund ($800 million at taxpayer expense) resulted in the closure of "non-essential" state offices and services while the state legislature wrangled over a budget impasse. Intense battles along similar themes have scorched the political dialogue in states as far flung as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, and Louisiana.

In Washington, Congress nearly ground to a halt as energy legislation with the ethanol increase took center stage, requiring major compromises and patch-ups as senators and congressmen scurried to pave the way for the ethanolics.

In the run-up to the energy (ethanol) expansion bill (H.R. 6), agriculture groups representing grocery/food manufacturers, chicken, hog, dairy, and cattle businesses and others organized against ethanol and, for the first time, hired lobbyists to oppose the ethanol advocates (primarily corn and soybean processors and the Renewable Fuels Association.)

The fact that the "animal ag groups" were routed does not change the fact that biofuels have become an economic wedge issue in agriculture.

As biofuel subsidy-driven distortions wreak havoc on prices, the most affected ag sectors are attempting to pass along higher costs to the consumer, but, in many cases, the increases are already dramatic. As more and more shoppers shift away from milk, eggs, and other traditional forms of protein, the nation’s diet could change—for the worse.

Americans are being served a smorgasbord of falsehoods and demagoguery to justify the switch to ethanol. The notions that ethanol use will result in cleaner air and energy independence are complete hogwash—but the Ethanol juggernaut is well served by advertising revenue-compromised media. The takeover of the nation’s ag media occurred years ago with no one paying attention—and now the corruption is well entrenched in the mainstream.

Ethanol subsidies are like steroids driving industrial agriculture, creating artificial energy and profits for a few on the backs of the many. Visit the Peoria Journal Star at PJStar.com for more information.

This agricultural war is not regional in the traditional sense. Ethanol votes in Congress reflect a strong Midwest vs. coastal bias. Resistance to federal mandated fuel blends, and politically motivated EPA rulings on auto emissions (favoring ethanol) are growing in California and New England—as well the Deep South. Interestingly, citizen activism against new ethanol distilleries in the Midwest, is also mounting.

This is likely to be a watershed year for this issue and it is not an exaggeration to say that the nation’s ag-food security for future generations could well ride on the outcome.

Nicholas E. Hollis, a Randolph native, writes on agricultural issues. He now works with the General Longstreet Recognition Project of the Heritage Preservation Committee in Washington, D.C.