Water Hogs?

[Steven Schmidt]

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/archivesearch/local_story_081011508.html

I read this story Sunday and found that for me it left questions unanswered. The story speaks of the Winnebago ethanol plant using 350,000 gallons per day from the aquifer, but never says how large the aquifer is. Also, how long does it take to replenish the water?

The ethanol industry has taken a lot of heat lately for it's water consumption. This article seems to imply that this one plant uses the same amount of water as the city of Winnebago. In comparison to how much a city like Mankato or even the twins cities must use, it seems like the plants water use would be minimal. After reading this story, I'm starting to wonder if the worry over ethanol water usage has been blown out of proportion.

[Bob Jentges]

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/archivesearch/local_story_081011508.html

I read this story Sunday and found that for me it left questions unanswered. The story speaks of the Winnebago ethanol plant using 350,000 gallons per day from the aquifer, but never says how large the aquifer is. Also, how long does it take to replenish the water?

The ethanol industry has taken a lot of heat lately for it's water consumption. This article seems to imply that this one plant uses the same amount of water as the city of Winnebago. In comparison to how much a city like Mankato or even the twins cities must use, it seems like the plants water use would be minimal. After reading this story, I'm starting to wonder if the worry over ethanol water usage has been blown out of proportion.

Corn Plus seems to be investigating a possible alternative to the use of fresh ground water. It would be great if that research demonstrated "reuse" was a viable alternative.

I have not heard much about it recently, but another thing I think needs to be explored is how to lower the cost of producing a gallon of ethonal to something closer to that of producing a gallon of gasoline.

[Free Press Editor Joe Spear]

This topic has come up quite a bit. I'd like to get a pro-con oped piece from both sides of "corn ethanol efficiency debate" Steven or others, Any ideas of who might be good locally to write on each side?

[Jonathan Kovaciny]

The problem with ethanol is that it is subsidized. This distorts the market for it and more is produced (and more research is done at great cost) than would otherwise be done. If ethanol truly is a good idea, then someone will invest a great deal of money in it now (before it is profitable), and either make it profitable through improved technology or by waiting until oil prices rise enough that corn is a cheaper fuel source. When we use political force to invest in ethanol, we have no way of knowing that we're making the right move, and the taxpayers are forced to absorb the risk.

There's a good article on this subject here: Ethanol and the Calculation Issue (http://mises.org/story/1886)

[Dan Conner]

This topic has come up quite a bit. I'd like to get a pro-con oped piece from both sides of "corn ethanol efficiency debate" Steven or others, Any ideas of who might be good locally to write on each side?

Joe--

My cousin, who lives about 12 miles south of Willmar, is considered an ethonal "guru." He is a CPA who assists farmers and organizations to set up cooperatives, etc., so ethanol plants can be built. I think he has been involved with the planning and construction of most of them. Also, he is a corn farmer. He has been interviewed by MPR and others about ethanol and the business. Also, he has ownership interests in ethanol plants around the country. If you want to call me, I'll give you his name and contact info. I think he might consent to an interview.