PROJECT GREEN

Liquid Gold

Ethanol is supposed to be good for the environment. But producing green fuel can cost a lot of water.

By Jim Moscou | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Feb 21, 2008 | Updated: 10:08 a.m. ET Feb 21, 2008

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Posted By: DL Nelson @ 06/10/2008 12:52:22 PM

Comment: Part of the issue can be traced to a general lack of understanding of basic water concepts and an acceptance of a places Water Address (all the factors that make a site unique from a water perspective). The farmers know their Water Address and they must use and manage water within the law and based on ever changing needs and challenges. Education must play a bigger role in water management!. Creative efforts like Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is one education program that is helping children/youth understand water through school and community-based education. Check out www.projectwet.org for education materials on groundwater, watersheds, wetlands, water conservations, and other important water topic.
Posted By: sirhc @ 04/05/2008 7:49:03 PM

Comment: THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS VERY REAL. I TRIED TO DENY IT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AL SHARPTON MAKING COMMERCIALS WITH PAT ROBERTSON AND NEWT GINGRINCH DOING COMMERCIALS WITH ANNCY PELOSI ALL FOR THIS-THEN THAT'S A LOUD AND CLEAR SIGNAL. Go to www.dakshidin.com for the environment uptick on other energy source(mainly air and wind-I saw on Glen Beck about the air powered car-HOPE SO!)and www.greenglobeint.com for the companies that specialize in tourism and traveling in the most green way because traveling is very, very much a pollutant as people discard and tarvel more frivilous than when they are home.
Posted By: sirhc @ 04/05/2008 7:48:28 PM

Comment: THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS VERY REAL. I TRIED TO DENY IT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AL SHARPTON MAKING COMMERCIALS WITH PAT ROBERTSON AND NEWT GINGRINCH DOING COMMERCIALS WITH ANNCY PELOSI ALL FOR THIS-THEN THAT'S A LOUD AND CLEAR SIGNAL. Go to www.dakshidin.com for the environment uptick on other energy source(mainly air and wind-I saw on Glen Beck about the air powered car-HOPE SO!)and www.greenglobeint.com for the companies that specialize in tourism and traveling in the most green way because traveling is very, very much a pollutant as people discard and tarvel more frivilous than when they are home.
Posted By: granted @ 03/10/2008 9:14:54 AM

Comment: The first thing to do is to tell the "farmers" that they live in a desert. No one who lives there should expect the taxpayers to supply them with water for agriculture. It's just common sense. I don't move to the bottom of the ocean and demand that the government supply me with air, they shouldn't live in a desert and demand water.

The second thing that
Posted By: JandNLarson @ 02/28/2008 1:26:48 AM

Comment: Why do this in places where the only water available is fresh water? Consider areas where sea water can be desalinated!
Posted By: Erica Asahan @ 02/26/2008 8:04:06 PM

Comment: Erica Asahan wrote:

After watching CNN the other night and more about Ethanol, I absolutely believe that this is not THE solution to our energy/oil problems. First, they should and must educate people like myself on where they are planning on pulling the funds to spend in producing Ethanol?
Posted By: gcangelone @ 02/23/2008 9:40:59 PM

Comment: I find it difficult to believe that all of these comments are about driving! Cost of fuel very important and how we get it also very important. Now there is a conflict, water, food, fuel. It is all related. How do we decide where to start the process? Just a thought, but what about eating? How do we make these decisions?
Posted By: gcangelone @ 02/23/2008 9:22:31 PM

Comment: After reading this information and having a very small (really very small) farm, one of my first thoughts is for farmers and for consumers because we all benefit if it WORKS, is to grow what our climate supports. Small farmers are a coop. Not in name but in life. If we keep ignoring what our land can produce, I feel we are missing the big picture because that is what will flourish as our ability to "buy" will diminish. We in effect will go back to where we began. I personally do not believe that is a detriment. It will cause us to look at what we do and how we live with a different eye. That is one way to look at our future and our options so that we can make realistic decisions. I feel that at this time and place we are not ready to have an honest discussion about these problems.
Posted By: burbank @ 02/23/2008 2:34:54 AM

Comment: Even at peak production, ethanol will only fuel about 12% of our nation's energy needs. Research has proven that ethanol contributes to global warming by increasing greenhouse gases, consumes precious water used to manufacture it and increases the cost of food by utilizing a commodity used to feed people and livestock. At the present time the cheapest source of energy we have are fossil fuels, natural gas, and coal. To ignore these resources, and rely on green technology that cannot meet our energy needs at present is foolhardy. Humans are not the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and this chimera put forth by enviornmentalists has taken on the ring of truth when in fact nothing could be further from it. Responsible use of proven technology and resources will not endanger the environment, but enhance it for future generations to come. By placing all our bets on a limited technology that cannot meet our needs as fully as current proven technology, we run the risk of endangering not only ourselves but the environment as well.
Posted By: phiomalibumalibu @ 02/22/2008 5:24:45 PM

Comment: Americans WAKE Up and smell the coffee. Dump the gas-guzzlers at AutoGiver.com and get a nice rebate check from from the government. Then buy a hybrid or convert. Don't support foriegn oil consumption.
Posted By: phiomalibumalibu @ 02/22/2008 4:09:00 PM

Comment: I converted to biodiesel. My old benz gets 600 miles on a tankfull. See trafficorganic.com for more information. I think it is better than ethenol
Posted By: sdholbri @ 02/22/2008 3:25:34 PM

Comment: I am not an apologist for ethonal, in fact I think ethonal production from grain has no future at all. However I want to point out the article has serious flaws. Last year about 1% of corn grown in the US was produced in Colorado--I find it implausible that any county in Colorado could be even in the top 100 counties for corn production. Also only a small portion of corn grown in the US is irrigated. Someone needs to check their sources.
Posted By: cherokeerose @ 02/22/2008 2:49:55 PM

Comment: here's one for the'kelp' farmers..then whatcha gonna do when the kelp runs out........cricket...cricket
Posted By: Brian_S_2008 @ 02/22/2008 2:15:21 PM

Comment: The answer to our future fuel needs will be in large scale sea-farming. Scientists are already developing technology to convert seaweed and kelp into fuel. It's apparently much more efficient than corn or even sugar based ethanol. We will one day have massive seaweed/kelp "fields" stacked one on top of another in the deep ocean. I have seen the models. We won't have to purchase any land because nobody owns the ocean. We won't have to worry about too much land being used. No fertilization or watering will be needed. The ocean naturally provides what we need. Scientists have even said this can be done in a very clean way and have very little impact on sea life. Companies are already spending the money to develop this, but what they really need are large federal grants to make it happen, and the will of our government to truly get us off our oil addiction. We can become the greatest producer and exporter of energy in the world, and benefit our environment in the process.
- Posted By: cherokeerose @ 02/22/2008 14:50:27
  
  Comment: whats the plan for when the kelp runs out...cricket...cricket....
  - Posted By: Brian_S_2008 @ 02/22/2008 15:36:47
    
    Comment: To grow more....
    
    That's like asking what happens when the trees run out. Um, you grow more. It's a replenishable resource. It's a fuel source that will never run out unless you stop re-planting.
Posted By: Brian_S_2008 @ 02/22/2008 2:12:36 PM

Comment: The answer to our future fuel needs will be in large scale sea-farming. Scientists are already developing technology to convert seaweed and kelp into fuel. It's apparently much more efficient than corn or even sugar based ethanol. We will one day have massive seaweed/kelp "fields" stacked one on top of another in the deep ocean. I have seen the models. We won't have to purchase any land because nobody owns the ocean. We won't have to worry about too much land being used. No fertilization or watering will be needed. The ocean naturally provides what we need. Scientists have even said this can be done in a very clean way and have very little impact on sea life. Companies are already spending the money to develop this, but what they really need are large federal grants to make it happen, and the will of our government to truly get us off our oil addiction. We can become the greatest producer and exporter of energy in the world, and benefit our environment in the process.
Posted By: myearth @ 02/22/2008 1:52:39 PM

Comment: Ethanol is oounded good but no one considered the real cost in terms of resources. Lobbyist for commercial farming got these laws passed. Now we are looking at damages including water waste, rapidly increasing dead zones, increased prices for food. Of course, conservation of energy and improved efficiency are a low priority. Who wants to cut back when you look oh so cool in that hummer?
Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 02/22/2008 12:34:30 PM

Comment: Would it really be so bad for the US to just attack Canada and take all their natural resources?

If we give them a big area where they can go watch hockey and drink beer, they probably wouldn't even mind.
- Posted By: cherokeerose @ 02/22/2008 14:51:15
  
  Comment: how naive can you be....
  - Posted By: Brian_S_2008 @ 02/22/2008 15:37:54
    
    Comment: Lighten up. It was an obvious joke.
Posted By: WorldCitizen @ 02/22/2008 10:03:47 AM

Comment: Here in Minnesota, a mandated 10% ethanol in gasoline results in a 3% to 5% decrease in fuel mileage for cars and trucks. This is a product that requires more energy to produce than it creates and needs massive state and federal subsidies for success. It appears to be primarily agricultural welfare. Search "ethanol BTU" for some interesting details.
Posted By: HoltRam40 @ 02/22/2008 9:42:03 AM

Comment: So then what does that mean in the way of Ethanol fuels efficiency is it so inefficient that they are no longer going to try and produce it.
Posted By: timrogers @ 02/21/2008 6:10:40 PM

Comment: Water in recent years has become more valuable than either the crops grown or the land they are grown upon, but the water wars have simmered throughout the region for decades, and the drought will only intensify the disputes. Only when the water is completely gone will there be agreement. Among the farmers, politicians,and city dwellers the chorus will rise across the west " it wasn't our fault".
Posted By: MountainHigh @ 02/21/2008 4:53:20 PM

Comment: I have to agree to many of these comments that corn based ethanol is not a long term answer. Between diesel use to plant and harvest the crop not to mention the energy required to run the irrigation systmems, energy used in the refining process, and transportation, net energy gained is in best case scenarios near zero and in many real world situations a negative. Yes, corn can be grown cheaper in the true corn belt, but if you are a farmer who has been scraping by on $2 corn or $4 wheat for the past twenty years and finally have an oppurtunity to make a little money of course you are going to plant more acreage, whether you are in the corn belt or another agriculture part of the US. This has many consequences, including but not limited to historic highs in the wheat market ($18.53/bu) last week (due to more acres in corn less in wheat). This will show as an increase in prices for flour, bread etc. The costs of other food goods beef, poultry, pork, and other fed animals will also dramatically increase. Another enviromental concern is hundreds of thousands of acres of CRP are being taken out so that grain crops can be grown. This will result in a loss of wetlands and habitat for native species. As a free market farmer if the gov't wants to pay me for not growing crops that is great, but if I can make 4-10 times more replanting that acreage it makes sense for me to do it. For those not from the West water has been a source of contention for th last 150 years. Yes, agriculture uses a lot of water but with signicant increases in irrigation technologies it takes 90% less water to irrigate an acre of land today than it did in the 1950's, and fewer acres are actually being farmed in the US than in the 50's. The major problems is the huge increase in water usage in urban areas and a cyclical drought that has lasted nearly a decade. We may very well be facing a water crisis in a vast portion of the US, but it is not agricultures fault alone. Don't blame the farmers they are just trying to finally make a buck and keep all of your supermarkets filled with affordable food. Corn ethanol policy is not the long term answer for our energy needs. One final note is that it is very likely that this will be just another cycle in the crop acreage issue. As more acres are planted, and as ethanol plants fail at the expected rate, the market will adjust downward, prices will drop, and acreage will again be take out of use.
Posted By: kebo @ 02/21/2008 4:15:13 PM

Comment: There are other sources to make ethanol besides corn. One is a grass that requires less water, is only planted once and produces the product for ethanol for years. It means only one operation, which saves fuel used to produce the product.
Arluvene
Posted By: kswake @ 02/21/2008 4:05:53 PM

Comment: Yuma county is one of the top three corn producing counties in the country, this is the way our families support their children. As a fifth generation resident of this wonderful area, I am one of very many worried residents about our resources and the water table dropping. Unless drastic measures are taken the GREAT PLAINS will dry up, and the nation will be thrust into another "dust bowl". Until it effects the entire nation, it will not be addressed properly.
Posted By: Petera @ 02/21/2008 4:01:35 PM

Comment: Ethanol is just another example of politicians making poor policy decisions based on making the ignorant electorate feel good to get themselves re-elected instead of good science-based policy that is actually good for the country.
Posted By: Jeffbunge @ 02/21/2008 4:00:16 PM

Comment: Not to completely call out Newsweek, but are they just filling space with this story? Jobs are going over seas at record rates and we're really concerned about the slight shortage in water that an increase in demand for corn will cause? I tend to think that major stimuli's for the American economy fall into the plus column.
Posted By: Jeffbunge @ 02/21/2008 3:59:24 PM

Comment: Not to completely call out Newsweek, but are they just filling space with this story? Jobs are going over seas at record rates and we're really concerned about the slight shortage in water that an increase in demand for corn will cause? I tend to think that major stimuli's for the American economy fall into the plus column.
Posted By: gobears1 @ 02/21/2008 3:48:33 PM

Comment: Excuse my stupidity, but what I want to know is this... Given the massive rush to plant, grow, and harvest corn, or any other "green" fuel... how much ADDITIONAL fossil fuel pollutants are being pumped into the atmosphere by the equipment needed to grow "green" fuel?? Have there been any studies to determine the answer to that question?
- Posted By: fiber artist @ 02/21/2008 16:42:42
  
  Comment: Yes, every major study and the administration keeps ignoring them, has shown that growing corn and other things like sugar cane for ethanol, acutally puts more carbon dioxide in the air, uses more water, uses more fuel to ship to its destination since it can't use pipelines like oil can and you use more of it in your vehicle. It is actually a negative impact any way you slice it on the environment - just a short term boost to a few lucky farmers or "big corn" conglomerates that today dominate our "farming". The answer is: population control, less driving, smaller vehicles.
Posted By: phiomalibumalibu @ 02/21/2008 3:37:31 PM

Comment: There are many sites on the internet that made me start thinking about using less of the worlds resources:
some of them are trafficorganic.com ecohouseinfo.com sunlighttech.com and for donating your gaz-guzzler there is always AutoGiver.com
- Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 02/22/2008 12:36:20
  
  Comment: Trafficorganic.com is run by a communist who believes no one should have vehicles but himself, or so I've heard...
Posted By: mhull1 @ 02/21/2008 3:00:01 PM

Comment: Hey lets jump on the bash ethanol bandwagon!! Just because their is a subset of farmers out in the DESERT who are using the areas natural resources to grow a crop in a UNSUSTAINABLE manner does not mean its ethanol's fault. Where are the policy makers who should be regulating the use of the limited supply of water? One farmer uses it to grow corn, another wheat. OH - eating bread SUCKS THE WATER FROM THE WEST!!! There is plenty of water in the real "corn belt".
- Posted By: sherry855 @ 02/22/2008 17:09:40
  
  Comment: Iowa is in the "real Corn Belt" and is in a drought. They now have to use irrigation to provide water to their corn crop. If you want to eat, support the farmer- Otherwise start planting a garden in your beemer trunk.
Posted By: PeakOilBoy @ 02/21/2008 2:44:16 PM

Comment: David Blume debunks these myths in "Alcohol Can Be A Gas." You mention "Waste" that must be "disposed". That waste is the dried distillers grains left over after removing the starch from corn, which can then be used to feed cattle. Also, the article assumes that corn is the only answer... it is not! Permaculture and polyculture farming can be used. Besides, mining Oil Shale takes up 99% more water than ethanol
Posted By: PeakOilBoy @ 02/21/2008 2:44:02 PM

Comment: David Blume debunks these myths in "Alcohol Can Be A Gas." You mention "Waste" that must be "disposed". That waste is the dried distillers grains left over after removing the starch from corn, which can then be used to feed cattle. Also, the article assumes that corn is the only answer... it is not! Permaculture and polyculture farming can be used. Besides, mining Oil Shale takes up 99% more water than ethanol production.

Also, this article assumes corn is the only answer for making alcohol fue
Posted By: xmissile @ 02/21/2008 2:30:41 PM

Comment: The process of turning corn into ethanol requires about 1,700 gallons of water for every 1 gallon of ethanol produced. Additionally, each gallon of ethanol leaves behind 12 gallons of waste that must be disposed.

Folks, ethanol is not the answer by any stretch. If we nudge its throttle full speed ahead, I predict that by 2020 many regions, particulary the mid-West-West, will be paralyzed by water shortages. Tell your congressman that we need to drop the subsidies.
Posted By: brooky12 @ 02/21/2008 2:29:01 PM

Comment: I own a corn stove and have seen the price of corn skyrocket because of the ethanol boom. It just doesn't make senase that we would consume all the water and natural gas to produce energy when we could consume the corn as it is in it's natural state. The price of consumer goods / food are soaring because of this stupid goverment idea that we will be self suficient will oil? Wind power or nuclear are the way to go here!
Posted By: brooky12 @ 02/21/2008 2:27:03 PM

Comment: I own a corn stove and have seen the price of corn skyrocket because of the ethanol boom. It just doesn't make senase that we would consume all the water and natural gas to produce energy when we could consume the corn as it is in it's natural state. The price of consumer goods / food are soaring because of this stupid goverment idea that we will be self suficient will oil? Wind power or nuclear are the way to go here!
Posted By: ljw54321 @ 02/21/2008 1:52:24 PM

Comment: let me see if I understand....they're proposing to pump water out of the "lake" that is he Olalla aquifier, send it through a pipeline, and pump the water back into the lake. and this is done to allow someone else to pump the water back out again. Are they so blinded by greed that they don't understand how ridiculous this is?
Posted By: Sdfitzgerald4 @ 02/21/2008 1:48:30 PM

Comment: Living in Orange County and by now having recycled toilet water coming out of our taps, I don't see why corn can't enjoy the same lovely water we here in Orange County do.
Posted By: networkgeek @ 02/21/2008 1:24:18 PM

Comment: We are more concerned about the short term rather than the long term, whether it be corn, oil or profits. A process needs to be put in place to plan for usage and growth. If we don???t pay attention to what we are doing, there will be many more who will pay for what the few are doing???stop looking at what it will cost in the short term to solve the problem and solve the problem. It will cost far less in the long run???
Posted By: HotScottish @ 02/21/2008 1:21:10 PM

Comment: Cellulosic ethanol is NOT the "only real environmentally friendly, sustainable ethanol production method." In fact, corn stover's theoretical yield per dry ton of feedstock is 113.0 gallons. The corn yield is 124.4 gallons per dry ton (www1.eere.energy.gov). The assumptions of any claim of ethanol stability should be heavily investigated because any type of ethanol becomes less sustainable in regions requiring high fertilizer input and forced irrigation (i.e., out west). Perhaps we should take a look at conservation of energy... both thermodynamics and our own consumption of energy. Ethanol is marginal in Iowa, why on earth should we be producing it in Colorado?
Posted By: prmittal @ 02/21/2008 1:17:11 PM

Comment: Cellulostic ethanol is the only real environmentally friendly, sustainable ethanol production method. It is much more efficient than corn based ethanol, and doesn't have an impact on the food supply.
Posted By: Yabecoo @ 02/21/2008 1:13:13 PM

Comment: I'm at a lost to understand the ethanol from corn hype that seems to be the latest green power buzz. We can't grow enough to supply our needs and end our foreign oil dependency no matter how much we grow. There isn't enough land!! This is just another plan for big agribusiness to reap billions at the consumer???s expense. The only upside if there is one is hopefully the billions aren't going to countries that finance groups that want to destroy us. Any organic vegetable material that decomposes can be made into ethanol. I suggest we take the crap being fed to us by all our elected leaders from both parties (not just Bush, they're all guilty) that are more worried about what agribusiness is going to grease their re election war chest than the needs of the people. We'll never run out of fuel.
Posted By: prmittal @ 02/21/2008 1:03:48 PM

Comment: Cellulostic ethanol should be the only choice for sustainable, efficient, food supply neutral ethanol production .
Posted By: prmittal @ 02/21/2008 1:02:14 PM

Comment: Cellulostic ethanol is the only real environmentally friendly, sustainable ethanol production method. It is much more efficient than corn based ethanol, and doesn't have an impact on the food supply.
Posted By: Rudy in California @ 02/21/2008 12:34:51 PM

Comment: It sounds like another, damn the torpedo's full spead ahead assault on the environment.. The idea of profit at all costs is going to end some day. It may be drawing to a close as we speak. What vital resource is not scarce or running low. Oh well, history will just add that ethanol idea to the long list of failed short sighted and ignorant Bush ideas..
Posted By: sandtoast500 @ 02/21/2008 12:32:35 PM

Comment: Large scale monocropping (field containing only one species of crop year after year) is immensely damaging to soil quality (after the soil is degridated, no more agriculture of any sort) and water supply, as this article points out. Local, small scale farmers are systematically being taken off their land by highly subsidized, large-scale agrobusinesses around the globe in the name of short term profit, while long term damage to the land, but ultimately to society is being ignored. Agrofuels are not the answer to our energy problem, unless done on a smaller, sustainable scale, like communities using waste products for local use. Why do Americans not realize that no matter what energy source, our consumption can not be satiated and is not sustainable. Why? Because our capitalist system has been so corrupted by greedy, immune corporations that if we stop consuming even slightly, our economy will tank hard and who will bear the brunt of that recession? The working people who should have the power to control this system. It's going to take some serious large changes to get our country back on track economically and environmentally, but I don't have any confidence that anyone in Washington, or national politics for that matter, would do what is actually right for the country and not for their lobbyists.

clairesolt- Aquifer recharge is a good idea, but the problem is that recharge rates are only so quick- as quick as water can enter through a few miles of sandstone at the recharge zone along the front range. Which is not that quick, or at least not a fast as we're using it, for sure. Plus, pipelines are not energy efficient. Land use in a certain area should be determined by what can be done there, using what is there, sustainably.

Shandog- exactly right. I don't even want to get into beef.

universal- Horrible argument, man. An all nuclear energy policy is not a viable answer. It has many problems of its own. We'd be trading bad for bad, and spending a lot of money doing for no gains. And as for your veiled racism regarding immigration- If it weren't for those desperate, displaced immigrant peasant laborers, created from NAFTA in the name of profit, our economy would have crashed a decade ago. Their contribution to our economy will end up paying for your retirement, yet you despise them for it? All because you think they're just draining our energy and benefits? This is simply not the case. Who will do your backbreaking work for minimum wage? Who is the base of our economy, driving corporate profits? Many times it is your friend, the illegal immigrant, poorly used as a scapegoat for societal problems.
Posted By: JimmyCrackhorn @ 02/21/2008 12:30:07 PM

Comment: Fresh water in the gulf is not wasted it is part of the ecology that feeds the entire fishery of the Gulf. Only problem now is the water is loaded with nitrogen from fertilizers and pollution runoff from urban areas and it creates massive dead zones. Perhaps you can augment the Ogallala and that's not a bad idea frankly but I think it is dangerous to say that runoff into the Gulf is wasted.......watch as the Baja fisheries slowly die off because the fresh water and nutrients of the COlorado no longer reach the ocean....you have to learn to live within your means and not demand so much of the natural world for yourself and begin to think of yourself as a part of the natural world within which you are surrounded and yet pretend you are not...
Posted By: JimmyCrackhorn @ 02/21/2008 12:25:58 PM

Comment: Las Vegas consumes more water than farmers do but because it's m,ostly large corproate/publicly traded companies that run Vegas and all the chain stores and sshopping there they think they have first rights to the water in eastern Nevada. Tell you what people it's high time to change the way we consumer our resources and start stretching things out because last time I checked it wasn't raining all that much in Georgia or Alabama either. California needs to invest in massive xcesalienization plants if they are going to provide water for their citizens. And the problem with most Americans is they are fat and lazy, spoiled rotton. Most countries would build trains to carry people and they they either take a cab ride a bik or walk wherever they are going. Try looking at Japan for solutions they have done a masterful job at living within their means and they have infrastructure galore MADE FOR HUMANS NOT WAR MACHINES.

Oh and Ethanol is not the answer to anything unless it is cellose bassed and can get 8 to 10 times the petro from carbon material.
- Posted By: tool-fan @ 02/21/2008 15:29:49
  
  Comment: Japan? What? Don't they have to wear masks outside due to the polluted air? Not to mention overpopulation. Not a sterling example of living within a country's means.
Posted By: cacole3 @ 02/21/2008 12:25:17 PM

Comment: The Ogallala Aquifer passes directly under the Missouri River north of Pierre, South Dakota. If reverse wells were drilled to drain water from the Missouri River into the Ogallala Aquifer there would never be a shortage of water. Presently the Missouri River meets the Mississippi River and all that water goes to waste in the Gulf of Mexico.
Posted By: cacole3 @ 02/21/2008 12:22:33 PM

Comment: The Ogallala Aquifer runs directly under the Missouri River north of Pierre, South Dakota. If reverse wells were drilled to drain water from the Missouri River directly into the Ogallala Aquifer there would never be a shortage of water in the aquifer. The Missouri runs into the Mississippi River and goes directly to waste in the Gulf of Mexico.
Posted By: rcy12 @ 02/21/2008 11:54:01 AM

Comment: ethanol just another "BUSH" blunder just one of many - anyone that thinks is a bridge to a better form of energy is smoking crack - to quote T. Boone Pickens "water is the next oil" and i dont doubt him do you ????? - as we start to see serve strains on our water supplies and the credit crissis which is getting worse by the day does it bring to mind the "D" word - how is that for a hot sports opinion - craig in dallas
Posted By: rcy12 @ 02/21/2008 11:52:28 AM

Comment: ethanol just another "BUSH" blunder just one of many - anyone that thinks is a bridge to a better form of energy is smoking crack - to quote T. Boone Pickens "water is the next oil" and i dont doubt him do you ????? - as we start to see serve strains on our water supplies and the credit crissis which is getting worse by the day does it bring to mind the "D" word - how is that for a hot sports opinion - craig in dallas
Posted By: roadrunner @ 02/21/2008 11:39:00 AM

Comment: Wake up Americans, water is our life, because when we are out of water, we all die, and all the money in the world won't help anyone. We need to protect our water at all costs. There are other alternative fuel sources that can be tapped. Besides, the automakers have had the technology since the 1950's to build vehicles that will get 50-100 miles or more per gallon, but because of their greed, they refuse to put it out here. They want us all to pay $100.00 to fill our tanks at the pumps, and we don't do something quickly, they will get it.
Posted By: Shandog @ 02/21/2008 11:29:47 AM

Comment: Actually, they've been cutting down trees in the Amazon for years to clear land to raise cattle, but nobody much cared about that, becaust it was beef. Adamson is looking at another huge water suck every day- cattle. Nearly half of the water consumed in the US is used to irrigate land for raising cattle. You need to take a look at the resources that are dedicated to raising cattle before you argue that raising corn for ethanol is a bad idea. Sustainable, renewable energy IS homeland security.
- Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/21/2008 11:41:00
  
  Comment: They have also been cutting down the rain forest for cocain and condo's, and I would guess you cared about that even less...
Posted By: clairesolt @ 02/21/2008 11:28:11 AM

Comment: My mother worried about the Ogalla aquifer 30 years ago. Then, the complaint was the wheat farmers.
I think it would be great, if we would build a pipeline to divert spring flooding in tMissippi river away from MN and IA to drier land. they have so much snow this year, it would be a good time to refill that aquifer.
Posted By: Shandog @ 02/21/2008 11:23:35 AM

Comment: Adamson is looking at another huge water suck every day- cattle. More than half of the water consumed in the US is used to irrigate land for raising cattle. Factor in the energy that the beef industry consumes and the rapid deforestation that's occuring in Third World contries to clear land to raise cattle and you'll realize that raising cattle has a far more detrimental effect on the environment that raising corn for ethanol. As far as misappropriating public resources goes, it's a travesty that cattle are allowed to graze on public land in the West. But somehow the beef industry has been given a free ride because it's been around so long. Think about that when you order your next hamburger.
- Posted By: tex17 @ 02/21/2008 12:06:47
  
  Comment: Where exactly in the West is it that you think cattle are grazing on public land? Even if they were where's the travesty in that?
  - Posted By: donboyles @ 02/22/2008 15:57:34
    
    Comment: Cattle are grazing on public land in almost every western state, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon. These cattle belong to private cattle owners but are raised on land maintained by the public tax dollar. The travesty in that is: This is a form of corporated welfare. Personally , I believe we should do away ALL welfare immediately. After the mass starvation starts to hit those living on the dole the saved tax dollars can be used to pay for the increase in Military expenditures needed to herd these starving lazy masses into a consolodated federal workforce used to build and rebuild Americas infrastructure (paid for, again by the 'saved' tax dollars). All of this would help bolster the economy and increase National security.
    
    As for ethanol...it is not THE solution to weaning the US from dependency on foreign powers for our energy needs but is ONE OF the steps toward that solution. As cited by others, a resurgence in nuclear power and other alternative energy sources is needed.
Posted By: universal @ 02/21/2008 11:14:21 AM

Comment: America is on the verge of cultural and economic disintegration. If we didn't promote immigration and prevented over 30 million illegals from enterin the country we wouldn't have an energy demand problem. If we had converted all of the electric generating capacity to nuclear we wouldn't have an energy and a pollution problem and we wouldn't now have a water problem and an eventual massive population shift problem leading to an volatile and potentially violent social problem. Who said America is the land of plenty? Plenty of trouble maybe!
Posted By: NMGliderPilot @ 02/21/2008 11:02:27 AM

Comment: Sorry, "The_Defender", but desalinization consumes massive quantities of energy resulting in more eco damage. Until we can develop a cheap source of power (fusion/solar/wind/wave/etc), this is (pardon the pun) just a pipe dream. And as Eastern New Mexico is considering, building a pipeline to move water from one area to another is rather ridiculous, especially since the water at the source is very finite. At best piping is merely a temporary patch that will only exacerbate the issue...
Posted By: Bill Smith @ 02/21/2008 11:01:21 AM

Comment: Only fools think ethanol is the answer. It takes more energy to make ethanol than what you get out of it. It is a heavily subsidized industry. In other words, money stolen from taxpayers goes to the farmers to make it "appear" cheaper and "greener".
Posted By: Bill Smith @ 02/21/2008 11:00:20 AM

Comment: Only fools think ethanol is the answer. It takes more energy to make ethanol than what you get out of it. It is a heavily subsidized industry. In other words, money stolen from taxpayers goes to the farmers to make it "appear" cheaper and "greener".
Posted By: mw1964 @ 02/21/2008 10:59:20 AM

Comment: Try being a midwest vegetable farmer. My fertilizer costs have skyrocketed, my land rental is out of this world, and I can't buy a new tractor to upgrade my aging fleet because ethanol prices have effected all of these too. Pretty soon food prices will increase because of the ethanol boom, they all ready should have.
Posted By: NMGliderPilot @ 02/21/2008 10:58:16 AM

Comment: Sorry "The_Defender", but the amount of energy required for desalinization just causes other issues. Until we develop clean fusion energy or some other low-cost power source, this is just a (pardon the pun) pipe dream...
Posted By: mw1964 @ 02/21/2008 10:55:25 AM

Comment: Water is the problem in the west. As a Midwest vegetable farmer I have the problem of inflating land and fertilizer costs, as well as nearly 100% increases in tractor prices. Ethanol has made it nearly impossible for a vegetable or fruit farmer to turn a profit, because we haven't seen the same price surge corn has seen in the last few years, our price is actually dropping.
Posted By: hunterboy02 @ 02/21/2008 10:41:30 AM

Comment: The average joe can see this is the a step in the wrong direction. Just who is pushing this for financial gain???????
Posted By: The_Defender @ 02/21/2008 10:40:37 AM

Comment: I have an idea: Let's desalinate ocean water. With global warming melting icecaps, the threat of rising ocean levels is increasing. By using ocean water, we are effictively draining the problem. And all is well.....
Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/21/2008 10:16:37 AM

Comment: First they start cutting down the Rain Forest to grow more corn. Now we are importing wheat so we can grow more corn. The fertilizer run-off from the corn fields is now killing the Gulf of Mexico (too much nitrogen). And to grow that corn we are using all of our water. Ethanol requires more energy to produce than gasoline. And per MPG, more ehtanol is required than gasoline. So how are we helping the planet? Thanks algore...

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