Green groups, GOP hopefuls oppose corn-based ethanol subsidies

Much of the attention on corn-based ethanol has focused on the role that this supposedly renewable fuel is playing in driving up global food prices. Now environmental groups and some conservative politicians are pointing out another problem — corn-based ethanol consumes the bulk of federal funding on renewable energy and the big oil companies that blend the ethanol into gasoline are collecting subsidies to the tune of about $6 billion a year.

Fem-fish linked to production of biofuels, soy milk and BBQ

Most people who fish like a good tussle. But those who prefer less aggressive quarry might try wetting a line downstream from an ethanol plant. A new study of 19 sites in Minnesota and Iowa shows that the production of…

Farm bill is sweet to beet farmers, sugar industry

Minnesota’s sugar industry got a sweet treat from Congress. The new farm bill passed last week guarantees minimum pricing through 2011 and mandates that the government must purchase surplus…

Minnesota doubles down on biofuels

As a growing chorus of voices from all corners begin to question the benefit of agriculturally derived biofuels, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed into law a new biofuel mandate. The

Capitalism consuming itself? Fund investors help inflate food prices

Ethanol critics have widely bashed the corn-based fuel for its role in inflating food prices worldwide. But a fascinating article in Der Spiegel, a German news magazine, says classic supply and demand can’t…

Back Pages: Ethanol debate combusts

Can alternative energy save lives? Stanford University prof Mark Jacobson says yes — except in one case: ethanol. His research, recently presented at the University of Minnesota, suggests…

Ethanol drives soaring Minnesota farm income

Interesting report by Mark Steil of MPR on Minnesota farmers’ soaring incomes — which rose by 70 percent last year, according to a University of Minnesota survey. 

It’s the ethanol, stupid: Steil writes that…

Throwing more fuel on ethanol debate

A new biofuels study that started at the University of Minnesota is getting big attention today in newspapers and the…

Ethanol Advocates Jam KARE-11 Poll

KARE-11′s recent poll on ethanol “must’ve struck a nerve,” the station reports. The Washington Post revealed that after KARE launched a poll asking consumers what they think about E-85, the American Lung Association and the…

Congressional Delegation Weighs In on Energy

The U.S. Senate passed the 2007 energy bill last week, and it now moves back to the House of Representatives for further consideration.  With that in mind, we at Minnesota Monitor took a look at where our state’s representatives stand…