Is cost of ethanol worth the price savings?

Currently, ethanol gasoline sells for $3.19 and regular sells for $3.29 in Eastern Iowa. This is a savings of 10 cents per gallon. Some 40 percent of Iowa's corn acreage is devoted to the growth of corn for ethanol. This requires lots of nitrogen fertilizer, which interferes with sustainable habitat, unlike native grasses. The various aspects of ethanol production produce the CO2 that is under consideration for carbon capture pipelines.

Very many farmers are against having their land torn up for trenches that interfere with soil and water. But the GOP Senate has been unable so far to bring the landowners' objections to the floor. (HF565)

These companies hope for tax credits from the pipelines, which do not capture all of the CO2. The Wolf company that will cross Linn County, is an investment firm from Canada. Will the gas that is to be buried in Illinois going to stay underground, or could it possibly leak in future years?

Is all this disruption worth it for 10 cents a gallon?

Sonia Ettinger

Iowa City