Last September I wrote a letter to Senator Charles E. Schumer about research projects based on the production of corn ethanol which is actually more of a pollutant then "Environmentally Friendly" when manufactured in to a bio fuel. Another part of my letter explained that there would a limited amount of production yield to manufacturing of corn ethanol and thus it will endanger American farmers and the economy as a whole in future prices and limited amount of corn nation wide and internationaly. This was the response I received that was sent to me which I agree with.
Dear Mr. Guerra:
Thank you for your letter regarding corn ethanol production. I share your concerns about the potential negative effects of this technology, and I am working to protect our environment and economy from any potential damage that it might cause.
Ethanol made from corn has been sold to the public as a panacea – as a “green” source of energy, and one that will secure America’s future by finally making us “energy independent.” Unfortunately, the rosy picture painted of corn ethanol by Midwestern corn conglomerates is not accurate. Rather than being environmentally friendly, the production of corn ethanol releases as much carbon into the atmosphere as traditional petroleum fuels. Furthermore, corn production introduces pesticides and fertilizers into the environment. And far from promoting energy independence, the shipping and manufacturing of corn ethanol requires as much petroleum as it takes to make the ethanol itself. Finally, our rush to produce ethanol has diverted corn away from other important uses. Short supplies of corn have put a huge strain on farmers, who are watching the cost of animal feed skyrocket. America’s demand for corn is raising the specter of food shortages throughout the poorer regions of Mexico and Central and South America. The unfortunate truth is that corn ethanol provides no environmental, economic, or security benefit over petroleum, and it raises serious ethical concerns about our obligations towards our neighbors.
But while corn ethanol is not the miracle fuel that we were promised, other plant-based “biofuels” do have the potential to protect the environment and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, without putting strains on American agriculture or other countries’ food supplies. Technology to produce ethanol from cellulosic plant fibers in non-food plants, such as switch grass or trees, is being developed. I am proud that New York is home to several of the most advanced cellulosic-ethanol companies, and I am working to bring federal research grants to these companies and the New York universities with which they work to increase the pace at which they develop the technology that all America needs. I voted for H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Energy to research cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels.
I am excited at the possibility of fuel made from plants, and I look forward to a day when biofuels make up a significant part of America’s energy stock. The faster that we are able to develop cellulosic ethanol and other truly “green” fuels, the sooner we can abandon corn ethanol and return corn production to its best use: food.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this important issue. I hope that you will contact me again if there is ever anything that I can do for you on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
Please do not respond to this email. To send another message please visit my website at http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm . Thank you.
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