BioLunacy [no, it doesn't mean seeing the light]

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Report Blames Biofuels for Food Crisis

LONDON - Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75 percent -- far more than previously estimated -- according to a confidential World Bank report published in a British newspaper on Friday. The assessment is based on a detailed analysis by Don Mitchell, an internationally respected economist at the Washington-based global financial body, the Guardian said.

[again, an object lesson: few ideas have so quickly been proven so disastrously wrong - yet watch how long it takes government to react {i.e.,, remove all biofuel subsidies}. Health Care anyone?]

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Britain says to slow introduction of biofuels

LONDON - The British government said on Monday it would slow the introduction of biofuels to address concerns that switching the use of land could push up food prices. (Snip) Critics say diverting land from food crops to produce biofuels has helped push up global food prices and in some cases has led to the destruction of rain forests.

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TEXAS IS FED UP WITH CORN ETHANOL

In 2005, Congress imposed a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate requiring the addition of biofuel in gasoline; in 2008, nine billion gallons of ethanol were required to be blended in, and even more will be required in 2009. As a precautionary measure, Congress gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the power to waive the new mandates if they turn out to have unforeseen, negative consequences.

• In 2004, the cost of corn hovered around $2 per bushel; now it is close to $8.
• In April 2008, Perry asked the EPA to cut the grain-based ethanol mandate in half for one year.
• In response, the agency opened a comment period and received more than 15,000 comments, most of which supported the request.

But in August 2008, the EPA decided to deny the request. The EPA claims that the mandates are not causing sufficient damage to warrant action.

If forcing Texas ranchers to close their doors because they can no longer feed their livestock is not sufficient damage to warrant action, than what is?

The United States should follow Texas's lead and begin developing technology that makes use of nonfood energy sources.

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