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Today in World Opinion: “Adopting the proposed 1-2-3-4-5 renewable energy program would be a step forward”

June 12, 2008

From the Montreal Gazette: “The truth is that ethanol runs on corporate lobbyists convincing governments to subsidize it with tax revenues. Meanwhile, other more sustainable biofuel options get no subsidies despite the fact they produce 700 per cent more net energy gain and carbon dioxide offsets than corn ethanol from each acre of farmland. Adopting the proposed 1-2-3-4-5 renewable energy program would be a step forward. It stands for one national renewable energy-climate change program, $2 per gigajoual (a gigajoual is a measure of energy) for green heat, $3per gigajoual for biogas, $4 per gigajoual for green power and liquid biofuels, and the 5 stands for a required 50 per cent reduction in green house gases before the technology is eligible for the incentive.”

USDA Undersecretary of Rural Development Thomas Dorr: “Unless we fully address the energy price structure that’s impacting agriculture at the same time we address the corn and protein price structure it’s an incomplete approach. According to an Iowa State University study, with oil keeping at current price levels, the reduction of the mandate will have minimal impact on the price of corn. The stark reality is that we are adjusting the price of corn upward. We’re going to see cattle and pork prices substantively higher than what they are today.”

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    Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under Opinion 

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