Free Republic

The clock is ticking on public acceptance of ethanol as the United States’ corn-based industry is under relentless attack. With cellulosic conversion technologies as the ostensible lone saving grace for ethanol, Biomass Magazine takes a look at what fruits the first-quarter ‘08 produced.

FARGO (AP) - Work continues on three ethanol plants in North Dakota, despite a downturn in prices and the temporary shutdown of another plant. Tharaldson Ethanol near Casselton and U.S. BioEnergy near Hankinson are to begin operations next year, to refine 100 million gallons of fuel a year from corn.

Another law a bad idea Ethanol as a fuel additive may be here to stay thanks to federal tax credits and the high price of oil, but that doesn't mean it should be mandated by government as well.