or al-Queda and al-Exxon
That's a false choice. We have more than enough petroleum, natural gas and coal to be energy independent. The problem has always been the government trying to keep us from developing and using the resources we have. Making ethanol requires the expenditure of large amounts of fossil fuels, not to mention the amount of water, fertilizer, etc.
Is ethanol a good alternative energy source? It appears that is an open question, with supporters and detractors. What is NOT in question is that the Federal government should not be involved. If ethanol is a good product, it will have a market and willing buyers without a mandate.
It is amazing to me to see the number of people arguing for government mandates. Most of the people here would say they opposed Obamacare, but are now supporting the ethanol mandate - primarily because Trump is supporting it. It goes to prove the point that most Trump supporters are not conservative nor constitutionalists - they are populists and libertarians that are trying to pass as conservatives.
You are aware ETOH blend has been available in the Midwest since the 1970s right? Hitler ran a good portion of his war machine on ETOH. Did you know that?