[theBuckwheat]

I cannot eat coal, oil, or oil shale. I can eat corn and sugar cane. At present, the world grows just enough food to feed everyone at present levels of caloric intake. Even then, some people are so poor they cannot afford enough food to satisfy their hunger.

It is worse than foolish to contort the economics of fuels so that fuels made from food is less expensive than fuel made from something we cannot eat. Sadly, in the US, the people who scold us with their heightened expressions of concern for the “poor” are in with the same crowd that prefers we allow the price of some food grains double because of their energy policies.

[Delacon]

“It is worse than foolish to contort the economics of fuels so that fuels made from food is less expensive than fuel made from something we cannot eat. Sadly, in the US, the people who scold us with their heightened expressions of concern for the “poor” are in with the same crowd that prefers we allow the price of some food grains double because of their energy policies.”

Methanol production doesn’t require delving into food supplies. It can be made from methane(the current method), CO2(hello global warming greenies) or ANY KIND OF PLANT MATTER, like wood waste products. Wheat chaff. Grass. Weeds. You name any plant matter that we dont eat and it can be used to make methanol unlike ethanol.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

The U.S. can produce far more grains that it can consume. If we can utilize it for some other reason than food, what is your gripe? Are we now obligated to grovel in the middle east so that we can feed the ungrateful world that could not possibly care less whether we live or die? Just asking.

[rmlew]

coal—>methanol

[Mr. Lucky]

Do you really think Americans are eating too little corn starch?