Ethanol sucking up corn

AP:

Ethanol production in the United States is growing so quickly that, for the first time, farmers expect to sell as much corn this year to ethanol plants as they do overseas.

Grist relies on the support of generous readers like you to cover the stories that matter most. Thank you for donating.

• One Time
• Monthly

• $120
• $180
• Other
• Donate

• $10
• $15
• Other
• Donate

Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

Did this article feel meaningful?

Make others like it possible: Give now in under 45 seconds.

• One Time 💚
• Monthly

• $120
• $180 💚
• Other
• Donate

• $10
• $15 💚
• Other
• Donate

Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

“It’s the most stunning development in agricultural markets today – I can’t think of anything else quite like this,” says Keith Collins, the U.S. Agriculture Department’s chief economist.

The amount of corn used for ethanol, estimated at 2.15 billion bushels this year, would amount to about 20 percent of the nation’s crop, according to department projections.

To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How

And remember, this is with ethanol still serving only a tiny fraction of our liquid-fuel needs. What if there really were an E85 station on every corner?