The spectacular rise in wheat prices is matched by recent record prices for corn and soybeans ("Record wheat price ignites food inflation fears, Feb. 8). All this is the inevitable result of the competition for the same cropland between the world's 800 million or so affluent motorists and 2 billion hungry poor. To feed continuous E-85 ethanol fuel to one average SUV or light truck requires allocating the harvest from 2 acres of Minnesota corn land.
We also learn from University of Minnesota researchers Jason Hill, professor David Tilman and others that ethanol-driven land use changes are hurting the environment more than any benefit from lowered use of fossil fuels ("Study warns of biofuels effect on climate," Feb. 8). All this is occurring at a U.S. ethanol production rate of 7 billion to 8 billion gallons per year. The recent congressional requirement for 36 billion gallons is madness.
ROLF E. WESTGARD
St. Paul
The writer is a professional member of the Geological Society of America and a member of the American Association of Petroleum geologists. (The paper is making me list the AAPG connection because the American Lung Association has protested to it and other papers that I am having too much influence by not disclosing a bias toward the oil & gas industry. The ALA is a big believer in ethanol.)
Rolf is a member of the Macalester Plymouth United Church Caring for Creation Committee.
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Saint Paul, MN 55105