Editorial: Hard choices coming

Opinion: The Goshen (Ind.) News

The bloom is off ethanol’s rose.

It wasn’t so long ago that corn-based ethanol was a can’t-lose proposition.

Running vehicles on ethanol was good for the environment. Ethanol would lead to greater U.S. energy independence. And American farmers would make money on the deal.

Fast-forward to this week and a U.S. House hearing on how ethanol factors in to rising food costs. Many lawmakers are sounding more cautionary tones.

Ethanol still has proponents. They question the link between ethanol and food prices. In a period of rising gasoline prices, they doubt the wisdom of cutting ethanol production.

Fair enough. However, careful observers have long noted that ethanol wouldn’t be a cure-all. For starters, the fuel would reduce but hardly eliminate America’s demand for foreign oil. They pointed out that ethanol production itself uses considerable energy. Plus, the agriculture-friendly ethanol ideal hinges on whether farmers are growing corn or using it for livestock feed.

Ethanol supporters urge patience. Ethanol sources besides corn are in the works, they promise. Again, fair enough. Still, the whole food or fuel debate tends to leave out a key component: Demand.

Alternative fuel is an issue because Americans — to say nothing of developing nations — guzzle fuel like swine at a trough. Reckless consumption is almost a status symbol. Why use less when more is available, if only temporarily?