I was very pleased to see the article by Greg Breining [“Five Reasons Corn Ethanol Won’t Save the Planet,” January–February]. Most people accept that corn is a transition fuel source that will not be the best choice as we invest more in research and trials of the more sustainable plant fuel crops. The ethanol industry has proven that farmers can make money on homegrown fuel sources, but we need plants that make more sense for all the reasons that Mr. Breining states.

I value clean water, I value habitat, I value soils. Transition to the next phase of plant-based fuels will give those who live on the land a chance to add tremendous value to their lives and to society. In the meantime, let’s remember that conservation is the first goal. It is still the best bang for the buck and saves on fuels from all sources.
Charlotte Brooker (B.S. ’69, M.A. ’83)
Maplewood, Minnesota

I grew up on a working grazing dairy farm and have seen firsthand the benefits of grass over rowed crops. The increase in land values, productivity, species diversity, and soil quality have been concretely measured and completely enjoyed. Please keep printing articles like this. It’s good to hear in a larger forum what I believe myself.
Inga Haugen
Minneapolis

I’m a rancher in Colorado and take exception to the erroneous conclusions by Mr. Breining. I raise hay myself and you cannot routinely harvest prairie grasses without, year after year, giving something back. Nature will replenish it over time, but think about it. You cannot harvest something from nothing. I am sorry Mr. Breining goes on to attack Archer Daniels Midland and Governor Tim Pawlenty with a basically false premise. Please correct this, hopefully, oversight.
Al Iversen (B.S. ’74, M.S. ’75)
Canon City, Colorado

Editor’s Note: The researchers cited in the corn ethanol story agree with the letter writer that certain nutrient inputs may be needed in prairie biomass production. Their paper, titled “Carbon Negative Biofuels from Low-Input High-Diversity Grassland Biomass,” emphasizes low nutrient inputs. They say this warrants further study, however, citing cases in which unfertilized prairie has been harvested from fields for years without a loss of yield.

I find it amusing that we criticize ethanol for creating 25 percent to 30 percent more energy than it consumes. This might be lower than some other energy sources, but if we found a financial opportunity with the same proven returns we would invest all we had. In addition, new technologies are being developed that result in more ethanol per bushel of grain with less energy required, improving the energy equation. Similarly, why are we complaining about a 12 percent reduction in greenhouse gasses? Silver bullets are in high demand but often difficult to find.

Corn ethanol has blazed a path that makes cellulose ethanol much more feasible. It has built the supply chain and political momentum to get ethanol into the American gas tank. Large scale corn ethanol has taken decades to accomplish this feat at the objection of the petroleum industry. These are hurdles that cannot be overcome with grant money, and the importance of this infrastructure cannot be overlooked.

We may never be able to grow enough corn to eliminate our need for petroleum, but we are producing over 5 billion gallons of corn ethanol today and will add at least 6 billion gallons more in the next two years. While I am all in favor of the promise of cellulose ethanol, it remains a thing of the future with many hurdles left to clear—far fewer hurdles than it would face without the path blazed by corn ethanol.
Marc Paulson (B.S. ’96, M.B.A. ’02)
Overland Park, Kansas

Maybe It’s a Coffee Th ing

Thanks for your very thoughtful and thought-provoking editor’s note [“Deliberate Dialogue,” January–February]. I lived in a coffee-producing country for 14 years and the ceremony surrounding roasting, brewing, and drinking this wonderful liquid was definitely connected to dialogue and relationships. Your editorial ignited my “homesickness” for both the ritual of the coffee ceremony and the many people with whom I experienced true conversation!
Jolene Baker (B.S.N. ’78)
New Hope, Minnesota