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Ethanol makers idle plants amid high corn prices Ethanol makers cut back production,

AP -- WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Ethanol makers are cutting production, and some are temporarily idling plants in the Midwest, as corn prices skyrocket and demand for gasoline falls because people are driving less.

More than 95 percent of the nation's ethanol plants use corn starch as their basis for the biofuel. That makes these facilities especially vulnerable to high corn prices in a commodity market nervous about triple-digit temperatures and drought in major corn-growing regions. Most of the more than 200 ethanol plants in the United States are in the Midwest, where most corn is grown.

A glut of the biofuel is squeezing ethanol makers further. The poor economy and high gas prices have people driving less, and ethanol is primarily used in gasoline blends.

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Submitted Jun 30, 2012 By: mastermariner

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MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,848 Points:2,181,650 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:59:52 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Sounds good to me, ethanol make my MPG go down hill.
Daddybud Champion Author North Carolina Posts:6,437 Points:1,393,355 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:59:30 PM Ignore Daddybud Report Abuse ok.
CheapDiesel All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:836 Points:189,995 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:58:53 PM Ignore CheapDiesel Report Abuse They should use this occasion of high corn prices to do away with ethanol once and for all, and get rid of BHO and the EPA too!
commins Champion Author Riverside Posts:2,119 Points:1,079,170 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:58:31 PM Ignore commins Report Abuse No surprise
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:8,674 Points:1,751,745 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:57:45 PM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse Another example of the problems associated with this re-newable option.
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,282 Points:559,080 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:54:54 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse Their other biofuel alternatives besides corn derivitives....absolutely.
bullseye100 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,531 Points:610,030 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:54:42 PM Ignore bullseye100 Report Abuse Ethanol sucks and should have never been in gasoline in the first place.
QualTekGuy Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,178 Points:760,365 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:54:19 PM Ignore QualTekGuy Report Abuse Greed
Piniewoods All-Star Author Jacksonville Posts:892 Points:466,240 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:54:18 PM Ignore Piniewoods Report Abuse Bad news for corn farmers.
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,282 Points:559,080 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:54:02 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse Yes we have to stop using ethanol.....absolutely.
gamalerin Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,882 Points:1,020,010 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:52:59 PM Ignore gamalerin Report Abuse We have to stop using Ethanol.
jdc17327 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,582 Points:199,730 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:48:57 PM Ignore jdc17327 Report Abuse get rid of it all the way!
marinedad1949 Champion Author Lancaster Posts:2,632 Points:531,145 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:46:57 PM Ignore marinedad1949 Report Abuse Ok.
LaVonneK Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,083 Points:654,225 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:46:25 PM Ignore LaVonneK Report Abuse Oh.
bruceha2000 Champion Author Vermont Posts:2,918 Points:1,298,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:41:27 PM Ignore bruceha2000 Report Abuse And what do those high corn prices do to farmers who need to feed their livestock?
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:5,081 Points:1,210,460 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:40:51 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse Not good for cars any way
MrLuigi Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,913 Points:994,385 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:39:06 PM Ignore MrLuigi Report Abuse maybe then they need their "perks" completely taken away
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,183 Points:1,709,665 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:38:19 PM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse I wish ethanol would just go away.
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:36:47 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse ho boy
Ebaz Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,340 Points:737,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:35:29 PM Ignore Ebaz Report Abuse No surprise
kosciak Champion Author Hartford Posts:1,106 Points:555,275 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:34:20 PM Ignore kosciak Report Abuse Ok
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,322 Points:716,955 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:33:15 PM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Wow didn't see that coming.
TheRavenHeart Veteran Author Chattanooga Posts:359 Points:41,945 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:32:46 PM Ignore TheRavenHeart Report Abuse Yet another reason to get rid of ethanol...
jad1960 Champion Author Gary Posts:1,575 Points:423,780 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:32:29 PM Ignore jad1960 Report Abuse alright
warlord1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:5,375 Points:1,062,000 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:30:57 PM Ignore warlord1 Report Abuse ok
V8power Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,956 Points:1,407,695 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:30:32 PM Ignore V8power Report Abuse No surprise.
TDIdave Champion Author California Posts:5,193 Points:1,252,215 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:27:03 PM Ignore TDIdave Report Abuse I bet tortillas will be sky high this summer.
stevencr Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,797 Points:1,462,465 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:25:27 PM Ignore stevencr Report Abuse How about not just cutting back, but stop making the crap all together.
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,253 Points:667,885 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:22:12 PM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse we need to reduce/repeal ethanol mandates and find better crops to convert to biofuels than corn.
bigthighs All-Star Author Tucson Posts:550 Points:52,965 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:22:11 PM Ignore bigthighs Report Abuse cut back on corn for fuel make it fuel for cows we need cheap beef
OKRifle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:10,582 Points:1,837,985 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:20:58 PM Ignore OKRifle Report Abuse Good, we won't buy that ethanol crap anyway!
Vitobug Champion Author El Paso Posts:1,979 Points:663,190 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:20:52 PM Ignore Vitobug Report Abuse ok
Bonito Champion Author Dayton Posts:15,916 Points:3,035,595 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:19:20 PM Ignore Bonito Report Abuse Eat corn don't burn it!!!!
diegotoad Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,520 Points:837,910 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:13:00 PM Ignore diegotoad Report Abuse More corn for food.
joko0 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,106 Points:592,340 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:09:06 PM Ignore joko0 Report Abuse Good
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:6,274 Points:1,598,755 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:08:51 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse I'd Rather Eat My Corn Than Burn It Anyway....
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,350 Points:1,599,810 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:07:48 PM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse IT WOULD NOT BOTHER ME ONE BIT IF THEY NEVER MADE ANOTHER DROP OF ETHANOL. IT SHOULD BE BANNED.
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,511 Points:718,710 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:02:01 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse Well good! Get rid of the $hit for the gas tank. Leave it for food or alcohol production instead. Haven't we voted the a$$holes in favour of it out yet?
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,160 Points:1,697,025 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:01:09 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse And how much will this cost when Mr. Obama bails them out?
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:9,846 Points:1,663,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:00:29 PM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse OH! ... do I hear a backfire in our leaders plans? Just don't make US pay for their mistakes.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,265 Points:1,514,580 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:59:24 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse GOOD!!!
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,596 Points:740,215 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:59:14 PM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse Scary facts: Top Ten Facts about Ethanol 1. Ethanol is listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.2. The cost of Reformulated Gasoline with ethanol will increase 3-6 cents per gallons compared to RFG with MTBE.3. Spills of pure ethanol or gasoline containing ethanol from leaking storage tanks can create a benzene plume up to 150% larger than a spill from a non-ethanol fuel.4. Ethanol cannot be shipped by pipeline because of its high affinity for water posing significant distribution costs and hurdles for gasoline blenders.5. According to a study by Cornell University, for every gallon of ethanol produced, 1.4 gallons of energy is consumed in the process, compared to 0.15 gallons used in the manufacture of gasoline.6. It takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol (E-85) to drive as many miles as one gallon of gasoline.7. Every gallon of ethanol removes 53 cents from the Federal Highway Trust Fund because of a special tax break for producers.8. Ethanol increases the vapor pressure of gasoline by 1 psi. resulting in higher evaporative emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, while tailpipe emissions of Acetaldehyde increase 150%.9. Ethanol permeates the hoses and lines of automobile fuel systems resulting in a 50% increase in VOC emissions for pre 1995 cars.10. Ethanol dissolves oxide scale from the walls of pipes and tanks, subjecting the systems to internal corrosion, which leads to leaks.
91Hilux Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,262 Points:707,445 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:57:51 PM Ignore 91Hilux Report Abuse Ethanol is GARBAGE! It rotted out my fuel tank & the pictures are on my profile.
iceman11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,715 Points:536,425 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:55:59 PM Ignore iceman11 Report Abuse hmmmmmm
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,445 Points:1,665,645 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:55:57 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse WHATEVER!
bcfuelsaver Champion Author Vancouver Posts:1,623 Points:246,270 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:50:47 PM Ignore bcfuelsaver Report Abuse ok
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,932 Points:781,555 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:46:14 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse Ethanol needs to go Far Far away......
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,188 Points:1,540,850 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:45:57 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse Poor economy? Not according to obama, its doing just fine. Oh if you work for the obama government.
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:909 Points:73,480 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:44:01 PM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse They need to switch to algae.
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:42:27 PM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse as they well should be!
letterchunker Champion Author Texas Posts:2,335 Points:683,150 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:34:32 PM Ignore letterchunker Report Abuse Just like eddyp94 said, "Corn is for the table, not the tank..." but the table is bare these days. My wife and I help with a local food pantry for the needy. We used to get all the can corn we needed from the big food bank. Not anymore. I believe the food banks are not getting any corn because of the ethanol. Corn needs to go back on the table.
tman70 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,870 Points:758,900 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:34:23 PM Ignore tman70 Report Abuse Ok