Energy and farmland values

March 5, 2008
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You probably arenâ??t begrudging farmers and others for the record farmland prices theyâ??re enjoying.

But those prices wouldnâ??t be so high if the ethanol plants popping up across Indiana and elsewhere in the Midwest werenâ??t using so much corn.

Now weâ??re feeling an unintended consequence. Expensive grain is contributing to the recent uptick in inflation as prices for food and other products made from grain pick up speed.

Is our increasing reliance on ethanol wise energy policy?
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  • I still feel comfortable having Ethanol as an energy source. It brings revenue back to Indiana and the Midwest. Now, if the farmers are wise enough, they will pass the wealth on in their spending habits with the rest of the Midwest, it will trickle down through our economy.

    On the health concern. I have three points I would like others to address...
    1.) Renewable speed of Ethanol vs Renewable speed of Traditional Unleaded gas.

    2.) Short term and Long term Effects on our enviorment on the Ethanol vs Unleaded.

    3.) Cost of food (vegies, grains, and meat) production vs the cost of shipping with the new Ethanol gas.
  • If the same effort to produce energy from corn were directed toward using the grass mown along interstate highways each year, we wouldn't have to see the spike in corn prices and having land costs escalate.

    We simply cannot generate enough energy from corn (1 crop per year) to justify the long term effort compared to the measly percentage difference it makes in reduction of the use of oil and derivatives.

    Mow the grass on a regular basis and use it to get more bang for the buck.
  • Can we get Ethanol gas from Grass clippings? If so, that is one of the biggest investments that will have high output.

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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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