Fuel made from corn, not as great as it may seem.

     For some, the thought of being able to produce our own renewable fuel is very appealing.  I must admit that I like the sound of having a renewable energy source that helps keep our reliance of foreign oil down.  Here recently corn has been seen as a great way to produce a renewable fuel source known as ethanol.  Now the idea to use corn as a fuel source has been around for quiet sometime, but has recently seen more and more popularity. In large part, do to the rising costs of fuel.  So, what's so bad about a fuel source that is renewable, gives off oxygen as it grows, and help out the American economy?
     Well for starters, it requires fuel to plant and harvest it.  Is the amount of energy required greater than or less than the amount that can be gathered from it?  Then there is the concern about the increase in food costs.  Have you ever looked on the label of what you are eating?  Many products on our shelves have corn in some form or another in them.  High fructose corn syrup, sound familiar?  It is in pop and many other products we use.  Let us not forget it is used in pet food and animal feed as well.  Increased ethanol production equals increased demand in corn, which in turn raises the cost of corn, (enter supply and demand).
     Well then, why not just produce more corn then?  That certainly is an option but, what would producing more corn do to the environment?  Corn growers use nitrates to help fertilize thier crops.  Nitrates then in turn wash out of the soil and enter our water.  Running into our streams and rivers destroying them.  Eventually making it's way into our ocean leaving large areas of water almost lifeless.  Nitrates in the water supply create lower oxygen levels, which in turn kill off fish and other animals that need that O2 in the water.  So, think corn is a great way to get rid of our need for foreign oil and be "greener" too, think again.