And then there is the question of energy independence, which is both an
economic and a national security issue. Relying upon biofuels,
predominantly ethanol, to make ourselves independent of foreign oil is a
false hope. It has far less energy density than traditional gasoline,
meaning nearly twice as much ethanol is required to equal the energy
output of gasoline. We simply cannot convert the land required for
ethanol into cornfields. There isn't enough land in America to do so.
Instead of releasing new mandates for ethanol consumption, Congress and
EPA ought to overturn our artificial dependence upon the biofuel and
begin building clean nuclear-energy power and coal plants, drilling for
oil and natural gas in Alaska and off our coasts, and building more
traditional petroleum refineries. Then we seriously could discuss the
possibility of America's becoming energy independent while working to
clean up air pollution.