Aired on June 12, 2007
The price of beer is on the rise in Germany. The cost of tortillas has jumped in Mexico. American farmers have planted the biggest corn crop in U.S. history. Almost 30% will be used to make fuel, not food.

As prices have soared, American farmers have planted the biggest corn crop in U.S. history. A green fuel success story.

Not exactly. Corn needs three-times the fertilizer of any other crop. And fertilizers are a major source of greenhouse gases.

Ethanol boosters say the solution is to make it from cellulose, prairie grass and farm-waste. But the technology for that is years away. Nevertheless, ethanol boosters aren't hard to find these days. Ethanol has become big, big business.

In both Canada and the U.S., billions of dollars in biofuel subsidies are being doled out mostly to the pockets of agri-business giants. And there's no end in sight. Because, despite all of its problems, ethanol has positioned itself as a key component of US energy security.

Avi talks to Jim Woolsey best known for his work as director of the CIA in the 90s, and co-chair of an oil and security advisory board. He'd like the U.S. to break its dependency on Middle East oil.

свернуть