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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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Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,844 Points:1,664,895 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:07:37 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse They are the ones who have caused the high prices.
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,592 Points:1,417,505 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:07:30 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse No one should be surprised that ethanol makers are controlling the supply and price by controlling production!
GRUMPY55 Champion Author California Posts:1,666 Points:433,140 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 8:00:38 PM Ignore GRUMPY55 Report Abuse ok
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,134 Points:1,885,580 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:58:24 PM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Close these plants forever.
vibdata Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,181 Points:866,235 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:54:41 PM Ignore vibdata Report Abuse Bring back Temperance. Put booze in that tank. Lots to burn. Never mind making alkiehol with it. Tough enough to find any to eat.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,939 Points:1,870,175 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:51:36 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Idle them permanently.
evowner Champion Author Salem Posts:2,318 Points:385,985 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:51:21 PM Ignore evowner Report Abuse Those 10 "facts" are not true. They are just an oil industry PR PRomo of misleading info.
Tekkersmom57 Champion Author Syracuse Posts:2,014 Points:727,915 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:43:25 PM Ignore Tekkersmom57 Report Abuse With all the facts that WIWalt has stated, WHY is ethanol allowed to continue on? From most of the posts I have been reading on here, no one wants it, yet now they want to shove E15 down our throats!!!! Who has a hold on this???? Doesn't anyone listen? We don't want ethanol, make it go away.
evowner Champion Author Salem Posts:2,318 Points:385,985 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:43:16 PM Ignore evowner Report Abuse Many after market fuel injection cleaners and fuel system cleaners are ethanol based.
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:9,386 Points:1,852,720 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:42:37 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse good
dong1971 All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:660 Points:234,115 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:40:59 PM Ignore dong1971 Report Abuse ok.
whatsregular Veteran Author Albany Posts:322 Points:1,447,865 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:40:43 PM Ignore whatsregular Report Abuse Without subsidies, don't bother with ethanol anymore. good riddance!
firefly09 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,613 Points:740,105 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:40:43 PM Ignore firefly09 Report Abuse Don't use our food for fuel.
PathTrack Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,204 Points:135,055 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:38:47 PM Ignore PathTrack Report Abuse Perhaps the government can find a way to fix this problem they created? NOT!
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:7,333 Points:1,517,240 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:38:18 PM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse Love to see them out of the game forever.
calripken_8 Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,036 Points:685,915 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:37:47 PM Ignore calripken_8 Report Abuse Good - corn should be used as food
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,200 Points:568,860 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:36:18 PM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse I wonder how this will work out.
Rayman71 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,040 Points:656,160 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:34:18 PM Ignore Rayman71 Report Abuse good
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,034 Points:1,101,695 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:33:09 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse Ethanol is nothing but a pollutant that clogs our in take manifolds.
ramshot412 Champion Author Riverside Posts:20,274 Points:2,490,590 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:32:30 PM Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse Just Say No to Ethanol
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,489 Points:2,284,505 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:31:33 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Stop making ethanol, start making food
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:6,298 Points:1,303,435 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:30:44 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Good, get rid of ethanol.
gasmack Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,752 Points:679,840 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:28:25 PM Ignore gasmack Report Abuse PRAY FOR RAIN.
mdskier Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,071 Points:1,809,365 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:26:57 PM Ignore mdskier Report Abuse Nice ADM & their friends get the corn prices jacked thru the roof (for fuel use) Now even they cant afford ethenol for fuel. What about farmers who need it for livestock feed?
RUNNINONEMPTYFL Champion Author Florida Posts:1,408 Points:461,800 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:24:56 PM Ignore RUNNINONEMPTYFL Report Abuse ere we go again...
bigrigAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,818 Points:1,069,860 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:22:31 PM Ignore bigrigAZ Report Abuse Don't need to go over 10% ethanol. Actually 0% would be better. Sorry for the people who have to work in the corn fields etc.... But adding the cost to the gas pumps is not desired.
ManBat12 Sophomore Author Tacoma Posts:140 Points:14,520 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:19:36 PM Ignore ManBat12 Report Abuse ok
WalkingWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:3,754 Points:788,060 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:19:26 PM Ignore WalkingWV Report Abuse no ethanol please
pickledude72 Champion Author California Posts:1,121 Points:841,240 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:19:10 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse We could take all that ethanol and empty the back streets of wine'os and get a better bang for the book
Mustache_33 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:900 Points:181,455 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:19:07 PM Ignore Mustache_33 Report Abuse hmm
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,690 Points:2,648,725 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:18:42 PM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Good news. Get rid of ethanol.
crusty1 All-Star Author Chicago Posts:663 Points:414,460 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:17:59 PM Ignore crusty1 Report Abuse Except for the people working at those ethanol plants, good, let them go out of business.
greenfog Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,625 Points:1,665,745 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:15:56 PM Ignore greenfog Report Abuse Good maybe we will get more real gas.
Ply440GTX Champion Author Texas Posts:1,009 Points:313,555 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:15:56 PM Ignore Ply440GTX Report Abuse ...cut back production...? How about cutting it out of our gas all together??? Failing to renew their subsidies put the pinch on them as corn prices increase. EtOH needs to just go away!!! A horrible idea...
WIWalt Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,852 Points:441,965 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:15:16 PM Ignore WIWalt Report Abuse After reading this by telsaOR I am done with the stuff 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.
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,300 Points:1,764,715 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:15:07 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Ethanol should be for food not cars.
95Vette Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,595 Points:656,455 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:13:06 PM Ignore 95Vette Report Abuse And with the heat and lack of rain here in the midwest will have impact... We need the corn for food products... not the filler for gasoline.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:8,052 Points:1,600,730 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:13:03 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse food is not fuel
Stevedog Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,988 Points:1,972,700 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:12:53 PM Ignore Stevedog Report Abuse Ethanol belongs in cocktails, not gastanks
ok603 All-Star Author Boston Posts:960 Points:584,225 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:11:51 PM Ignore ok603 Report Abuse Who cares
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,842 Points:1,184,595 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:11:44 PM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse Corn for tortillas not for automotive fuel.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,885 Points:1,936,060 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:09:04 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Should not have been in business to begin with. Disaster in motion
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,485 Points:700,815 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:04:50 PM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse ok...
theschmuck Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,035 Points:1,533,785 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:04:18 PM Ignore theschmuck Report Abuse Some interesting reading by 'telsaOR' on the 'Scary facts'.
vcsuksu21 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,514 Points:723,455 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:03:48 PM Ignore vcsuksu21 Report Abuse ok
DaisysMomNC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:959 Points:200,850 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:03:03 PM Ignore DaisysMomNC Report Abuse That's ok - we could do without it anyway.
BeatOPEC All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:870 Points:200,345 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:02:57 PM Ignore BeatOPEC Report Abuse I knew that it was just a passing fad.
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,642 Points:2,328,480 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:02:40 PM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse Ethanol as a motor fuel has been a complete boondoggle except to the corn farmers and processors like ADM. I'm seeing the ethanol bubble as analogous to the events that led up to the panic of 1819 where food supply was short due to the "Year without a Summer" which was caused by volcanic activity. Farmers in the Southern Midwest were not affected so their crops were in very high demand and brought outlandish prices. Encouraged, they borrowed money and bought more land to plant more crops the next year, but the next year, prices had returned to normal and the farmers were left holding the bag, so to speak.
majorben Champion Author New York Posts:7,792 Points:1,588,145 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:01:01 PM Ignore majorben Report Abuse this was bound to happen
ag4ever Veteran Author Houston Posts:311 Points:106,995 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:00:22 PM Ignore ag4ever Report Abuse Why are we filling our cars with food and driving food prices up?
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,848 Points:2,180,900 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 6:59:52 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Sounds good to me, ethanol make my MPG go down hill.
Daddybud Champion Author North Carolina Posts:6,432 Points:1,392,380 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 6:59:30 PM Ignore Daddybud Report Abuse ok.